Meet The Staff

Pennie DeGroot - Director

How long have you been a parishioner of St. Laurence? Since 1999 (24 years)
 
Tell us about your family. Husband-Tom  Son-Wes  Daughter-Jacci  Granddaughters – Scarlett and Piper and Grandson – Auggie
 
What is your title?  My title is Director and my responsibilities are to: develop, enhance, coordinate, and maintain ministry programs that serve the needs of our community while offering parishioners opportunities to live their faith through service to others.
 
What draws you to the Social Concerns Ministry?  I’ve always had the heart to want to help others in need. I was inspired by my grandmother at a young age and then by my step-father who had 3 children of his own and then adopted all 5 of us. 
 
What unique gifts do you bring to your job here at St. Laurence? Compassion, understanding, and a passion for serving all of God’s people. 
 
What’s one thing you’ve discovered about SCM that you wish more people knew about? The overwhelming support and love from the parishioners which enable us to help so many people in need in our area. 
 
Anything else?  We have the best volunteers in the world – we couldn’t do our job without them!!

Christine Novia - Outreach Coordinator
How long have you been a parishioner at St. Laurence? 25 years

Tell us about your family.  My husband and I moved here from Boston with our 2 oldest daughters, Alexandrea, who is a teacher in FBISD, and Adrianna who works in the Tech Industry. We then had Alyssa, our only true Texan, who is currently attending Texas A&M. 

What is your title?   My title is the Outreach Coordinator in the Social Concerns Ministry Office. I am responsible for daily incoming requests for assistance, explain the many service opportunities that we offer, and try to help Pennie and Sylvia keep the office running as smoothly as possible.

What draws you to the Social Concerns Ministry?  I am passionate about helping this parish and community. I feel that God has led me to this ministry to serve out the duty of providing whatever is needed whether it's a listening ear, a meal, or just a smile and a hug. I am honored and privileged to witness and be a part of this daily. 

What unique gifts do you bring to your job here at St. Laurence?  I bring the gift of compassion. God put me in this position because he knows that my purpose is to bring my passion to this ministry and create as many positive waves as possible. 

What’s one thing you’ve discovered about SCM that you wish more people knew about?  The amount of donations, money, and aid we are able to collect project by project. It is incredible to watch this parish come together and support each other as well as the community. 

Anything else?  I have been working in the St. Laurence Parish for 21 years. This Parish has been a place I call home since my family and I moved here in 1997.

Sylvia Gutierrez - Workroom Coordinator
How long have you been a parishioner at St. Laurence? Over 15 years

Tell us about your family.  I was born and raised in Houston and moved to Sugar Land 18 years ago.  JD and I were married in October 2004 and we have a beautiful blended family with five amazing kids, Danielle (27), Anthony (26), Christian (24), Kyra (19), Caleb (14), and one grandson, Zachariah (2).

What is your title?  I am the Workroom Coordinator.  I maintain workroom organization, process donations for the various drives and outreach ministries, assist the weekly volunteer groups, and organize and prepare service hour projects. 

What draws you to the Social Concerns Ministry?  I have always been a giving and compassionate person, always willing and ready to help and give to others.  Yet it wasn't until I became involved with Social Concerns that I felt a true desire to serve and love others as Jesus did.  There are many aspects of this beautiful ministry that draw me in, but most of all it's the blessings and the impact Social Concerns has on so many lives that have captured my heart.

What unique gifts do you bring to your job here at St. Laurence?  I truly believe this is where the Lord has called me to use the gifts He has given me - patience, kindness, compassion, understanding, creativity, leadership, and the desire to always have a servant's heart.

What's one thing you've discovered about SCM that you wish more people knew about?  It is because of the amazing generosity and support of the St. Laurence parishioners and volunteers that SCM can help numerous agencies and people in crisis on a daily basis.

Anything Else?  There is always an opportunity to serve others as Jesus calls us to do.  Please take a few minutes to browse the SCM page and see what event and/or need calls to you.