That’s why it’s not unusual for pastors to make themselves available when their parishioners need guidance or just someone to talk to.
And for the members of St. Teresa’s Catholic Church, the Rev. Raymond G. Levreault is an ideal choice for just such a situation.
“What makes Father Ray such a great spiritual leader is that he is never too busy to talk with his parishioners,” church member Angel Bradford wrote in her Faces of Faith nomination of Levreault.
Plus, the associate pastor can identify with what parishioners are going through when they seek his counsel.
“I came into the ministry as a second career,” Levreault said in a recent interview at St. Teresa’s. “Before that, I had 22 different jobs in 19 years.”
Those jobs ranged from working as a professional truck driver to working with youth and driving a school bus.
With so many bends in the road, and the emotional highs and lows that can accompany them, the typical response might be to acquire a defeated attitude. But Levreault doesn’t look at it that way.
“All of those things have helped me in my own ministry,” the Franciscan University graduate said.
For almost a year, that ministry has consisted of serving in the Good Life City in a number of capacities. That includes everything from conducting weddings and baptisms to leading St. Teresa’s Spanish Vigil every Saturday night or working with the church’s active seniors program.
“I do whatever the day is calling for,” Levreault said. “Some days, you can have a wedding, a funeral and a Bible study all in one day.”
It also includes taking an active role in the church’s youth program.
“He is very active in the Catholic Youth Ministry, where he can be found almost every Sunday night,” Bradford wrote.
Levreault is also proactive. Although he’s been in Albany just shy of a year, the youngest of four children has implemented new programs at St. Teresa’s.
“He has started WOW, which stands for Worship on Wednesday on Wednesday nights,” Bradford wrote of her associate pastor, “which involves Bible study and discussion with Mass.”
A Rhode Island native, Levreault’s involvement in ministry originated many years before he felt called to be a pastor.
“I was always involved in church ministry,” said Levreault, who obtained his master’s degree in theology from Blessed John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Mass.
When he came to Albany in July 2007, Levreault did so after serving two years at a church in Savannah.
Transitioning to the Peach State may have been a major decision for the associate pastor, but it’s one that came with no regrets.
“He led me to Georgia,” Levreault said.
St. Teresa’s own ministry in Southwest Georgia dates back much further than its associate pastor’s.
“It dates back to 1859,” Levreault said.
Work on the original structure actually started in August 1859 on Residence Street.
“During the first half of this (20th) century, St. Teresa’s was the center of the largest Catholic mission area in the United States, covering over 22,000 square miles in south Georgia,” states the church’s history.
In 1958, St. Teresa’s moved to its current location on Edgewood Lane. But the original structure continues to be used.
“Mass is celebrated here once each week and on holy days and special occasions,” the church history states.
A few years ago, renovations were completed to meet the needs of St. Teresa’s still thriving congregation, whose members extend well beyond the borders of Albany.
“It covers five counties,” Levreault said, explaining that about 1,000 families in Southwest Georgia are actively involved at St. Teresa’s. “That’s about 4,000-5,000 individuals.”
That may be a large number. But Levreault and the rest of the ministerial staff at St. Teresa’s makes sure they’re all cared for.
“From prenatal to post-death,” he said.
• PASTOR: The Rev. Ray Levreault
• CHURCH: St. Teresa’s Catholic Church
• ESTABLISHED: 1859
• ADDRESS: 421 Edgewood Lane, Albany
• SCHEDULE: Weekday Mass at 8:30 a.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, as well as noon Wednesdays in Old St. Teresa’s Catholic Church location, Saturday Vigil at 5:30 p.m. in English and 7:30 p.m. in Spanish, Sunday Mass at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m., Sacrament o Reconciliation 4:30 p.m.-5:15 p.m. Saturday
• FOR MORE INFORMATION: Call (229) 439-2302 or visit www.stteresaschurch.org