When the Mitton family moved to Tulsa from Pennsylvania in June last year, they were invited to join Holy Family Cathedral. Upon visiting our parish, Charlie Mitton was especially taken by the church’s physical presence.
“I really appreciated the beauty of the church,” she says. “I grew up with a similar experience. The beauty struck me when I walked in, and the kindness and the smiles are some of the reasons why we stayed.”
While still fairly new to our parish community, Charlie has found herself already involved in a few different activities and ministries in the parish. She first got involved with Confraternity for Christian Mothers and is now a board member. This experience has helped her grow spiritually.
“Being a stay-at-home mom and having the Confraternity has helped me delve into every action of mothering,” she says. “That probably helps me in my attitude in service, knowing the things I’m doing are sanctifying and for the honor and glory of God.”
From there, Charlie began helping out as an assistant catechist for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. While she is not currently serving there, her daughter, Catherine, is a participant in the program.
Charlie also serves in leading a small group of women overcoming betrayal trauma, having previous experience in this line of work, for women whose spouses have pornography addiction or infidelity issues.
As a stay-at-home mother to a young child, Charlie recognizes she has a unique opportunity for involvement in the parish community. She appreciates having had people help her find ways to get involved and the welcoming atmosphere of our church. Growing up, she saw her parents actively serving in their parish community and it has become a priority for her and her husband.
“Service has been a part of our lives,” she says. “When we became new parents and had the experience of COVID in 2020, we lost a large part of that in our personalities, so in the move to Tulsa, we’ve gained that back.”
Charlie enjoys connecting with others and reaching out to serve in the community. She has appreciated the ability to work with people who come from different backgrounds and experiences. While she desires to busily go around helping others, she also believes her service has helped her become more contemplative and prayerful in her vocation as a mother and wife. Charlie seeks to discern where she gives her “yes” in her service to others outside of the home, choosing to give where she can.
“The parish itself is so good at placing you exactly where your skills and talents are,” she says. “The ‘yes’ is all the parish really needs in order to best use you.”