May 22, 2013

By Michelle Beagle
Staff Writer

Port Leyden  – Upon meeting Deacon Jim Chaufty and his wife, Christine, the first thing you notice are eyes that twinkle and engaging smiles. 

Together they serve the southern Lewis County parishes of St. Martin’s, Port Leyden; St. John’s, Lyons Falls; St. Mary’s, Constableville and St. Mary’s Nativity, West Leyden.

The Chauftys also hold full time jobs - Jim  as park supervisor at Whetstone Gulf State Park in Houseville, and Chris as stenographer / high school principal secretary at South Lewis Central School. 

Four years ago Jim was ordained a permanent deacon for the Diocese of Ogdensburg.  Becoming a deacon requires four years of extensive study including monthly weekends of formation.  Wives are included in the learning experience. 

Chris is involved with Altar and Rosary Society of St. John’s in Lyons Falls, music ministry for St. John’s and St. Martin’s, communion calls, church dinners and transportation for those who need a ride to Mass.  

When there is a need in the local community, Chris steps up by organizing fund raisers and benefits. 

As a secretary at the local school her charisma and respect for the students is showered on the many who pass through the office doors.  Chris keeps a loving watchful eye on the students and helps insure a positive learning environment.

As a deacon, Jim serves at all four churches on the weekends assisting Father Lawrence Marullo and leading the congregation in song. 

He presides over baptisms, weddings, funerals, leads the Stations of the Cross, holds communion services, visits the sick and shut-ins, and assists with Divine Mercy celebrations at St. Hedwig’s parish in Houseville. 

Together the Chauftys help coordinate and hold classes for the Why Catholic Program. They have attended the rosary rally in Albany, and are involved in a prayer chain. 

They both completed the diocesan Formation of Ministry program and found it to be “eye opening” as the tenets of the faith were explored and probed in depth. 

Jim is a member of the South Lewis Chapter of the Knights of Columbus and has served in a variety of positions within the Knights. 

In August of 2012 Jim and Chris had the opportunity to travel to Anaheim, CA for the Supreme Convention of the K of C. 

One must step back and see where this love story began - a love for God, community and each other. 

Jim’s paternal grandmother taught him how to say the rosary at age six.  Upon making his first communion Jim would often daydream about being a priest.  He actually was an altar server with now Father Stephen Rocker.

Chris’ recollection of learning about faith also goes back to age six.  Her mother guided her in the faith, and even though her father was non-Catholic he made sure that the children received a Catholic education and went to Mass. 

Jim relayed a comical memory of going to confession and penance.

When he was growing up, he was expected to go to confession on Saturday evenings.  One time his mother dropped him off for confession and upon receiving his penance was told to recite a decade of the rosary.  The youngster thought decade equals ten and thus dutifully set out saying ten rosaries. 

His mother came in looking for him when he was on his eighth rosary and explained that Father meant ten Hail Mary’s not ten rosaries!       

Jim and Chris actually met in church. Msgr. Paul Whitmore had asked Jim to sing one song at an Easter Vigil and that evolved into more singing at Masses.  One day Msgr. Whitmore approached Jim and told him there was someone who would also like to sing at Mass.  Jim was not sure about it, but eventually agreed to have another join in.

The other singer happened to be Chris.  As they sang at Masses they sang from the heart and discovered things in common. 

At their wedding they did their own singing, and those in attendance remarked how it was like a fairy tale wedding.

With their myriad of responsibilities they often end up going in opposite directions but they have a few rules for their marriage: both rise at 5 a.m. to start their day and gather at the kitchen table for morning prayer. When possible they sit down and share the evening meal together, always say a blessing before a meal.

And, like in the book of Tobit, upon bedtime they kneel as a couple in prayer.