Holy Family Parish held its annual Christmas Craft fair on December 15th. Skilled vendors lined the gathering hall selling items ranging from Christmas desserts to jewelry and scared art. With the wide range of craft items, there was the perfect item for everyone in attendance. While perusing the craft fair, friends of Our Lady of Guadalupe Province might have recognized a familiar face. Maureen Schafer, the sister-in-law of Patrick Schafer, OFM., was one of the vendors present at the craft fair.

Just as Fr. Patrick is a pillar to the Catholic community in the South Valley of Albuquerque, Maureen is a pillar to the Catholic community in the Northeast Heights of Albuquerque. Maureen has been a dedicated lay minister at Queen of Heaven parish for over 25 years, with a focus on youth and young adult ministry. Maureen assists Deacon Pilar Garcia, where she is responsible for ensuring the success of four annual retreats, as well as organizing the youth group to attend yearly conferences. It is through these retreats that Maureen has become interwoven into the faith journey of many Catholics in her community, including Rich. Rich shared, "The young adult group at Queen of Heaven was instrumental in forming me to become the Catholic I am today! Thank you Maureen for all that you have done for so many of us."

Her dedication to her parish family is exactly what brought her to the craft fair, where she sold beautiful crosses made by Deacon Pilar. Maureen gladly spent the day selling these crosses because 30% of sales would go back to benefit the youth and young adult groups at Queen of Heaven. Maureen shared that the craft fair was a great success and looks forward to next year.