Friday March 5th 2021
By Linda Petersen
Intermountain Catholic
SALT LAKE CITY – Crystal Painter has always wanted to help other people. Since her own marriage 21 years ago, she has been particularly interested in marriage and family. When her friend Veola Burchett told her last year that she was planning to retire from her position as director of the Diocesan Office for Marriage, Family, and Pro-Life in October, Painter was immediately interested.
“To me it just felt like it was something I care about,” she said. “I have always been very involved with family, marriage, and life, even at the community level. I was very active in the prolife community here in Salt Lake. “
Maler applied for the position and was hired; Her first day was February 8th.
The painter has been volunteering with Catholic Engaged Encounter in Utah since 1999 when she went through the program with Nathan, now her husband. After training, the two became a moderator couple and served for several years. Since then, they have held various functions in the organization, including as coordinators and most recently as registrars.
The Utah-born painter grew up in West Jordan and attended St. Francis Xavier Parish. The couple now live in Sandy; Both work in the parish of St. John the Baptist, where Crystal Painter has been a catechist since 2014. She is also a member of the parish’s Pro-Life Advocacy Council.
The couple have three children: a son who is a student at the University of Utah, a daughter who is a high school graduate, and a son who is in eighth grade.
For the past five years, Painter has worked as a Service Delivery Manager for a local IT service provider, SOS. She will continue to work part-time for SOS while working for the diocese for 20 hours a week.
“I just feel very called and committed to marriage and family, and I support marriage and family,” said Painter. “I’ve always felt that there is a void after couples get married until they have children, and then they’re ready to go back to church. I just always had the feeling that we have to offer more support to our parishes, families and couples at the diocesan level, but also locally, and simply work as a community to support one another.
“A lot of these couples, especially in the early years of marriage, can be a struggle and at times I feel like they’re traveling alone,” she added.
With the appointment of Pope Francis as the Year of Saint Joseph in 2021 and his renewed focus on the church at home and families, “now is the time to really empower families,” she said.
For the past few weeks, Painter has been researching the position and the resources the diocese is providing to local families. Her goals include updating the office’s websites so that local families can easily access information that can help them, especially while the pandemic continues.
“I hope people know that they can turn to my office if they have any questions or needs about anything – when they are preparing for marriage [or] are in a marriage and need a community enrichment. I’m open to suggestions, ”she said. “I also ask for many prayers in order to be able to do whatever God wants for me in this role.”
Jean Hill, the painter’s supervisor in the diocese who is also director of the Diocesan Office for Life, Justice and Peace, said she was thrilled to introduce Painter to the role of director of marriage and family life. “She brings intelligence, enthusiasm, a solid understanding of our Catholic faith and the ability to respond to people professionally but also with compassion,” said Hill. “Crystal offers skills that will benefit the entire diocese and make a great addition to our diocesan family.”
Burchett retired in October after serving 28 years in the Office of Marriage and Family Life.
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