Sandra Gagnon – Bio
Sandra Gagnon - Director of Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
Sandra Gagnon became a Catholic and Parishioner of St. James in 1995. Prior to joining the St. James family, Sandy attended Liberty Christian Church. She began volunteering with the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults), that same year, under the leadership of Ann Tucker. She became the director of RCIA in 1997 and continues in that position to the present. She says that for her, St. James is home. Her children, grandchildren, and she have celebrated both joy and sorrow with our St James family. There have been baptisms, confirmations, funerals, weddings, reconciliation, ordinations, anointing of the sick, sharing the Eucharist, and one very special wedding. She met and married her beloved Gene at St. James, and although their earthly life together was brief, he remains very much a part of her and her ministry. Together they had the privilege of journeying with many catechumens and candidates, and witnessing their joy upon reception of the Sacraments of Initiation. They also witnessed many of their weddings, birth of their children, and continuing growth in the faith. Gene’s spirit continues to keep her focused on opening her heart, and saying “Yes” to Jesus, wherever that yes leads her.
Sandy holds a Master’s degree in Pastoral Studies from the University of Loyola – New Orleans. She taught in the Life and Physical Science Departments, at Penn Valley Community College, for nearly 30 years. She also did research and taught at Kansas University Medical Center and the University of Missouri-Kansas City. However, she confesses she has been a loyal MU Tiger since she was very young, and finally fulfilled a long time goal when she attended MU-Columbia and received her doctorate in 1990. She says, “I was a bit slower than many people in reaching this goal, but I postponed my education to live in Germany, and to raise three children, Julie, Kurt, and Ross. And as a Gagnon I am blessed with three additional children, Jim, John, and David, and together Gene and I shared 12 beautiful grandchildren.”
Sandy lived in Liberty from 1974 until 2011, when she and her husband built and settled into their new home, on a small acreage two miles east of Paradise, MO.