Barbara Lussier has been sewing since she was a youngster.
Now the Methuen resident is using her talent at St. Michael’s Parish in North Andover making baptismal garments, repairing altar cloths and other liturgical garments.
For that and much more, Lussier received the Cheverus Award from the Archdiocese of Boston. She was among 102 people from throughout the archdiocese recognized last November. The prestigious award is named after Jean-Louis Lefebvre Cheverus, the founding bishop of Boston.
“This is my faith, my family and my community which has kept me going through the years. I’m happy to contribute in whatever way I can,” she said.
At St. Michael, Lussier serves as sacristan at weekday and weekend Masses, tends to linens used for Mass and brings Communion to patients at Lawrence General Hospital and the home-bound.
Lussier also coordinates Eucharist ministers for Mass and to bring Communion to those who cannot go to church. She is part of the St. Elizabeth Hospitality Ministry helping set up, serve and clean up at church events.
Lussier said she lives by the passage from Micah 6:8: “To walk humbly with your God.”
Lussier, 83, was a member of Sacred Heart Church in South Lawrence. She and her late husband Lucien joined St. Michael after Sacred Heart closed in 2005. Lucien passed away in 2019.
Lussier is a retired teacher who taught at Tenney High School and also worked as a technical writer.
She works at Angel Sewing and Quilting in Salem, N.H.
Lussier has three grown children – Laurie Lussier Keegan, Paul and Kenneth – and eight grandchildren.
Three other Methuen residents received the Cheverus Award this year: Eileen and Larry Giordano of St. Lucy’s Church and Caroline Beaudoin of St. Monica’s.
