Harry Mueller stumbled into his volunteer role 'by accident' but now encourages others to participate in 'joyful experience'
NOVI, MICHIGAN — Hundreds of volunteers serve throughout the Archdiocese of Detroit, welcoming fellow Catholics, other Christians and even the wider public to experience the Catholic Church of southeast Michigan.
One of these volunteers is Harry Mueller, 76, of Holy Family Parish in Novi, who has been a parishioner since 2023 and became a volunteer shortly after, "by accident."
"I was 'parish shopping' and noticed that when I went into other churches, people would smile, but nobody would actually talk to me,” Mueller told Detroit Catholic. “When I walked into Holy Family, I was greeted, and I thought, 'This is the parish for me.'"
One Sunday, the regular greeters weren't there — so Mueller stepped up.
"Soon it became official, and because I'm retired, I started greeting every time I go to Mass," Mueller said. "Since then, I just go wherever I'm needed — whether that's leading a table for the Alpha program, helping out in the kitchen, or sponsoring candidates in OCIA. It's really rewarding."
Over time, Mueller befriended many of the pilgrims he helped welcome to Holy Family. Some encounters stand out, Mueller explained.
Mueller recalls being approached by a woman who had been away from the Church and now wanted to return.
“She came up to me, saying she had been baptized and received her first Communion, but she wanted to come back," Mueller said. "I told her that was great and introduced her to one of the OCIA team (members). She joined 'Exploring Catholicism' (an inquiry phase of OCIA), was confirmed last year, and this year she's working alongside us with her own candidate. It's great to see somebody progress through their faith like that."
Ever since becoming a greeter, Mueller said he is recognized wherever he goes.
“I've made a lot of friends, and everyone knows me," Mueller said. "It's funny — I'll walk into Home Depot, and somebody will say, ‘Hi Harry, how's everything?’ It's a joyful experience.”
Mueller expressed his hope that more of the faithful throughout the Archdiocese of Detroit would join him in volunteering to be the face of welcome for those visiting its churches.
“Frankly, I think more people should volunteer," Mueller said. "People ask me why I do this, and I tell them I get a lot of joy out of it. I'm happy to help, but I genuinely get more out of it than I put into it. You can't buy that kind of joy. If you want to meet many people and make many friends, you should volunteer. Because that's exactly what will happen.”
Do you know a hero volunteer? Tell us!
This article is part of a series about the hero volunteers who keep our parishes running. If you know a super volunteer who should be featured in Detroit Catholic, please email story tips to [email protected].
