Five minutes with … Leah Sutherland

This month the Catholic Voice spent five minutes with Leah Sutherland, Parish Secretary of Sacred Heart Parish Cootamundra.

How long have you been the Parish Secretary at Cootamundra?

I’ve been here for seven years

Had you been a secretary before that?

Not a secretary but I’d always been in Admin.

What differences have you found working for the Church?

You deal with people more. It’s not just a job, it’s not just an office job, it’s more like a vocation.

What do you like most about your work?

Sometimes the person that comes in and sits opposite you really needs someone to talk to. I may be the only person they speak to all day. So you are conscious of being there for the person opposite you and always try to be friendly and helpful.

But every day is different. There’s a wide variety of tasks in the job and you never know what’s going to walk through the door – sometimes it’s something happy, sometimes it’s something sad. But the job is very satisfying and I love it.

What do you like most about Cootamundra?

Cootamundra is only a small town, about 8,000 people, but it’s very friendly. It’s probably an older population, and many of the parishioners are a bit older, but I’m inspired by their dedication to their faith.

Where do you like to go when you’re not in Cootamundra?

Mainly the beach. My favourite spot is actually the Northern Territory.

Favourite Movie?

Legends of the Fall

Favourite singer?

Keith Urban

Favourite book?

I loved the Harry Potter books, and books by Dan Brown.

Favourite Meal?

Family BBQs. We have a lot of family BBQs and I just enjoy them a lot

Favourite motto or inspirational saying?

To know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, that is to have succeeded