1. Your family: My name is Velma Arbizzani, I have been happily married to my husband for 25 years and we have 3 wonderful children together.

2. Hometown & Education: I am a native Texan and claim Del Rio and El Paso as my hometown(s). I am a graduate of Texas Woman's University with a BS in Elementary Education.

3. Favorite part of your job: I love getting to meet and talk with our parishioners, and enjoy helping individuals with their Parish-related needs. 

4. Favorite part of being Catholic: I love that wherever you may travel, Catholic Mass is the same in every language. I love the beauty of the Mass and all the wonderful traditions, the beauty of the Holy Spirit, our Father, the Eucharist and the Blessed Mother. Another thing I love is that more often than not, in my experience, when meeting another Catholic, it's typically an instant connection that sometimes leads to friendship. 

5. Hobbies: Reading, writing, hiking, cooking, crafting, volunteering, spending time with my family and friends, and I LOVE watching period dramas ~ especially British ones!

6. Favorite Food / Favorite Song: My music taste is REALLY eclectic; it spans from Classical (Beethoven & Mozart), to Benny Goodman & Sinatra, to the Beatles & Billy Joel,  George Strait, Andrea Bocelli and everything in between.  (I wasn't lying when I said it was eclectic.) 

7. Fun Fact: I told my mom I had met the man I was going to marry the morning after going out my friends the night prior. I had never said that about any other guy. Ever. Turns out I was right because we've been together ever since going on over 25 years.

8. Dream for St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish: My dream for St. Gabriel is that everyone who enters feels welcome and the very same connection I felt when my family and I attended our first mass here many years ago. It felt like coming home. I'd like newcomers to feel as if St. Gabriel the Archangel is their second home. I pray that our Parish community continues to grow in faith, service, and parishioners.