Milwaukee Catholic Herald – Vocations 1-16-03

TRUCK STOP CHAPLAINS — Inside the Petro Lube truck stop in Racine County, Jim and Judy Francois offer a ministry of presence. They also offer free reading materials, including Bibles, for truckers who may not feel comfortable talking to them. (Photo by Sam Lucero)

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STURTEVANT — The Iron Skillet Restaurant is not a place that makes you think of prayer. There is the constant clatter of dishes, the rapid pace of waiters and waitresses moving between the tables, and the flurry of activity by customers getting up to serve themselves at the buffet, all accompanied by the music playing softly in the background.

This atmosphere is not one where you'd usually find chaplains. But Judy and Jim Francois don't find any of that a deterrent in their mission to reach out to the ever-changing population of truckers who come here to rest and relax on their long road trips away from home.

The Francoises' willingness to serve as chaplains at such an unusual place is not surprising. Most of their lives have been service oriented beginning with their marriage 45 years ago. As they raised their 11 children, they continued to volunteer as CCD teachers, helping out on teen-age retreats, and doing vocation talks for fifth and sixth graders. From there they progressed to the F.O.C.U.S. program for engaged couples and also volunteered as site managers one night a month at a homeless shelter; both of which they continue to do.

In between all of this, Jim was ordained a deacon in the Milwaukee Archdiocese and Judy became a pastoral minister.

But it was also during those busy years that their faith was tested. Their daughter, Suzanne, died in 1969 of cancer, at age 6. Their son, Peter, died of AIDS in 1993. Each death brought about a deeper sense of compassion toward others for both Jim and Judy. Reflecting back on those difficult times, Jim explained, "Our faith got us through it."

That enduring faith is what motivated Jim and Judy to take a deeper look at the truck stop ministry after Jim's retirement in August of 2001. Both he and Judy heard of this truck stop ministry from another deacon, Dave Zimprich. "The original idea of putting chaplains in truck stops was a decision made by the U.S. bishops' Committee on the Diaconate", Jim explained. "There are chaplains in airports, hospitals, prisons and train stations; why not put one in a truck stop?"

Initially, the committee tried out two test sites in Pennsylvania. It met with such a positive response that the ministry has been expanded nationwide. According to the brochure on the Catholic Truck Stop Ministry, "It is difficult for truckers to be part of a faith community where they can participate and worship with others due to their long road trips. By having deacons who volunteer to be chaplains at designated truck stops, church can be brought to these people on the move."

So for over a year, every Thursday evening, Jim and Judy have been continuing their life of service and offering to share their faith with the truckers who visit this oasis on Interstate 94 and Highway 20. "We try to give them a sense of importance by offering them a support system which includes a compassionate shoulder and a non-judgmental attitude. I also like to show them a sense of humor," explained Judy, who is also affectionately referred to as the Trucker Babe.

As chaplains, Jim and Judy make themselves available to whomever wishes to speak with them. They identify themselves by wearing name tags and/or shirts that say "chaplain." They greet people as they walk through the restaurant and the adjoining gas station and mini mart.

"We never push ourselves on people," Judy explained, "We just walk by the table and greet them. You can pretty much tell by how they respond as to whether or not they are interested in talking. Some greet us and put their heads back down to finish reading their paper or eating their dinner while others will encourage us to sit down with them and talk."

According to Jim, once the Francoises sit down, the truckers make their needs known. "When we first started coming here, we were surprised at the number of truckers who carried Bibles with them and were willing to share their faith with us. Then there are those who ask us to pray with them or just need us to listen their problems in life."

Those problems could consist of family problems, substance abuse, or just the stress of life on the road.

In their role as chaplains, Jim and Judy create a unique spiritual connection with the over-the-road truckers. This connection allows them to share their faith with one another regardless of religious denominations. Although Judy admits with a laugh that "some of the truckers are Southern Baptist and can quote the Bible better than I can," neither Francois sees that as a barrier to relating to the truckers.

Inside the rest area where the truckers can rest, make a telephone call, take a shower or watch a movie, the Francoises have placed a cabinet full of Bibles and other pamphlets that are free to the truckers who are interested. So even if Jim and Judy do not have an opportunity to speak with every trucker who arrives there, they make materials available to all who pass through. They hope that the truckers will not only be physically relaxed and rested after their stop but also spiritually renewed for the long and lonely road ahead.