Long-Lasting Fruit

Margaret, known as Peggy, and Richard Lenz at their parish of more than 50 years, Most Blessed Sacrament Parish in Arlington. (NTC/Rodger Mallison)

You might call Richard Lenz “reserved” for his unassuming service to the Church, or “strong-willed” for the force of his convictions — but never “soft spoken.”

At 97, the longtime parishioner at Most Blessed Sacrament Church felt called to the ambo so that everyone — those who are hard of hearing or seated in the back pews — can clearly hear the Word of God.

“You gotta get some people that speak out loud,” Richard recommended to the church committee nearly 15 years ago.

Leaving his walker at the pew with his wife Margaret, known as Peggy, Richard makes his way up four steps to read the Scripture with a clear and loud voice at least once every month.

A VOW TO UPHOLD

With their firm Catholic upbringing, Richard and Peggy, 95, let nothing keep them from practicing their faith and attending Mass each weekend in person — whether it be age, his debilitating leg injury, or her struggles with dementia. The two have been married for more than 70 years.

“I made a vow to take care of her, and that’s exactly what I’ve done,” Richard said.

Having grown up in a small coal mining town called Gallitzin in the mountains of Pennsylvania, Richard traveled by train each day to receive Catholic education in the city of Altoona. He remembers first catching a glimpse of Peggy while they attended Altoona Catholic High School. She was a freshman, walking down the opposite side of the hall with her classmates.

“I saw her, and I fell in love,” Richard recalled.

Peggy remembers the day of their wedding with clarity.

“The sun, I mean, it was unreal. It was a gorgeous, warm day, just as it was meant to be,” she said.

The two are parents to six children, grandparents of 10, and great-grandparents of two, soon to be four, and 11 step-grandchildren.

MAKING THEIR MARK

The Lenz family moved several times before settling down in Arlington about 50 years ago, after Richard’s job transferred him from New Jersey to Dallas. The family attended St. Maria Goretti Parish briefly before joining their sons for Mass at the University Catholic Community at the University of Texas at Arlington. Then the Lenzes made their way to a newly constructed Most Blessed Sacrament, where they’ve remained.

As the eldest Knight of Columbus of the parish council, Richard has served the local church in several capacities.

“I went to Fort Worth every Thursday at five o’clock in the morning to get the food [for Arlington Charities from] the food bank,” he said. “I went there for 26 years.”

Richard and Peggy also serve in the parish bereavement committee.

“They have been regulars for a long time,” said Karen Donelly, who leads the ministry. “You know, it’s kind of amazing that they are both motivated to do what they can do, and they really seem to look forward to coming out for a luncheon.”

Peggy is known for her spinach florentine casserole and pistachio delight salad, and Richard for his warm welcome as he helps with the plates.

“I have to say he and Peggy are an important part of the bereavement committee,” Donelly said, adding her admiration for the couple’s “acceptance of life as it is and making the adjustments that they need to make over time. I think that’s in their faith, which has helped them through life, so they still are able to do what they can do.”

Donelly first met Richard and Peggy at the Arlington YMCA, where the two would volunteer and share in fellowship with the center’s Special Friends program for adults with disabilities.

“We interacted with them weekly at the YMCA,” said Donelly, whose father-in-law had dementia and was close friends with the Lenzes.
Peggy and Richard enjoyed their time serving there.

“I worked with them for almost 26 years,” Richard said. “I volunteered, and I stayed with them, my special friends.”

“Yes, they don’t forget us,” Peggy added. “It just gives you such a wonderful feeling.”

LIFELONG CATHOLICS

Richard recalls singing in German at Mass as he grew up.

His widowed mother raised her sons firmly in the Catholic tradition, with all six serving as acolytes and singing in the choir.

“I’ve been a Catholic all my life, and Peggy’s been a Catholic all her life,” Richard said. “Even with all of our issues … we don’t miss Mass very often.”

“No, we don’t miss it — it’s ingrained,” Peggy added. 

Holy Days of Obligation, Stations of the Cross, and ministry work with the Most Blessed Sacrament’s Bereavement Committee — they do their best to attend.

A FRANCISCAN

When Father Binoy Kurian, TOR, arrived at Most Blessed Sacrament to serve as pastor in July of 2024, Richard was delighted.

At their first meeting, Fr. Kurian complimented Richard’s reading.

“I told him, ‘Father, I’m a TOR like you,’” he joked, explaining how his studies at Saint Francis University at Loretto had introduced him to several Franciscan friars, many of whom he still considers close friends. Richard and Fr. Binoy quickly found they shared a mutual friend with Father Richard Davis, who taught Fr. Kurian while he was in seminary in India.

Fr. Kurian holds great fondness for Richard. “We’re like buddies,” the pastor told the North Texas Catholic.