After nearly three decades in the classroom, Marc Lenzini wasn’t ready to stop teaching—or connecting with people. Instead, he found a new classroom in the heart of Catholic Charities, serving families at Marisol Family and the Little Flower Assistance Center.
Marisol Family provides life-affirming support to mothers, fathers and young children through services like pregnancy support, parenting resources and essential items such as diapers and baby supplies. The Little Flower Assistance Center, one of Colorado’s busiest food pantries, serves individuals and families facing food insecurity by providing groceries and basic necessities to those in urgent need.
Marc began volunteering with Marisol Family about three to four years ago, first at the St. James location and now at Queen of Peace on Saturdays. About a year ago, he also joined the Little Flower Assistance Center, where Wednesday afternoons quickly became a favorite part of his week.
“It’s a fantastic group of people,” Marc says. “There’s such a strong sense of community among the volunteers.”
Before retiring, Marc spent nearly 30 years teaching at Bishop Machebeuf High School, primarily theology. His connection to Marisol Family began through former students and colleagues already involved in the ministry. What started as occasional service days with his students eventually became a personal calling.
In a full-circle moment, when Marc arrived for his first day volunteering at Marisol Family, his “first boss” was Elizabeth Vergil—now director of Marisol Family. Elizabeth had once been his student.
“I knew the work they were doing. And when I retired, I just wanted to be part of it however I could.”
Marc’s commitment to service extends far beyond his time at Catholic Charities. In 2010, he was honored by Pope Benedict XVI with the Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice—one of the highest awards a Catholic can receive. The award, which translates to “For the Church and the Pontiff,” recognizes sustained and exemplary service to the Church. For those who know Marc, the honor comes as no surprise. Even in retirement, his dedication to serving others continues to define his life.
That same spirit of curiosity and connection led Marc to begin noticing something remarkable while serving at the Little Flower Assistance Center. As part of the intake, clients are asked to share their country of origin, and week after week, he was struck by the diversity.
“I was amazed at how many countries I had come across in just a few months.”
Curious, he started keeping a list. He began asking clients at Marisol Family as well—many of whom he had come to know over the years, some even following services from St. James to Queen of Peace.
The number kept growing.
Today, Marc has documented 31 countries—and counting.
From Afghanistan and Mexico to Côte d’Ivoire and even Tajikistan, each name on the list represents a story, a journey and often unimaginable resilience. “I was just flabbergasted. How in the world did they get here? What did they go through?”
Despite language barriers, Marc has found that connection doesn’t always require words. At Queen of Peace, he greets a woman from Côte d’Ivoire in French using one of the few phrases he knows. She responds in full conversation, both of them aware of the gap yet sharing a moment that brings joy to them both.
“It’s like our little secret,” he said.
Then there’s Margarita Castro, an 83-year-old grandmother caring for six grandchildren. Years ago, Marc accidentally addressed her as señorita instead of señora. She’s never let him forget it and they both laugh about it every time she returns.
“These are the kinds of people you meet. Just wonderful people.”
The Catholic Social Teaching principle Solidarity teaches that we are one human family. By standing with our neighbors in times of struggle, we recognize our shared responsibility to support one another and work toward a more compassionate world.
Marc notes a difference between the two ministries. At Marisol Family, he often sees the same families regularly, allowing deeper relationships to form as parents return for ongoing support. At the Little Flower Assistance Center, the need is often more urgent—and the pace is quicker as volunteers serve large numbers of people facing food insecurity.
“Some of these people are in real danger. They don’t have enough food. They don’t have jobs. Some are afraid of being deported.”
Even in brief interactions, the weight of their experiences is clear. One man he met held a PhD and had published books in his home country—yet struggles to use his credentials in the U.S. Others have fled conflict, persecution or instability, rebuilding their lives from scratch.
“I’m just in awe of their courage. Their love for their families. What they’ve gone through just to stand in front of you… it’s incredible.”
Whether it’s learning new words in Spanish, sharing a smile across languages or recognizing a familiar face from years past, Marc has become a steady presence in the lives of many he serves. And in return, they’ve opened his eyes to the vast, interconnected world that exists right here in our community.
“What a gift it’s been to me. To be around these people… I just can’t get enough of it.” Thirty-one countries. Countless stories. One volunteer who continues to show up—week after week—with curiosity, compassion and a deep appreciation for the people he meets.