By David Karas | Correspondent

In April 2001, Msgr. Joseph C. Shenrock, then-pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Whiting, had an idea.

“(He) had the initiative way back that it was going to be a computer world; he was the one who really started the lab,” said Lura Walters, a parishioner who now serves as the parish’s computer monitor.

Msgr. Shenrock called for the creation of a computer lab in the parish, an initiative to help provide training and support to parishioners seeking to learn how to use and embrace technology.

The project began with a set of computers, which have since been upgraded to incorporate some of the latest technology. Initial funding came from a number of donations, including support from the parish revenue sharing component of the Bishop’s Annual Appeal.

The computer lab began with formal training mechanisms and required a small fee from parishioners, but, Walters said, over time it became evident that some struggled to keep up with the pace of the lessons. In 2002, the Computer User Club was formed and she was asked to take over the lab and help provide more individualized support to parishioners.

“They would have personal help with the computer, but whether the parishioner owned the computer or not, they could come in and use the lab facilities,” she said. “This was good because one could help another, and that is how we kind of grew.”

Today, there is no charge to use the room – though it is open only to those registered in the parish. Walters said that some prefer to bring their own device along to do work – using the wireless Internet connection available there – and seek guidance when needed, while others use the computer terminals provided by the parish.

The lab provides assistance in everything from using a mouse to emailing family and friends, doing research on the Internet to working on reports or letters.

“We are a retirement community,” Walters said of the parish, adding that many of the parishioners who use the lab are seniors looking to do the most basic tasks on a computer.

“What they are mainly interested in is emailing, getting on the Internet and researching information,” she said.

The lab is based in the St. Luke’s room of the Parish Center, and is open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Parishioners are free to come and go as their schedule permits, Walters said.

Walters said that the computer lab has been a hit around the parish – with close to 2,700 parishioners enhancing their technology skills since it opened a little more than 12 years ago.

“A lot of people since then have learned how to use a computer, and sometimes they will only come in if they need some additional information or if something goes wrong with their computers,” Walters said.

She said that the encouragement to learn about technology like computers often comes from the family members of the parishioners.

“Their families really want them to get into the computer,” she said. “Sometimes they will (even) buy them a computer or give them one.”

Walters, 87, says that she enjoys sharing fellowship with other parishioners and helping them learn.

“I feel like I am helping,” she said. “I do try to have real patience, because I know that when I was learning the computer it took me a while before I really started getting it in my head.”

She added that she is always happy to receive news that parishioners take their lab training home with them.

“My reward is when they really learn it, and they come in and tell me that they bought a computer,” she said.