Led by the Spirit, New Finance Director Joins SFSM

When Chris Scheu saw the job listing for Finance Director on the St. Francis Seraph Ministries website, he instantly recognized it as a bit of divine intervention.

“I was like, ‘Wow, Holy Spirit! Come on over!” Chris says. “This was meant to be.”

Chris, who built his career in the construction industry, has always spent much of his free time volunteering, including in the Mother Teresa of Calcutta Dining Room. He’d long wondered about transitioning to the nonprofit world and had looked for openings on the Archdiocese of Cincinnati website many times. When he saw the SFSM position, he couldn’t wait to apply.

He started the job in early November and is delighted to be using his skills to help people who often have nowhere else to turn.

“Everything at SFSM is centered around what we can do to help the folks who need help,” Chris says. “That just fires me up. That’s the mantra of the Franciscans: helping the poor. There’s nothing more rewarding than to help people.”

Chris, a lifelong Cincinnatian who attends Guardian Angels Parish, is a member of the Knights of Columbus. He has gone on mission trips with the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur and has also volunteered with City Gospel Mission.

He is a devoted FC Cincinnati fan who loves to go to games with his wife and two daughters, in addition to spending time with his new grandchild.

Aside from his family, what Chris is most passionate about is service. He begins each day by going to Mass. “That gets my chainsaw running,” he says. “Then I just think of what I am doing and how I can help people. In finance, I’ve always held the belief that it’s a department of service. Now to extend that to helping others in need, it just makes it a big plus-plus for me.

“I am just so happy to be here. I think it was God-driven.”