Atkinson nun finds a new ministry at Haverhill doughnut shop

From the Eagle Tribune;

Atkinson nun finds a new ministry at Haverhill doughnut shop

By Eric Parry eparry@eagletribune.com

HAVERHILL — If there are coffee and doughnuts in heaven, Sister Rachel Dumont will feel right at home.

Just about every morning, the Sister of Mercy drives from her Atkinson home to Heav'nly Donuts in Haverhill to talk and pray with people. She considers her morning ritual her ministry and has helped countless people with a story and a laugh.

"I just sit and chat, and people come over to me," Dumont said yesterday.

She moved from table to table, greeting everyone with a smile and a handshake.

Two weeks ago, she met with a soldier had just returned from Afghanistan. Dumont told his mother before he left in October that if she prayed for him every day, he would stay safe.

"He came back without a scratch on him," she said.

Recently, Dumont met a group of unemployed construction workers. They used to go to a bar in the afternoon, but after they met Dumont for a cup of coffee, they changed their ritual.

"Now they come in every other day," she said.

Dumont, a Sister of Mercy, has been a nun for more than 50 years. She was a teacher for 30 years, working in schools across New Hampshire, Massachusetts, California and Iowa.

She said she was sad to end her teaching career due to health reasons, but has loved every minute of her ministry. When she's not at the doughnut shop, she's helping people in other ways.

Earlier this week, she cleaned an elderly couple's yard. She volunteers at the Haverhill Crisis pregnancy center and local hospice centers.

Dumont first walked into Heav'nly Donuts during the 2008 ice storm.

It was one of the only places along Route 125 open and selling coffee. She said stayed all day, helping to sell coffee. She hasn't been able to stay away since.

Owner Elaine Saragas said she enjoys having Dumont and the other regulars come in every morning for their coffee and doughnut.

Dumont has even helped some of the employees with their problems.

One woman recently became pregnant and was considering an abortion before talking to Dumont. She said she continues to talk to the girl now, after her baby was born, and helps her buy diapers and other items whenever she can.

Saragas recently cleaned out her closet to donate some clothes at Dumont's request.

"She will help anyone here," Saragas said.

But the conversations aren't always serious. Dumont's smile and sense of humor make the daily ritual fun and entertaining.

"We didn't believe she was a nun at first," said Linda Baxter of Haverhill, one of five cancer survivors who meets regularly at the shop.

It's not just Dumont who draws the regular crowd.

A couple from Plaistow said they come three times a week because of Saragas' hospitality.

"If you come in here two days in a row, Elaine knows what you want and has the coffee and doughnuts waiting for you when you walk in the door," the woman said.