Humans of SteubySTL: Judi

Meet Judi Buncher

If you’ve noticed a flurry of bright smiles, blonde hair, and a positive attitude bubbling around Missouri State University, you might have strolled by Judi, everyone’s favorite book store coordinator- for 15 years running!

When she’s not laying out cute Catholic attire, or organizing epic displays of prayer bracelets and ‘I Love Papa Francis’ campaign buttons, you can usually find Judi rushing around the Jesuit mission office of St. Louis University, wrangling in her family for big home cooked meals, or leading a Catholic women’s book club with her equally energetic friends.

Judi describes going to the bookstore as a way for each teen to bring a part of the conference back with them when they leave. As Judi passionately explained it, “visiting people can go home with a book to read to help them on their spiritual journey. Steuby T-Shirts remind them of that mountain top experience! T-Shirts especially can be a way of evangelization.”

But graphic tees that read “Straight Outta Jerusalem,” aren’t the only conversation starter Judi loves providing. The bookstore holds many of her favorite faith tools, from rosaries and journals, to worship CDs and books. Her favorite one in the store? Three Moments of the Day by Fr. Christopher Collins, S.J. She loves this read because it helps both teens and adults focus three moments of their day on the Sacred heart of Jesus. “It’s all about talking to God and finding out what He really wants from you in your life,” Judi assured. Is it her favorite item for sale in the entire store? We think so.

Quotables

[Steubenville] feels like a little taste of heaven to me, because everyone is united in prayer and song.

Written by Aneliesa Gilpin
Aneliesa is a student at Berklee College of Music, studying songwriting. She loves pop music, exploring Los Angeles, and explaining to people how she can’t hear the letter H. You can find her volunteering on the Reap Team or breaking into spontaneous musical theater numbers with strangers on the street.