June 5, 2009
People of Faith
By Wisdom a house is built and through understanding it is established; through knowledge it is filled with rare and beautiful treasures.
— Proverbs 24:3
People of Faith is a new feature in a familiar frame. Steve Halbig, writing for the Message, will ask a series of questions of people in the diocese — some who have reached the “age of wisdom” and some who are younger. All will share stories of their faith.
Name: Mary Pat Hubert
Parish: Corpus Christi, Evansville
Number of children, grandchildren: 9 children, 32 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren
Have you lived in Southern Indiana all your life? No. I also lived in Sterling, Ill., a farming community in Northern Illinois. After attending Catholic grade and high school, I went to the College of St. Teresa in Winona, Minn., where I met my husband. He had just returned from service in Japan and was attending St. Mary’s University.
Tell us a few things about yourself: I am a registered dietitian, now retired. After obtaining my degree, I completed an internship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. I have three brothers and no sisters. My parents and grandparents were all Catholic.
What are some of your earliest childhood memories? We played outside, could hardly wait to “get up and go out.” We had so much fun — children miss so much today; they lack imagination. We loved ice skating and sledding, roller skating to school, ball games in the vacant lots.
What are your memories of World War II? We would walk down to the railroad station and “see the boys off.” They were tough times but everyone was totally for the war effort. It was so bad to read the paper every day and find pictures of boys who would never come home . . . and the banners in the windows became gold star banners! Fathers, brothers, classmates . . . the losses were terrible. We do not know real patriotism today.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a nurse, but when I attended the College of St. Teresa, I decided being a dietitian would better suit me.
Who influenced you growing up? My mom and dad both influenced me, but I believe my dad did the most. We often went to Mass daily together. He was a dentist.
Who do you consider to be the best role models today? There are few good role models. I really can’t think of any . . . St. Ann for me.
Describe how your faith helped you through a difficult time in your life: I had a wonderful husband who shared my faith and kept me strong. Without him, and his support, we could not have reared 9 beautiful children. Prayer was the answer — faith and daily prayer.
Do you have any hobbies? How do you stay active? I guess life in itself is my hobby. I like most everything, especially gardening. I love to read and watch the birds. I used to make all my girls clothes but no longer need to sew so much — just have to keep busy.
What is your first memory of church? We always went to church — Sundays, holy days, weekdays — and had to sit in one of the front pews. We had pew rent then and our pew was up front. Now I know why I love the front of the church.
What do you like most about being Catholic? I don’t see how people “make it” today without their faith to help them through rough times . . . and good times. I cannot imagine being anything but Catholic.
Of those things that are possible to change in the Catholic Church, what would you change? I like the full participation of all the faithful during the Mass. I hope the Church never goes back to the Latin Mass with no participation. We also need to seek out our young people and get them active and interested.
If you could make one change in your community, what would it be? We live in the greatest country in the world and we can overcome anything. We must pray, pray, pray and conquer the subtle attacks on our faith.
Do you have a favorite saint? A favorite religious item? St. Anne, mother of Our Blessed Lady, is my favorite saint. She has guided me through life as long as I can remember. A favorite religious item is a rosary that my dad brought from Lourdes.
Any regrets in life? Absolutely not — live for tomorrow. I would not change anything.
What is your best wisdom on life? Be happy God is always there to help you. Just ask, trust in God and his almighty wisdom. He likes to be asked to help.