June 26, 2009
Mother Teresa Christian Service Awards: Accomplishments listed
Editor’s note: Following is a continuation of listings begun May 22, with details for each honoree provided by the nominating parish. Ceremonies were held May 18 at Good Shepherd Church in Evansville.
Scott Harris, St. John the Baptist Church, Newburgh
Scott Harris served as Vice President of Ozanam Family ShelIter board for eight years. He wrote grants and organized fund raising efforts to get the shelter started. He was involved in keeping the shelter up and running years after opening. He still helps provide items for those leaving and making it on their own.
Harris has helped the St. Vincent de Paul for the past 23 years, serving as president of the Holy Rosary Conference and now the St. John the Baptist Conference. He is chairman of the Social Justice Committee and cochairs the Transportation Committee for CAJE.
Stephen and Martha Howard, Holy Family Church, Jasper
Stephen and Martha Howard are nominated because of their willingness to respond to God’s work throughout their lives. They were devoted to volunteering in St. Vincent de Paul work, the Knights of Columbus, and the Ladies Sodality. Stephen is an original member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and has devoted most of his 81 years to serving those less fortunate. Martha helped foreign missions by sewing clothes for children and serving those in need. They have been active members of the Stephen Ministry Program and Eucharistic Ministers for Memorial Hospital. They are an inspiration to many who have witnessed their volunteering time, talents and treasure in service to others. Even upon retirement, they run the St. Vincent de Paul Store in Jasper. Their focus is on helping and serving God’s people without prejudices, just as Mother Teresa had done in Calcutta.
Clara Imlay, St. Martin Church, Chrisney
In 1984 the members of St. Martin Parish adopted St. Ives Parish in Haiti. Deacon David Imlay and his wife Clara became the administrators of the parish effort to help others in need. After David’s death in 1990, Clara continued on with not only the Haiti program, but also as administrator of the Families in Crisis Fund. For over 20 years, Clara Imlay has been the face and the voice of charity for the parish.
Tom and Helen Jones, Holy Rosary Church, Evansville
Tom and Helen Jones have been parishioners of Holy Rosary since 1961. Tom was the first president of the Parish Council and is a collection counter.
Tom has been involved with the St. Vincent de Paul Society for nearly 65 years and Helen since 1961, being the first woman involved at Holy Rosary.
Helen was also involved with the Health Ministry. They both recently signed up to help with the Grocery List Ministry. In addition to their many years of service to St. Vincent de Paul and the Parish, they both have been active volunteers at the Regina Nursing Home.
John and Janie Kempf, St. Anthony, St. Anthony
John and Janie are active members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, John serving as president for the past 13 years and Janie as the initial contact person.
Responding at any hour, they go out of their way to meet the needs of persons seeking help. They are involved in all activities of the Society: making home visits, preparing and distributing fruit baskets, the monthly food drive, providing shelter, arranging for transportation, and serving as an advocate for the poor and disenfranchised.
For the past 23 years they have shown strong support for Special Olympics, serving as volunteer coaches for the past eight years. They are a real friend to anyone in need and exemplify the type of service Mother Teresa so earnestly sought to teach the world.
John Lyons, St. Francis Xavier (the Old Cathedral), Vincennes
John Lyons, besides his active involvement in church and parish activities, has volunteered extensively at the Good Samaritan Hospital, has assisted at the local food pantry, particularly in delivering food to persons and families in need.
He has also assisted with the parish’s annual Christmas and Thanksgiving Food Basket drives for the needy of the community. Photo not available.
Benedictine Sister Beata Mehling, O.S.B., St. Joseph Church, Jasper
Benedictine Sister Beata Mehling exemplifies the spirit of Mother Teresa’s love of Christian service and concern for others by her love and care for adults with special needs. Sister Beata has always been an advocate, especially wanting to make them a welcome part of the community. She teaches life skills and social skills and gets them involved in the parish by becoming volunteers. One person became Eucharistic Minister and she has helped some get jobs. She never says “no” and helps others in any way she can.
Paul Messmer, St. Ferdinand Church, Ferdinand
Paul Messmer is a devoted servant to Christ’s work on earth. He selflessly serves the Lord in countless ways. As a member and officer of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, he has spent many hours helping the less fortunate.
He also dedicates much of his time to the youth as a Boy Scout leader, high school catechist, and leader of Children’s Liturgy of the Word. Currently, he serves as a lector and Eucharistic minister. These examples and many more are a testament of his caring and giving lifestyle that has touched so many lives.
Dan and Virginia Miller, St. John Church, Daylight
Dan and Virginia Miller have been members of St. John, Daylight for 20 years. They are a great asset to our parish.
Dan uses his culinary talents at various events by baking kuchens and pies, bringing his soft ice cream machine to various events, and making home made ice cream and many other things.
Virginia is very involved with our Health Ministry Program due to her background in nursing. She is involved with blood pressure screenings, organizing blood drives and promoting Right to Life. She was instrumental in getting the Gabriel Project up and running in our parish.
Matthew and Sherry Monesmith, Precious Blood Church, Jasper
Matt and Sherry Monesmith are deserving of this award because of their extended outreach and ministry in the community as well as outside of the United States.
They are both liturgical ministers at Precious Blood. They both serve in the Faith Formation of our youth.
Matt coaches softball, soccer and basketball in the community and volunteers his services as an oral surgeon in Haiti.
Sherry volunteers at various Jasper High School activities and other local events.
Steve Muensterman, St. Joseph County, Vanderburgh County
If Mother Teresa were an auto mechanic, she would be a lot like Steve Muensterman.
Steve is a person who goes out of his way to help those in need, especially when it comes to fixing up cars for them. His compassion, mixed with wisdom gained from years of life raising a family, has been a gentle tonic that has worked wonders for many people from those who had a flat tire, a car stuck in the ditch, or have had a car damaged in an accident.
Steve is quick to offer his time and efforts to help those who have suffered from medical challenges or a financial reversal. His humor and good nature make him approachable and easy to work with.
David Payne, St. John, Evansville
David Payne is a humble and devout servant of St. John the Apostle Parish. Studying the Word with parish Bible Study, he also attends Wednesday Rosary and Mass, and is dedicated to weekly Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
David sings in the choir, lectors, is a Eucharistic Minister, and leads the parish St. Vincent de Paul ministry. Unselfishly, David volunteers to do the dirtiest of tasks and always does them with a willing spirit.
Frank and Loretta Roales, Sacred Heart Church, Vincennes
Frank and Loretta Roales are both very active members of Sacred Heart Parish.
Loretta heads up the bereavement ministry and makes all the quilts for our raffles.
They are copresidents of the food pantry in Vincennes, conducting meetings and are contact persons for donations and pickup. They are active members of the Vincennes Relay for Life.
Frank is a volunteer at the Military Museum and helps restore items for the Museum. They are very deserving of the Mother Teresa Award.
Laverne Schitter, St. Mary Church, Ireland
Laverne Schitter has been nominated because of her commitment to the Catholic faith, especially through her devotion to the Blessed Virgin.
Laverne helps the poor, attends daily Mass, belongs to numerous prayer groups, actively participates in the Women’s Christ Renews His Parish, belongs to our St. Anne’s, and sings in our church choir.
In the past, she has served as Eucharistic Minister, and volunteered for the annual picnic.
Besides her devotion to Mary, she assists in planning the annual Deanery’s Divine Mercy celebration at St. Joseph Parish. Laverne is very devoted to St. Mary’s Parish and we are grateful for her generosity.
Francis and Dorothy Schmitt, St. Francis Xavier Church, Poseyville
Francis and Dorothy Schmitt have both been active members of St. Francis Xavier parish since their early married years and have raised five faith filled children who have grown into active church participants.
They have had the joy of mentoring grandchildren and now greatgrandchildren along that journey of faith.
What makes Francis and Dorothy stand out, however, is their daily life. They never turn anyone in need away, whether helping in the fields, or a broken down tractor, meals because of an illness, they are ready to lend that helping hand and a friendly smile. Like a good neighbor. Francis and Dorothy are there! Son, Gary Schmitt, accepted the award for his parents.
Marc Sebastian, St. Joseph Church, Evansville
This nomination is long overdue. Marc Sebastian and his wife were married at St. Joseph Church in 1948, and have been active members ever since.
Marc is also an active member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society since 1964. He is a humble and respected individual with a genuine concern for others, especially the less fortunate. The parish is proud to nominate him to represent our parish for the Mother Teresa Award.
Dorothy Seibert, St. Anthony Church, Evansville
On Thursday afternoons you will see Dorothy Seibert enter Columbia Healthcare Facility. In the last 30 years, she has only missed because of bad weather or illness. The residents look forward to her visits, administering communion, and pushing them in their wheelchairs to Mass.
On Sunday mornings, she visits Pine Haven and Holiday Nursing Homes for Communion services. The Activities Director states, “She touches our lives and really does God’s work. Dorothy shows us her true purpose in life by choosing to visit our residents.”
At 92 she has blessed many people in her life with her smile and her caring ways.
Art Stippler, Holy Spirit Church, Evansville
Art Stippler is an inspiration to our Parish. He always has a positive attitude and willingness to help. He is a Church Sacristan and assists with funerals, morning Masses, weekly visiting the sick and homebound, and is a leader in our St. Vincent de Paul Society visits.
He is one of our “Senior Volunteers” during our Bavarian Turtle candy making process each year.
This year we have started a “Prayer Partner Program” pairing him with a Holy Spirit Student. Art frequently corresponds with his partner and attended Prayer Partner Mass day.
Art has been married to Janice for 62 years and a member of Holy Spirit for 55 years. Art received our Brute Award in 1998.
The award was accepted by sisters Margaret Ballard, Ruth Rice and Bert Julian.
Raymond Thomas, Good Shepherd, Evansville
Ray Thomas has been a member of Good Shepherd since 1984. He belongs to the St. Vincent de Paul Conference and does home visits.
He is active in the Men’s club and has served as Vice President.
He is a Eucharistic Minister at Mass and to the home bound. He takes care of the church candles and helps with church cleaning, and spends many hours helping with the decorating of the church.
Ray is cheerful and friendly, greeting everyone with a smile. He is always willing to lend a helping hand.
Benedictine Sister Joanna Trainer, O.S.B., Sisters of St. Benedict, Ferdinand
After many years of teaching, Benedictine Sister Joanna Trainer was drawn to the needs of the poor.
In 1982 she helped start a soup kitchen, called House of Bread and Peace, that was open only on Saturdays. She helped there each week for over two years. She realized that there was a need for temporary housing for women and children. She believed the House of Bread and Peace could be expanded to serve them, since there was no other housing for women available.
A house was bought with donations and on August 29, 1984 the home became a refuge for homeless women and children. In 2004 a new home was built. Sister Joanna had been the Director for 21 years and, “loved every minute.”
Theresa Volle, St. Philip Neri Church, Bicknell
Theresa Volle has been a parishioner at St. Philip Neri since 1946.
She takes elderly on pleasure trips, shopping, to appointments, visits the sick, brings food to homebound, donates furniture and quilts for various charitable functions, and she maintains a family plot in Bicknell cemetery for a lady who is no linger physically able to do so.
These are just a few examples of her kindness. Known for reaching out charitably to others, Theresa is very deserving of the Mother Teresa Award.
Jim and Bonnie Wannemuehler, St. Philip Church, Posey County
Jim and Bonnie Wannemuehler have been married 48 years and are very deserving of the Mother Teresa Award. Jim is president of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He puts his faith in action by working weekly at the food pantry. He has been a Eucharistic Minister for many years and has a leadership role in other parish committees as well.
Bonnie spends time each week bringing Communion to nursing homes and visiting the sick. She sponsors a child in Chile through CFCA. She is very active in the Legion of Mary Society.
Catherine Weber, Sts. Peter and Paul, Haubstadt
Catherine Weber is a nurse and has been helping care for the homebound residents of Haubstadt for 51 years. She also organizes and makes phone calls for the annual Red Cross Blood Drive.
Over the years, she has been very active in many aspects of parish and community life. She sings in the choir, was an officer of the Altar Society, and cooks meals for the priests.
Leroy Weinzapfel, St. Boniface Church, Evansville
Leroy Weinzapfel is a most deserving recipient of the Mother Teresa Award. He quietly can be seen almost daily volunteering his time around the parish and in the community.
Leroy is a member of the Men’s Club. He is very generous with his time and talent. He exemplifies Mother Teresa by his care and concern for others in need.