November 6, 2009
People of Faith
Church is ‘belonging’
BY STEVE HALBIG
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 of the diocese — some who have reached the “age of wisdom” and some who are younger. All will share stories of their faith.
Name: Faye Hagedorn
Parish: St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Santa Claus
Number of children, grandchildren: Two children, Greg and Gina, and six grandchildren.
Have you lived in Southern Indiana all your life? Yes. I grew up on a farm four miles east of St. Meinrad. After marriage, we lived in Tell City for a few years, then bought a home in Mariah Hill where we lived from 1958 to 1993. We moved to Santa Claus after that.
What are some of your earliest childhood memories? Going to the big Abbey church and all the ceremonies that go with that. When anyone of us celebrated a First Communion or whatever, all our relatives were invited for the occasion. I remember my mom preparing for months ahead of time. Those were always very special memories.
What are your memories of World War II? I have many. I had a cousin killed on Iwo Jima. We were very close to his parents, my aunt and uncle. So we heard stories continually. We always listened to the news and read the paper. We had other cousins in the war. The day the war ended I remember my brothers and dad taking their hats off and throwing them in the air.
In March of 2001, I joined a military group that was traveling to Guam and Iwo Jima. That was one of the highlights of my life. Because of that experience, I was privileged to meet Greeley Wells, the man who carried the flag that was first raised on Iwo Jima. When I was in Ft. Lauderdale several years ago, he and his wife took me to dinner, a very important day in my life. I also remember having to use stamps to buy shoes, sugar, etc.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? I may have thought of hairdressing, but if I could have I probably would have loved to be a designer of clothes. But that really was not an option for me. So if I am reincarnated I will have my label on designer clothes. Ha! I used to sketch a picture of a dress and my Mom would make it for me.
Who influenced you growing up? Definitely my parents. Materially we didn’t have much, but their teachings and unconditional love were very powerful. We also had a neighbor who was a teacher in Terre Haute. She came home weekends and summers. She taught me manners and history.
Who do you consider to be the best role models today? I think it’s really “groups” of people I admire, such as the health professionals who are so dedicated in their work for the purpose of making life better for so many people. I think anyone who is unselfish and positive makes good role models.
Describe how your faith helped you through a difficult time in your life? Faith has always helped me when I’m faced with losing someone close. My faith is helping every day since I lost my husband in May. Praying helps keep life in perspective.
Do you have any hobbies? How do you stay active? I have always been a walker. I try to walk three or four miles several times a week. Some of my hobbies are traveling, reading and doing research on genealogy and history. I also love to have dinner parties.
What is your first memory of church? On Saturday we had to prepare for church on Sunday by polishing our shoes, putting our nickels in our envelopes, etc. And attending that impressive Abbey church.
What do you like most about being Catholic? The belonging. The beautiful ceremonies that take you to a spiritual place. I just experienced that with the funeral of my spouse. Also, all the love and caring of your fellow parishioners are a great comfort.
Of those things that are possible to change in the Catholic Church, what would you change? When I was in Rome I saw such wealth and ceremonies and I wondered if maybe we could relax some of the old traditions and just do more good for the needy.
Any regrets in life? Some but I always tried to do the best I could. As Oprah says, “When you learn better — you do better.”
What is your best wisdom on life? The Serenity Prayer says it all.