March 5, 2010
People of Faith
Prayer and grandkids are at the center of life
People of Faith is a Message feature in which Steve Halbig asks 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: Al and Janet Debes
Parish: St. Joseph Church in Vanderburgh County
Number of children, grandchildren: Two daughters, four grandsons
Have you lived in Southern Indiana all your life? Yes. Both were born on the West Side of Evansville.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Al wanted to be a carpenter “like Grandpa.” He works in sales at Superior Ag Co-Op. Janet said the influence of TV made her want to be a movie star. She worked at Mead Johnson for 37 years as an administrative assistant.
Who influenced you growing up? Al said his parents, “especially Pop. He was always helping people. That stuck with me.” Janet said her mom because she taught her so many things.
Who do you consider to be the best role models today? Al: “The parishioners we celebrate Mass with.” Janet: “People who give of themselves.”
Describe how your faith helped you through a difficult time in your life?
In 2001, Al was suffering from renal cell carcinoma. His daughters then made a plea for prayers. Al said, “If it wasn’t for that, I wouldn’t be here.”
It all goes back to prayers in the service when he was a Navy Seal in the Vietnam War. “You say a quick prayer, you came back,” Al said.
Do you have any hobbies? How do you stay active? “Grandkids are our hobbies,” they said. Also camping. Al “loves woodworking when I have the time.” Al is on the Secretariat of the Cursillo Movement. Both have been Cursillo coordinators. Janet also is an AARP tax aide and trains some of the AARP tax aide volunteers.
What is your first memory of church? Janet said going to church in first grade on the first day of school at St. Boniface. Al said it wasn’t a memory of church so much as St. Boniface pastor Bill Bastnagel coming over to eat at his house. There, great uncle Father Bastnagel was Bill. At school he couldn’t call him Bill.
What do you like most about being Catholic? Al was emphatic: “It’s universal.” Janet: “Sharing of the Eucharist.”
Of those things that are possible to change in the Catholic Church, what would you change? Al wishes the church would “utilize the former priests who are married.” For instance, use them as deacons, Al said.
If you could make one change in your community, what would it be? Al would like to see an end to the division between parochial school students and public school students. One more thing, he added, “No sports on Sundays for grade schoolers.”
Do you have a favorite saint? A favorite religious item? A Cursillo Jesus picture hangs in their living room “as a reminder he is the center,” Janet said. Another favorite is a medallion that has a small piece of cloth in it that touched the relic of St. Albert the Great.
Any regrets in life? Al: “Don’t believe I’d change anything.”
Tell us a few more things about yourself: Besides their involvement in Cursillo, they were busy for many years with TEC (Teens Encounter Christ.) But as Al said, “We’re too old. We can’t sleep on the floor anymore.”
TEC was especially fulfilling. There they saw Fathers Jason Gries and John Silva as teenagers.
They were also recipients of the Bruté Award, leaders of the St. Joe youth group, active in all kinds of parish activities, including RCIA. Janet cantors in the choir and was formerly on the School Board when she didn’t have kids in school. Al also coached girls softball.
What do you do in your spiritual life that you would recommend to others? Janet: We both start out in the morning with Scripture readings.” Use of such tools as “Living Faith” and “Bible Diary” are valuable. Janet smiled and said, “I say the rosary on my Exerciser.” Al carries a finger rosary for spare moments during the day. They also “get prayer requests.”
What is your best wisdom on life? Al: “Take ownership of your faith. It’s a gift from God, so cherish it.” Janet: “Always say a prayer before answering someone.”
Email Steve at shalbig@evdio.org