September 3, 2010
People of Faith
No doubt about it: Teacher says parents are best role models
BY STEVE HALBIG
The People of Faith feature is compiled by Steve Halbig, who 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 faith.
Angie Fleck is a 28-year-old teacher of freshman, sophomore and junior Theology at John Paul the Great Catholic High School in Jasper. From August 2008 to 2010, she was the director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry at Holy Rosary Church, Evansville.
What is the best part of your job? In my parish ministry position, I really enjoyed working with families and helping teens learn how to embrace their Catholic faith through different events, trips, activities and chats. At John Paul the Great Catholic High School, I enjoy teaching the teens more about our faith, seeing them grasp certain ideas for the first time and helping them bridge the everyday happenings in their lives with their faith. Both settings have a lot of energy and authenticity.
What is the hardest part of your job? In the parish, the prevalent challenge was learning how to do comprehensive ministry within the already jampacked schedules of the teens and adults. At John Paul the Great, the most difficult part is trying to understand what the teens do not yet understand so I can figure out how to teach them effectively.
Who has been a big influence in your life? My mother has definitely been the biggest influence in my life. She has worked very diligently to overcome many obstacles throughout her life and her faith has only gotten stronger and stronger. She always encouraged and supported my decisions but would not hesitate to let me know if I was making an unwise choice. She has shown me unconditional love throughout my entire life and I hope I can do the same with those in my life.
Who do you consider to be the best role models today? Hands down, PARENTS! Parents have the opportunity to be the most influential adults in their children’s lives. If they embrace that opportunity in a positive light, their children will benefit for the rest of their lives. Outside of parents, the Holy Family and the Communion of Saints that our Church holds so dear offer examples of love, hard work, humility, service, passion and determination. Their influence in our lives is priceless.
Describe how your faith helped you through a difficult time in your life? Throughout my college years my faith was challenged a lot. I was a Bible major at a Protestant college where many of the professors and students, through their ignorance, argued my beliefs. Constantly being an active witness of Catholicism meant studying parts of the faith I did not know. I was blessed by having a very good friend, who is also Catholic, help me through those times. In the end, the faith I had learned as a child grew into a mature faith that I could claim as my own.
Do you have any hobbies? How do you stay active? I am getting married in December to the man of my dreams and prayers, Josh Greulich, so planning and preparing for our wedding has been one of my main hobbies! I also enjoy baking, running, spending time with family and friends and volunteering in the community as much as I can. I am also in graduate school at St. Meinrad so keeping up with my studies is also a current hobby!
What do you like most about being Catholic? I love that we have such a rich history and that we embrace everyone in our faith. We have so many opportunities to express our faith and to grow deeper in our spirituality. Knowing that the worldwide church lives in solidarity throughout the liturgical year is amazing and comforting at the same time.
Of those things that are possible to change in the Catholic Church, what would you change? On a whole, I wish congregations had more passion during the Sunday liturgies. Having traveled to other dioceses and attending Catholic Conferences, I have been a witness to congregations (teens and adults alike) who embrace their gift of being a part of the liturgy and I would love to see that happen more in our community. Our teens need to know that growing in their faith does not stop once they are confirmed, and in fact that is the time in which most young people embrace their faith and really begin embracing their spiritual life.
If you could make one change in your community, what would it be? I am eager to see how bridges can be made between John Paul the Great Catholic High School and different community organizations in the Dubois County area. Dubois County is an area rich in faith, family values and community service. John Paul the Great is honored to be in the community and would like to be integrated into the life of its residents as much as possible.
Any regrets in life? I regret not getting to know my Grandpa Buechlein before his passing. He was a man of commitment and faith. He loved my grandmother dearly and I was blessed to witness that love. I have a hunch that he would have been a great role model for me if I had invested time into our relationship.
Tell us a few more things about yourself: I am so excited to be a wife and mother and feel very blessed to embrace those vocations. I love traveling, reading, baking and eating Laffy Taffy — I think the jokes on the wrappers are hilarious.
What do you do in your spiritual life that you would recommend to others? I have kept a journal since I was in junior high. Writing down the day’s events, challenges, blessings, wonderings, and prayers has helped me keep perspective on my life and see how my faith and spiritual life have grown through the years.
What is your best wisdom on life? Three things come to mind instantly. The first is from Ephesians 5:1-2: Be imitators of God, as beloved children . . . walk in love, just as Christ also loved you. And be humble and laugh a lot!
Contact Steve at shalbig@evdio.org