December 3, 2010
People of Faith
Lesson in faith: Church always there when help needed
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.
Name: Glenda B. Hampton
Parish: St. Benedict Cathedral, Evansville
Age and Occupation: Age (senior citizen). Teacher
Number of children, grandchildren: Five children, five grandchildren. I adopted a grandson at birth. He’s in the fifth grade at St. Benedict Cathedral School.
Have you lived in Southern Indiana all your life? Three-fourths of it.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? What did you end up doing? As a child, I had hopes of being a doctor’s secretary. I ended up being a teacher (elementary) and am still teaching. I have a master’s degree. Started teaching in 1974. Have spent most of my career at Lincoln Elementary.
Who influenced you growing up? My mother and several of my teachers. I was always told to work hard, get a good education and whatever you want you can have it.
Who do you consider to be the best role models today? President Obama, who started off with nothing and worked his way up. Father Gregory (Chamberlain), who is always there when needed, spiritually and educational. (Father Gregory is pastor of St. Benedict Cathedral.)
Describe how your faith helped you through a difficult time in your life? As a young woman raising five children, my church was always there to assist all of us when we needed help. That includes spiritual, financial and worldly advice. My priest at that time, Father Strange, was a great listener, which I really needed.
Do you have any hobbies? How do you stay active? I play golf and love to play bingo and cards. I also love to travel. I’ve been on more trips and cruises than I can count.
What is your first memory of church? I always think back to Father (Herman) Mootz and he always said, “You have two strikes against you before you start out — you are a Negro and a Catholic.” Back in those days this was really true. We’ve come a long way — church and race.
What do you like most about being Catholic? Everyone is willing to help you and anyone who is in need. I enjoy working in all of the activities that are offered. The education of religion in our schools. You are made to feel wanted by your priest. All of the opportunities to continue to learn each day.
Of those things that are possible to change in the Catholic Church, what would you change? I would change the age of confirmation. We should go back to confirming the students in the eighth grade and not the tenth. We are losing too many young people to the public schools the way it is now.
If you could make one change in your community, what would it be? That the less fortunate and senior citizens have a better chance to progress. I would have better health plans. Continue and make stronger the things CAJE is doing. We also need more housing.
Do you have a favorite saint? A favorite religious item? St. Ambrose. My St. Vincent de Paul pin. My Bruté pin and my cross that the Bishop blessed.
Any regrets in life? There’s always something but I can’t think of one right now.
Tell us a few more things about yourself: Along with being a lector and trustee at St. Ben’s, I am on the St. Vincent de Paul Society committee, the Housing Authority board, CAPE board, Evansville Teachers Association board of directors, Mother Teresa Award recipient and a precinct committee woman. I love teaching and helping my grandchildren who are in college, high school and elementary school.
What do you do in your spiritual life that you would recommend to others? Give of yourself to those who are less fortunate. Don’t always look for a reward when helping others. Give that little extra with a smile.
What is your best wisdom on life? Be thankful for each day that you wake up, and give it your all — God is good to all of us. Try to help someone each day. It doesn’t have to be large. Just a “smile” and “good morning” mean so much. Also work very hard in your parish.
Contact Steve at shalbig@evdio.org