February 11, 2011
Personal Reflection
Vocation to the single life: Discerning the Holy
Julie Marchino and Linda Ruppel share conversation after Mass. Julie is always visiting with friends and family until the church doors are ready to be locked. Click for a larger version.
By ZOE CANNON (Sacred Heart Church, Vincennes)
“The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out.” Proverbs 18:15.
So, it seems that to acquire knowledge, one must study, but to acquire wisdom, we must be observant. God invites us to hear what is around us, not just hearing, but truly listening to his voice. If attentive, we will see the footprints of the Holy Spirit guiding our path. The best way to glorify God; to joyfully live the life he has planned for you.
The vocation of single life is a divine calling; as witnessed in those highlighted in this article. Living life to the fullest; they realize God has called them to a very specific mission of love and faith. Julie Marchino and Mark Speth are both life-long members of their Vincennes parishes. Unknowingly, they both stated for this article: “Single life chose me, I did not choose it.”
Julie Marchino, a member of Sacred Heart, is a Health Care Recruiter at Good Samaritan Hospital. She is an officer and active member of the Christian Education Foundation, who supports the Catholic schools with fundraising and fun times. She belongs to a “small, but mighty” adult pep band, who jazz up the energy at a Rivet basketball game with their musical talents. At Sacred Heart, she has helped with high school religious education classes and for the past four years coordinated a “Souper Bowl” event at the parish with the youth; each year they raise money for charitable causes.
Julie grew up on a farm with two older brothers and one younger sister. Her parents, John and Margaret, were married 52 years before they both passed. “I always thought I’d get married and have a passel of kids. But at some point I decided to embrace what God had in store for me, as I realized there are blessings and challenges in every walk of life. When I was a freshman in public high school, a teacher began to teach our class what the Catholic Church believed. I stood up to that teacher at age 14, because the information he was sharing was not correct. I wanted to defend “my” church. Growing up, the end table in our living room had a box of rosaries, scapulars, medals, and of course there were prayer books and holy cards. It was an adventure to get into that drawer, although I remember getting into trouble once in elementary school, and my mom went to that drawer. She pulled out a little booklet and told me to memorize one of the prayers; it was the Memor-are, Mom explained that Mary through Jesus could help us overcome anything.
“My grandmothers were both strong influences in my life. With one you prayed the rosary surrounded by statues like the Pieta; with the other you heard stories from the bible, while you learned to knead bread. We had everything we needed growing up on a farm. We didn’t travel much, so when I started college at IU, it was a real eye opener. Even in college, the one constant for me was “my” church. I always went to Mass, and I prayed a lot . . . mostly about grades! I was able to care for my maternal grandmother and recently two elderly great aunts when they could no longer take care of themselves. My nephews and niece also bring a lot of joy in to my life. I try to hand down lessons my parents taught me about the faith. It is very important to share this with young people and remind them that we should never stop learning and growing in our faith. I feel called to pray for our priests, and I love spending time with Jesus in Adoration. Being single is sometimes challenging, but it’s certainly nothing to fear. As children of God, we are never alone, and if you feel alone, you’re probably spending too much time thinking about yourself. If you put Jesus first, others second and also care for yourself, you shouldn’t have too many lonely moments.”
Mark Speth, a member of St. John the Baptist, is a pharmacist at Northside Family Pharmacy. Mark’s parents were Edward and Helen Speth. Educated in the Vincennes catholic schools for 12 years, Mark is a 1976 Ri-vet graduate, and graduated with a degree in Pharmacy, in 1981 from Purdue University.
The youngest of four children, his closest sibling was eight years older. Growing up Mark remembers when he was six years old, and his sister Marsha entered the convent at St. Mary of the Woods. “I was fascinated when we would visit her, which at that time was permitted only two or three times a year. After I graduated from Purdue, I started working in Terre Haute, but that same year my dad passed away. Mom was already in bad health and two of my siblings had families with young children, and did not live in Vincennes, and one was a religious sister; the responsibility of caring for mom became a choice I felt I needed to make. In 1985, I returned to Vincennes and moved in with my mother. We became very close, I took her to basketball games, amusement parks, shopping, church, movies, doctor’s appointments and anyplace she felt she could go. I had a lot of support from my brother and sisters, but day to day, I was with Mom until she died in 1990.”
“My parents were my greatest spiritual influence. I was an altar boy, but growing up I can’t say we were a real religious family. But there was always a feeling of love and devotion to each other and to God. I enjoy my time in Adoration Chapel each week and being a Eucharistic Minister occasionally for the homebound. I am involved with all aspects of the Church, the picnics and other functions. I was an RCIA instructor for four years, which really increased my knowledge of the faith. I served on parish council for nine years and have participated in the adult formation program, “Why Catholic,” Christ Renews His Parish Retreat, and took part in the Living Your Strengths Class. I have been a member of the Knights of Co-lumbus since I was 21 years old, holding several offices, including Grand Knight, and I am currently the financial secretary. As the largest lay catholic family service organization, we do many good things through council involvement. This org-anization takes a lot of my time, trying to help local families and projects. In past years, I have also enjoyed helping with score keeping for Rivet girls and boys basketball teams. It is nice to spend time giving back.”
Mark shared, “I always thought I would get married and have a family, but circumstances didn’t turn out that way; sometimes the world thinks you are strange for being single, but you can share your gifts in so many different ways. I am especially pleased to have been a Confirmation sponsor for the sons of three friends. Hopefully, I am a positive influence in their lives; by the way I live the faith.”
If everyone would fashion their lives through the eyes of Jesus, like Julie and Mark, instead of the way our culture envisions purpose and success, there would be joy in every life. Thank you both for truly understanding how to glorify God with your lives. Amen!