August 12, 2011
Mother Teresa Service Award recipients serve people in need
Editor’s note: Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Evansville honored parish-nominated recipients of Mother Teresa Service Awards May 19. The Message continues a series of articles, with biographical material provided by Catholic Charities.
May Kleeman
St. Joseph, Jasper
May Kleeman was nominated because of the “small things with great love” she does for many people. She started the Prayer Shawl Ministry at St. Joseph. This organization has provided more than 500 prayer shawls to individuals, made chemo caps for the Cancer Center at Memorial Hospital, made blankets for the homeless, and sent stuffed bears and school bags to Riley Children’s Hos-pital. She transports individuals to Mass, helps at the community meals program weekly, helps with bereavement meals, and is actively involved in many fund-raisers. May does not do these things for recognition, rather, she sees a need and responds to it.
Rita and John Kohl
Nativity, Evansville
Rita helped children while working at Methodise Temple Daycare in Evansville for over 20 years. In 2010 she and John, with the help of many other volunteers, started the Nativity “Wednesday Clothes Closet” to provide “free” clothing for poor families with babies and children, especially Latinos, and adults who needed good clothes to apply for jobs. In the past year they have provided clothes for over 500 babies, children and adults. They are both outstanding candidates and worthy of this honor. They are recognized as leaders in the community, serving on the Parish Pastoral Council several terms, and many other committees.