By: Text and photo by Jennifer Willems, The Catholic Post

“Joan will help with anything in any way.”

“Vicki works tirelessly for both her parish and community.”

“Phyllis is like everyone’s mom. . . . We would be lost without her.”

“Marge is that special servant of God who makes our parish a special place.”

Comments like these could be found on most of the nomination forms for the 48 women honored as outstanding volunteers by the Peoria Diocesan Council of Catholic Women last Tuesday. The organization’s annual Appreciation Luncheon drew nearly 170 people to the Spalding Pastoral Center in Peoria.

The theme for the event was “Women of Faith Filled with the Spirit” and they demonstrated how fitting it was by starting their gathering with Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral. It was celebrated by Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, who praised them for knowing the voice of Jesus and following this Good Shepherd.

“You have been living your faith in so many ways that make Christ present to your family, to your friends, to your neighbors and even to non-believers,” he said during his homily, which he delivered from the steps of the cathedral sanctuary.

“Let us intentionally today and every day be the flock of Christ. Let us listen to his voice . . . and go where he directs,” Bishop Jenky said.

THANKS ALL AROUND
In addition to the volunteers of the year, three others were recognized with special awards at the luncheon.

Mary Catherine Wujek of rural Mendota, a former DCCW president and longtime board member, and Jane Harris of St. Jude’s Parish in Peoria, current DCCW treasurer, received certificates of special merit for their work on behalf of the organization.

“I know she doesn’t think she should get this,” Betty Sullivan said as DCCW president Nympha White pinned a corsage on Harris’ jacket and Msgr. Dale Wellman, longtime spiritual adviser, handed her the certificate.

The DCCW selected Robert Gilligan, executive director of the Catholic Conference of Illinois, to receive its Imperative Award.

“He has been such an asset for us whenever we go (to Springfield) for any events, such as Catholics at the Capitol,” said past president and province director Joan Weber in introducing Gilligan. “He is right there with us and helps us to get to the people he thinks it will make a difference for us to stop and see. We can’t say how much we appreciate how he helps us.”

In a departure from tradition, Gilligan was invited to give the DCCW honorees and their guests an update on the legislative issue that’s on everyone’s mind — same-sex marriage.

He said Senate Bill 10, which seeks to redefine marriage, “is teetering on the edge in terms of potential passage” in the Illinois House.

“Right now it’s very important for anybody who cares about this issue — perhaps now more so than at any other time in the legislative process — to lend your voice to communicating to your elected officials that we should keep marriage as the union between one man and one woman and therefore oppose Senate Bill 10,” Gilligan told them. The timing is crucial because this legislative session is due to end on May 31.

“I encourage you to get engaged in the issue one more time,” Gilligan said.

The final award of the afternoon was given to Msgr. Wellman, who has served as the spiritual adviser to the DCCW for 40 years. As he received his plaque, those in attendance gave him a standing ovation.

Following is a full list of the honorees, plus brief accounts of their invaluable contributions to their parishes and Catholic institutions.

— Marilyn Vandevoorde, Sacred Heart, Annawan: Longtime member of the parish, president of the Altar and Rosary Society, taught religion for many years, circle chairman several times, helps with fundraisers and funeral dinners.

— Marilyn Verdick, Sacred Heart, Annawan: Longtime member of the parish, former officer of the Altar and Rosary Society, circle chairman several times, willing to help at any church dinner, luncheon, bake sale or fundraiser, donates to and works at funeral dinners.

— Jeanne Carton, St. Anthony’s, Atkinson: Lector, extraordinary minister of holy Communion, was co-chair for the 2012 spring raffle dinner, has chaired the church’s circles.

— Shirley McNeil, St. Anthony’s, Atkinson: Volunteers for funeral lunches and chaired the 2012 spring raffle dinner, gathering all workers and kitchen staff.

— Marjory Mirande, St. Anthony’s, Bartonville: Longtime member of the parish, extraordinary minister of holy Communion for the church and the homebound, lector, has been chairperson for funeral luncheons, led the parish prayer chain, co-chairs parish garage sales.

— Angela Casteel, St. John Vianney, Cambridge: Committee member for the Altar and Rosary Society, CCD instructor for third and fourth grades.

— Carolyn Bogner, St. Patrick’s, Camp Grove: Co-president of the Altar and Rosary Society, helps with the Family Resources Center’s Spring Festival of Life Auction.

— Vicki A. Waldschmidt, St. Patrick’s, Camp Grove: Co-president of the Altar and Rosary Society, helps with the Family Resources Center’s Spring Festival of Life Auction.

— Luella Campen, Sacre Coeur, Creve Coeur: Second vice president and treasurer of the Altar and Rosary Society, circle chairman at church for several years, two terms as president of American Legion Auxiliary 1234 of Creve Coeur.

— Judy Coker, Sacre Coeur, Creve Coeur: Extraordinary minister of holy Communion, creates flower arrangements for church, member of Ultreya committee for Cursillo, board member for St. Augustine Manor in Peoria.

— Phyllis Newmann, St. Teresa’s, Earlville: Office assistant to Father Chris Haake and the parish secretary, member of the liturgical/spiritual/pro-life committee, liturgical ministries, assists with special occasions, coordinates altar services, housekeeper.

— Joan Norton, St. Teresa’s, Earlville: ADA chairperson, Altar and Rosary Society, special occasion coordinator, lector, kitchen staff, altar services, office assistant, liturgical ministries, coordinator of floral arrangements for the church and special events.

— Agatha Rudy, Immaculate Heart of Mary, Galesburg: Member of Ladies of Mary, volunteer for quilt project, cleans altars, prayer line, welcomes newcomers, makes quilts for Right to Life and Quilts of Valor for injured service members, as well as lap quilts for nursing homes.

— Martha Runbom, Immaculate Heart of Mary, Galesburg: Secretary of the Ladies of Mary for four years, works at fundraising events for the parish, contributes and bakes for special occasions and funeral luncheons, supports Right to Life, room mother at Costa Catholic Academy, volunteers in the school’s junior high library and for her son’s sporting events.

— Sharon McClain, St. Malachy’s, Geneseo: Works at funeral dinners, helps with Winterfest, Altar and Rosary Society vice president and president, divorce care team member, reader for Stations of the Cross, helps with church cleaning, notary-auditor for the diocesan Tribunal, RCIA team, CCD teacher, extraordinary minister of holy Communion.

— Rita Nelson, St. Malachy’s, Geneseo: Lector, sets up for exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, extraordinary minister of holy Communion, leads the rosary at first Saturday Masses and during Benediction, takes Communion to the homebound, helps with funeral luncheons, organized adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on election day, member of the liturgy committee, CCD teacher.
l
— Melanie Pasulka, Sacred Heart, Granville: Longtime music director and liturgy coordinator, guitarist, pianist and cantor when needed, confirmation teacher and director of religious education until 2012, CCD sub, former RCIA director and teacher, former member of diocesan pastoral councils and local Catholic Charities board, member of the Altar and Rosary Society, extraordinary minister of holy Communion to shut-ins, and volunteer for hospice program at St. Margaret’s Hospital in Spring Valley.

— Vicki Gensini, St. Patrick’s, Hennepin: Extraordinary minister of holy Communion, grief committee, director of the CCD program, funeral luncheons, Putnam County Food Pantry.

— Elizabeth Dolieslager, St. Francis of Assisi, Kewanee: Member of the Altar and Rosary Society, extraordinary minister of holy Communion, a willing helper with church projects, former CCD teacher, member of the Kewanee Area Church Fellowship.

— Joan Huffman, St. Francis of Assisi, Kewanee: Member of the Altar and Rosary Society, washes and irons altar cloths, extraordinary minister of holy Communion, willing volunteer for funeral luncheons and church projects, decorates church for Easter and Christmas.

— Kay Heaton, St. Mary’s, Kewanee: Lifelong member of the parish, extraordinary minister of holy Communion, teaches junior high CCD and prepares students for confirmation, helps with all Altar and Rosary Society events.

— Pat Van Hyfte, St. Mary’s, Kewanee: Altar and Rosary treasurer for two years and president for four years, helps with funeral dinners, schedules rosary leaders for before Masses and leads the parish rosary on Wednesday evenings, has donated quilts for the school’s Christmas bazaar.

— Suzie Budde, Sacred Heart, Moline: Member of the stewardship and finance committees, a leader for altar servers and ministers of hospitality, volunteer director for two parish choirs, volunteer for the religious education program, Faith in Action and welcoming committee.

— Diane Turczynski, Sacred Heart, Moline: Volunteer receptionist at the Lee Parish Center at Sacred Heart, assists with the parish newsletter, photography, mailings, Our Lady’s Rosary Makers.

— Judy Polit, St. Mary’s, Moline: Decorates the church, arranges and waters the flowers, member of the Heavenly Dusters.

— Elaine Wilson, St. Mary’s, Moline: Member of the Heavenly Dusters, counts money, lector, helps with bake sales, volunteers with the American Red Cross and Alternatives for Elderly Living.

— Nadra O’Keefe, St. Joseph’s, Pekin: Vice president and former president of the Council of Catholic Women, Christ Child Society representative from St. Joseph’s, extraordinary minister of holy Communion, member of the healing ministry, in charge of altar decorations, has headed a group that bakes cookies for the annual Christmas and Easter cookie sales for several years.

— Cindy Yocum, St. Joseph’s, Pekin: Lector, extraordinary minister of holy Communion, rosary leader, member of the healing ministry, chairs the prayer shawl ministry, helps to maintain the rosary garden, has served as vice president of the Council of Catholic Women, Oblate of the Community of St. John.

— Dode Morrissey, St. Ann’s, Peoria: Has been active in Mothers’ Club and Ladies Guild, volunteer at funeral dinners, provided clothing or shoes to children in need.

— Susan Stone, St. Ann’s, Peoria: Choir member, Ladies Guild leader, server at funeral dinners, volunteer wherever needed.

— Maribel Draper, St. Jude’s, Peoria: Sacristan, extraordinary minister of holy Communion, lector, leads rosary before daily Mass, secretary of the Rosary Guild, rosary maker, maintains votive candle stands, past secretary of St. Clement’s Altar and Rosary Society.

— Sharon Jokhy, St. Jude’s, Peoria: Member of the Women of St. Jude, extraordinary minister of holy Communion, assistant coordinator of funeral dinners, volunteers with PeacePals reading program, member of Leaven and St. Vincent de Paul Society, chairperson for St. Jude dinners at Neighborhood House, chairperson for washing altar linens, Lenten meals and Advent potluck dinners, sponsors children through the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging.

— Mary Fran Cunningham, St. Vincent de Paul, Peoria: Maintains the prayer list, phones and visits the sick, makes centerpieces for the prayer group when members celebrate a priest’s anniversary, birthday and other celebrations, a “joyous volunteer.”

— Rose Hunsader, St. Vincent de Paul, Peoria: Co-leader of the prayer group, takes Communion to the sick at three hospitals and a local senior living facility, helps with funeral lunches, attends daily Mass and leads the Chaplet of Divine Mercy after Mass, cleans the church.

— Susan Michel, St. Mary’s, Pontiac: Coordinator for adoration program, extraordinary minister of holy Communion, lector, assists with nursing home ministry.

— Karen Peissig, St. Mary’s, Pontiac: Heads Vacation Bible School, CCD coordinator, initiated the Good Friday prayer walk, member of the Legion of Mary and perpetual adoration program.

— Ginny Gilles, St. Mary of the Woods, Princeville: Lector at daily Mass, a “guiding light” of the “Heavenly Quilters,” assists with Knights of Columbus events, “graciously serves on any committee she is asked to.”

— Dorothy Kappes, St. Mary of the Woods, Princeville: A member of the parish since 1922, has held several leadership positions with the Altar and Rosary Society, was a member of the choir and a volunteer bus driver for children attending St. Mary’s School in Kickapoo, has been a housekeeper and cook for the pastor, and bookkeeper, money counter.

— Joanne Jennings, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Silvis: Active in pro-life work, helps at funeral luncheons, a “prayer warrior” who assists parishioners in need of a kind word or hug, reaches out to needy families and offers child care.

— Rose Lax, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Silvis: Active parish volunteer who assists with the annual Fiesta, Sunday breakfasts and fish fry dinners hosted by the Father Pro Men’s Group.

— Ella Killian, St. Michael the Archangel, Streator: Member and past officer of the Altar and Rosary Society and Parents’ Club, lector, sacristan, parish pro-life representative for 15 years, assists with the Christmas bake sale and bazaar, parish bakers and Bingo, cleans the church, decorates church for Christmas and Easter.

— Margaret Kmetz, St. Michael the Archangel, Streator: Member of the Altar and Rosary Society, head of the parish baking project since 2003, assists with various parish functions, including Bingo and the Christmas bake sale and bazaar, was a tutor in the school.

— Marie Eckstein, St. Elizabeth’s, Washburn: Parish trustee, lector, extraordinary minister of holy Communion, president of the Altar and Rosary Society, works in the kitchen for the annual spaghetti dinner, potlucks and other parish events.

— Dawn Rippel, St. Mary’s, Wenona: Lector, cleans the church and gets the confirmation students to help, willing volunteer.

— Wilma Cole, St. Mary’s, Westville: Member of the Altar and Rosary Society, contributes to funeral dinners, parish nurse since 2005, coordinates distributions from the parish food pantry, member of the Labor Day International Food Festival Committee and sponsors the Italian booth, leader of the rosary group that prays in church every night, works at the annual Christmas bazaar.

— Janet Greene, St. Mary’s, Westville: Secretary/treasurer of the Altar and Rosary Society since 2002, helps with funeral dinners, co-chairs the Labor Day International Food Festival Committee and sponsors the Polish booth, set up booth and presented information at health fairs sponsored by the parish nurses, organizes special receptions for RCIA and First Communion as well as bake sales, works at the annual Christmas bazaar.

— Darlene DeSutter, St. John the Apostle, Woodhull: A member of the parish for 57 years, has served on numerous committees, helps with spring cleaning, the annual chicken dinner, funeral dinners, prayer chain.

— Melanie DeSutter, St. John the Apostle, Woodhull: Extraordinary minister of holy Communion, lector, helps maintain church grounds, served as chair of the Altar and Rosary Society for a number of years, was a CCD and Bible school teacher.