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September 17, 2021
THE U.P. CATHOLIC
www.upcatholic.org
From the Staff& the Parishioners of
St. Louis the King
Thank you and God Bless
Father Glenn Theoret!
P.S., Thanks for the never-ending supply of Tootsie Roll Pops! - Children of S.L.T.K.
Catholic Service Award recipients honored
LORENEE ZENO KOSKEY
THE U.P. CATHOLIC
Two individuals and a couple from the western, central and eastern areas of the diocese are recipients of this years Legacy of Faith Catholic Service Award. They are John Roberts of St. Mary Parish in Rockland, Denise Herron of St. Michael Parish in Mar- quette and Deacon Thomas and Mary Anne McClelland, who serve St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish in St. Ignace, Immaculate Conception Parish in Moran and St. Anne Parish on Mackinac Island. John Roberts Born with cerebral palsy, John Roberts is a man of deep faith. His most recent job experience was managing the St. Vincent de Paul Store in Ontonagon for 25 years. After attending a Charismatic conference in Mar- quette in 1980, he formed a weekly prayer group in Rockland. Margaret Stripe explained, It was a way of sharing your faith and learning from each other and many came away with their faith strength- ened. Many times he, along with others in the group, would pray over people with a variety of problems and they were healed. Stripe has even inter- viewed people that Roberts has prayed over up to the current time, who have been healed by God. Some of her resulting articles have been published in The U.P. Catholic newspaper. The prayer group came to an end in 2005 when Roberts had a stroke at work and fell, making him wheelchair bound. He was later admitted to the Long Term Care Unit at Aspirus Hospital in Ontonagon, where he currently resides. Although the prayer group has stopped meeting, Roberts ministry has continued. According to the pastor of the Rockland and Ontonagon parishes, Father Michael Jaco- bus, Roberts leads the rosary and Stations of the Cross at the facility. He also serves as a guide to the parishs Eucharistic Minister, making sure everyone who wants to receive Communion there has the opportunity. John ministers to the residents of all faiths and to the staff, as well. He always has a smile and a word of encouragement, Father Jacobus said. The chaplain for Aspirus Hospice, Kath- leen Carlton Johnson, who visits the facility, stated that it is unusual to find a person like Roberts in a place like this. Most of those I visit are very private about their religion. Not John, between the cross on the wall and the giant Bible by his bed, prayers tucked on the walls. He is, in my opinion, a true be- liever that is not content to just think about himself, but an active Catholic that lives his Catholic life positively. Roberts also stays involved in the com- munity by taking public transportation to the St. Vinnies store twice a week, where he assists shoppers or visits with staff. Denise Herron Denise Herron is called a poster woman for evangelizing through Christian action by Karen Reese, the person who nominated her for the Catholic Service Award. Reese has spent years working with Herron on the St. Michael Parish Christian Service and Evangelization Committee and participating in a Cursillo prayer group. On behalf of that committee, Herron has coordinated monthly birthday parties for the children at Superior Village, the low-income housing complex in Marquette, as well as organizing lunches for Habitat for Hu- manity volunteers. She also stepped up to coordinate the parishs involvement with the Room at the Inn homeless shelter. Herron has also participated in regional church efforts, such as the Marquette area Vocation Club. Over the years, Denise and club members prayed for and scheduled monthly Eucharistic Adoration for our seminarians, sent them gifts during Christmas, and cards during priesthood or- dinations, explained Father Greg Heikkala, pastor of St. Michael Parish. Herron also served as a volunteer English tutor for Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres who were coming to the U.P. from foreign countries. Sister Mary Ann Laurin, Superior of the orders USA District, said, She came to the convent to work with the Sisters twice a week, giving lessons, and helping the newly-arrived Sisters develop their skills in conversation. She also helped them with practical experiences such as blueberry picking. Herrons community service includes vol- unteering at the lobby and operating room information desks at U.P. Health System Marquette, coordinating the food pantry and storage room at Beacon House-Hos- pitality House, and volunteering at the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry. She has also served as president of the North Country Trail Hikers Board of Directors and been a member of the group for over 25 years. The people supporting Herrons award nomination noted that she has always jumped in wherever there was a need. A particular memory was when Denise made bread for a guest who had special dietary needs. The guest spent most of her time at the hospital near her loved one, but also needed her special bread made for break- fast and sandwiches. Denise volunteered to make the bread and loved doing it, empha- sized Margaret Parker, manager of Beacon House. Deacon Thomas and Mary Anne McClelland Deacon Tom McClelland and his wife Mary Anne work together in ministry, yet have their own talents, which they share with the community. As a couple, they conduct the marriage preparation program for the parishes in St. Ignace, Moran and Mackinac Island and have also assisted with marriage prep at St. Joseph Parish in Rud- yard and Our Lady of the Snows Mission in Hessel. Mary Anne has been a wonderful partner for Deacon, always supporting his parish duties and helping in any way that she can They are tireless servants of the Lord and his people, stated Elaine MacDonald, the parish secretary at St. Ignatius Parish. Mary Anne has also served on the parish Funeral Luncheon Committee, working at the luncheons and providing food for them and other events. In addition, she has helped with counting the Sunday collection. Deacon Tom has conducted various Bible studies in the parishes and served on the Fi- nance Council. When there was a personnel change a few years ago at St. Ignatius Parish, he stepped up and took over the book- keeping position. During that same period, he was asked to share his financial expertise with the three-par- ish linkage of St. Joseph of Rudyard, St. Mary of Trout Lake and St. Francis Xavier ofBrimleyduringadicult time. Kathy Treml of Rud- yard stated, Deacon Toms calming, professional and factual manner- isms helped us to regain the trust of our Pastoral and Finance Councils.He showed us exemplary leadership and commitment. He has also served a key role in renova- tions at St. Ignatius Loyola and Immaculate Conception parishes. Serving the Upper Peninsula church, Deacon McClelland worked on the development of the Faith Formation Curriculums for the diocese. De- nise Foye, Diocesan Director of Catechesis and Adult Faith Formation, noted, His participation was critical to the process. He also helped an international priest obtain his drivers license, as well as a loan for his vehicle. In addition, he is an active member and treasurer of the St. Ignace Area Hope Chest, an ecumenical non-profit thrift store and food pantry, and Mary Anne has worked at the food bank. Deacon McClelland is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the St. Ignace Right to Life. The Catholic Service Award is a program of Legacy of Faith, which is an endowment fund of the Upper Peninsula Catholic Foun- dation. The award was created in 2006 in the spirit and intent of the endowment to preserve and foster the Catholic faith in the U.P. Nominations for the annual award are due by May 1 of each year. For more infor- mation, contact Terri Gadzinski at (906) 227-9108 or visit www.LegacyofFaith.net.
Are you taking care of your Spiritual Health? Visit: dioceseofmarquette. org/sacredheart
John Roberts Denise Herron Deacon Thomas & Mary Anne MClelland
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