Good Morning and thank you all for coming. Each of you has been a part of the reason I am here and I am so glad that you took the time to be here to share in the joy and honor that I feel today.
I also want to thank the National Catholic Education Association, Fr. Steve Sallis, pastor of St. Benedict’s Parish and Mrs. Maureen Blum, principal of St. Benedict’s School, for selecting me as the distinguished graduate of St. Benedict’s School for 2010. Thanks, too, to my dear husband, Jim for nominating me. You are the best gift of love that God has given me, dear.
When Mrs. Blum called me, I was so overcome that I was rendered speechless, which according to Mrs. Blum was quite a rare treat for her and I am sure that many of you would agree. She also told me that I have time limit today, but I ask you to hold off on the hook because this may be the only time my story can be told—outside of my funeral.
Since being selected, I’ve been trying to figure out what it is that I did to merit this award. I guess I‘m like George Bailey in “It’s a Wonderful Life”. I just tried to do what I thought was right and to say yes to God’s plan whatever that was. Along with my parents, St. Ben’s was a key factor in helping me to develop my Catholic faith and that education enabled me to have the strength to follow His plan. The priests and nuns who taught in this building not only gave me instruction, guidance, and inspiration but also were examples of how love of God, discipline, knowledge, morals and devotion to the Catholic faith could direct and enhance my life. I loved being at this school and I loved those teachers. Thank you all you wonderful, holy people.
Service to my church was a part of my years here, beginning with CCD, the old name for after school Faith Formation. I think it was in 7th or 8th grade that I helped teach. I also visited shut-ins as part of a Girl Scout troop. Thank you, Mrs. Brinck, our Leader.
At Blanchet High School, I was again blessed by the influence of many wonderful nuns, priests and educators and my faith continued to grow. I joined the Legion of Mary, helped with altar linens, continued CCD teaching and participated in the teen group from St. Ben’s—the Etalbo Club. As part of that group, I was selected Teen Religion Chair for the Archdiocese. Thank you Dan Adamson, the Club Director.
After high school, I married my wonderful spouse, Jim who had also attended Catholic grade school and Blanchet. We were married in this church and our firstborn son, Ed, was baptized here.
We raised 6 great kids, who also gave me quite an education and 7 super grandkids, one of whom was born 4 days ago. Thanks kids and grandkids—I love you all.
When we moved to Bothell, we joined St. Brendan Parish and decided to send our children to St. Brendan Catholic School. We firmly believed that was the best way for them to learn about the Catholic faith and way of life. This was a real stretch financially, but we had many signs from God that this was what He wanted us to do and many of them went to Catholic High School.
Later we joined St. John Vianney Parish and I helped launch the Preschool Sunday School for the Archdiocese—thank you, Bonnie Dreeves, author and instructor of the program.
As our children grew up, I went back to work and school and with God leading the way, was able to realize a dream of teaching in the library at St. Brendan’s in Bothell. I felt very much at home there and with that experience I was given another opportunity to grow in my faith—thank you to the staff at St. Brendan Parish and School for 23+happy years. You’re awesome--I love you and I will continue to support the school and volunteer there.
During that period, I was called to help with the establishment of Eastside Catholic High School and I thank God for my husband who held down the fort while I spent 7 years serving on the board. Thank you, Rita Swensson, for taking my spot on the board and continuing that dream. Just last year we were able to be there when the new campus opened.
Jim and I have both faced cancer and we firmly believe that our faith is a vital reason we were able to face that challenge.
Today we serve as Eucharistic Ministers at our new parish, Blessed Teresa of Calcutta and also volunteer in other Catholic Ministries.
When I look at all those years, I realize that without my Catholic Education and the dedication of all the educators and clergy who helped me develop my faith, I would not be here. Along with my parents and those brave people from my Irish, Lithuanian and German Catholic ancestry who brought their faith to America, I have been given a zeal for following the Catholic way of life. Their examples of love, sacrifice, faith, discipline, morals and knowledge led me to accept God’s plan for me. This Catholic faith has inspired me to do small things with great love as Blessed Teresa directed and most especially to say, “Yes”, to God because Mary did when she said “Be it done unto me according to your will”.
Thanks again, to all of you here today, my dear family, friends, and fellow Catholics, for all that you have done to help me on this journey. I love you all and ask God to bless you.
Footnote: I want to add that currently we have said “Yes”, to God by taking in a foreign exchange student, Vu Le from Hanoi Vietnam.
you compare to others, just work hard and improve yourself and have fun”.
