Around The Diocese For July 31

Spirit of TEC awarded

to Martha Schmitt

Southwestern Indiana TEC recently presented the Spirit of TEC award to Martha Schmitt, according to Laura Litwiler, core group chair.

“In February of 2007, Martha Schmitt attended her first Teens Encounter Christ retreat. Since that time, she has continued to serve the TEC community in many ways, serving as cook, adult leader and lay director.

“Martha is a true model of love for the Church and service to God. She has not only served as cook on six TEC retreats, but she has also volunteered in the kitchen for almost all of the retreats since her first TEC.

“Since TEC 63, Martha has become more involved in her parish community of St. Mary's, Ireland, where she currently serves as DRE.

“She is always seeking out ways to help SWITEC, doing much work behind the scenes and often staying long after each weekend is over.

“For the many ways she has blessed us, we would like to bless Martha in return with the Spirit of TEC award.”

Happy Birthday!

Father Anthony Govind, associate pastor at St. John the Baptist Parish in Newburgh, celebrates his birthday Aug. 7.

Commissioned

Jasper native Linda Heeke Schneider Trill and 86 others were commissioned June 28 as lay pastoral ministers for the Diocese of Ogdensburg, N.Y., by Bishop Terry LaValley. She and the others completed two years of classes to become lay pastoral ministers.

Trill will be serving St Mary's Parish in Canton, N.Y. in parish life and outreach. Since joining the parish, she has established and coordinates The Gabriel Project, which assists pregnant women, and she leads the parish census committee.

Born and raised in Jasper, Trill attended St Joseph Parish and was an active member. While she lived in the Jasper area, she served the parish as an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist, a lector, a Stephen Minister and as a member of the parish’s welcoming committee. She was also a volunteer with the SPRED program.

Happy Birthday!

Michelle Priar, assistant superintendent in the diocesan Catholic Schools Office, celebrates her birthday August 10.

John Hollis, principal at Holy Cross Church, Fort Branch, celebrates his birthday Aug. 10

Saying thanks

In a recent parish bulletin, Father Eugene Schmitt, pastor, says “thanks” for a donation from the Vic and Loretta Humbert family. “St. Celestine has a new blessed candle stand.

“We now have the capacity for an additional 40 large and 12 small votive candles that can now be lit.”