Nearly 100 Years Of Ministry And Care
Bonnie Ambrose and Charles (Charlie) Voight have seen generations of students pass through their classrooms at Holy Rosary Catholic School. Many of those former students joined the duo’s co-workers, friends and families for a June 5 Mass of Thanksgiving and reception to pay homage to these teachers with careers that span nearly 100 years as they enter retirement.
Ambrose has taught in the Catholic schools for 50 years. Voight follows closely behind with 47 years of service. Both have chosen to retire as they’ve taught – together, as a team.
”We do honor Bonnie and Charlie for their witness – no small witness in our world,” said Holy Rosary Pastor Father Bernie Etienne. “Holy Rosary Parish has been the happy beneficiary of the time you’ve shared. What you did is not teaching, it was a ministry of care.”
Ambrose and Voight provided the staff of Holy Rosary with leadership blessed with humor and consistent faith in Jesus Christ. Through difficult times and joyful times they proved the work important and worth the dedication of a career.
“What has always remained steady and true is their unwavering dedication to Catholic education and their ministry at Holy Rosary,” Principal Joan Fredrich told the crowd at the Mass of Thanksgiving. “Whether you sit in a desk in their classrooms, teach across the hall, partner with them in a parent-teacher conference, collaborate with them for a project…whether you clean their classroom or experience their support from the office…you learn so much from their example. You learn support, partnership, sacrifice. “
As Father Etienne mentioned in his homily, Ambrose and Voight have made a difference. “And all of us are better, much better, because of it. You don’t do this for as long as you have done it without passion about sharing the faith.” Father Bernie continued, “Nobody would do what you do without a true vocation with passion, and I am so grateful you have been willing to do that for us. The influence you’ve had is hard to imagine.”
The retirees, joined by their spouses, children and grandchildren, shared many memories with guests at a reception held after mass. Guests signed special pictures for them to show gratitude. Gifts were on display, including student-created handcrafted rosaries and one-of-a-kind collages depicting Holy Rosary School.
The Holy Rosary Community holds great gratitude and love for these two retiring teachers. As Father Etienne stated, “This is your home, and you’ll always be a part of us.”
Saint John Bosco Youth Ministry has hired Angie Greulich as program director. She is a graduate of Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas, and earned a master's degree in Theological Studies at Saint Meinrad School of Theology. She will complete the final requirements for her Certificate in Youth Ministry this year.
Greulich has experience in leading religious-education and youth-ministry programs, and local and international mission trips. For the past four years, she has led the family-development programs at TRI-CAP with the assistance of the Healthy Families and Head Start staff.
Angie is married to Josh Greulich and they have two children – Nathan, 4, and Lucy, 3. They are members of Saint Joseph Parish in Jasper.
Saint John Bosco Youth Ministry is a cooperative program sponsored by Holy Family, Precious Blood and St. Joseph parishes in Jasper, and St. Mary Parish in Ireland. To learn more about the Bosco Youth Ministry Program or to inquire about volunteering, contact Greulich at agreulich@evdio.org .
