Brockman Family Contributes 24 Handmade Quilts

It was a happy scene that Catholic Charities' Director Sharon Burns and Event Planner Kathy Wilkerson walked into on a recent Saturday afternoon at Evansville’s Nativity Church.  Twenty-four handmade baby quilts hung over the doors to the sanctuary – and four members of the Brockman family beamed as they watched the visitors' reactions.

"Eighty-something" Frances Brockman, quilt matriarch of the crew, hid in the corner, insisting she didn't want special attention. Two of her three quilting daughters, Susan Tenbarge of Haubstadt (mother of seminarian Tyler Tenbarge) and Linda Carman of Evansville (she quilts for the Glory of God) showed the quilts. Kendra Tenbarge, 27, of Haubstadt, noted how a couple of the quilts had "Jesus Loves Me This I Know" embroidered in the binding. Marsha Brockman, the maker of a colorful Purple Chevron quilt, was not able to join the gathering.    

The 24 quilts will join more than 50 others made by church quilting groups and individuals across the diocese, and will be auctioned in late May to raise money to fund Catholic Charities' outreach, education and counseling programs.  To view all of the quilts and find out how you can buy a ticket to the auction events to be held on May 28, visit www.charitiesevv.org/babyquilts.