Our Honorees and More from Father Griffith, July 25th

In his homily on July 25th, Father Griffith referenced this talk from Pope Benedict  that was made in an address in his native Germany in 2011.

Here's more on the five people who were honored with Fleur de lis and Pope Francis awards on July 25th.  Thank you for sharing your gifts with all of us here at Our Lady of Lourdes!

As Director of Fellowship,  Nancy Casey has led the Lourdes Block Party team, and was key in community events ranging from National Night Out to Blessing of the Animals to the Lourdes Famous Fish Frys. She is active as a liturgical minister and she and Mike serve as Marriage Mentors. She is perhaps most famous for being the first woman at Lourdes to run the pie machine at our French meat pie bakes! Congratulations and thanks, Nancy!

It's appropriate both  Julie Ditter and her brother  Mark Ditter are being honored the same year, as they have teamed up in so many service areas at Lourdes (as noted by these pictures!) The Ditter family, including their parents Norm and Diane, and Mark's wife Janet and their adorable boys (Ben, Andy and Davy!) value giving back and social justice issues, and they live out those values here at Lourdes. Julie has served as parish administrator and leads our Justice and Charity team, with a particular emphasis on our partnership with the Oblate Mission in Tijuana and in the area of advocacy. Mark has led our hunger ministries, including Dinner for the Hungry and volunteer meal service at Sharing and Caring Hands. Congratulations to both Julie and Mark and a hearty "merci" from everyone at Lourdes!

Father Griffith presented  Tom Johnson with his Fleur de lis Award in the spring. At Tom’s Mass of Christian Burial last month, Father Griffith and others shared memories of his many contributions, in the state, in the law profession, in the community. At Our Lady of Lourdes, Tom was active in the Justice and Charity team and provided great counsel for their work. He served as ombudsperson for the Archdiocese for victim survivors of clergy abuse. And a terrific partner, he supported his wife Victoria’s wide ranging work here at the French church, participating in everything from selling tickets at the Block Party to bagging French meat pies. Victoria is a Fleur de lis Awardee as well. We look forward to celebrating with her this weekend as this year’s honorees are recognized.

Dr. Fred Schilling is active in liturgical ministries, parish landscaping, and the Lourdes’ Men’s Club, and he can be counted on to help with about anything else the parish needs! Fred and his wife Deb Hamilton, who is one of our trustees and also a Fleur de lis awardee, lead the famous French Meat pie bakes, a Lourdes tradition. A life long learner, Fred completed the two-year, Archbishop Flynn Catechetical Institute program at the St. Paul Seminary last month and he is active in our adult faith formation events. He is known for having the best Ole and Lena jokes and the best form on the Hammerschlagen at Lourdes! We often say  merci here at the French church, but in Fred’s case, we’ll say,  danke schoen!

When our Director of Sacred Music and Liturgy, Dr. Jacob Benda, joined the parish last fall, he remarked what a gift it was to have a talented, long-time parishioner like  Marie Trepanier in the Lourdes choir.  Marie has been a part of the wonderful sacred music tradition at Lourdes and is one of our newest liturgy ministers, serving as a lector. She is active on the sacristy team with altar linen care, a behind the scenes and much appreciated role! Congratulations and  merci, Marie!