Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. William Arthur Ward
On June 15th, at the “Grand Knight’s Ball”, the Father Alan Hall Council Knights of Columbus expressed sincere gratitude to several members of St. Charles Parish and recognized their outstanding dedication and ministrations.
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| Lorraine Lemay and Deacon Robert Gate |
Deacon Robert Gate thanked Lorraine Lemay for years of service on Pastoral Council, Liturgy Committee, RCIA adult faith formation committee, children’s Catechism committee as a teacher and later for 5 years as the coordinator of that program.
That her love and concern reaches into the world of the broken and homeless. Every week Lorraine prepares, bakes, bags and freezes 9 loaves of bread. These loaves are donated to the drop-in, Our Place - Chez Nous, and are served every Tuesday to feed the hungry street people who cross the threshold. That’s over 360 loaves every year.
“Lorraine is the most prayerful person I have ever known, with a profound and a living spirituality. A spirituality that is lived out in action of service to others and to her church”, said Robert as he made the presentation.
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Grand Knight Chris Souce and Laurette Noakes
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In June of 2012, due to a retirement, St. Charles parish was left without a Religious Education Coordinator. After months of appeals to the parish and several personal contacts with teachers and parents, September came with as yet no replacement. We were even uncertain as to our status with teacher availability for the coming year.
St. Charles for the first time was faced with either canceling the program or facilitating parents with a home catechism instruction.
When Laurette heard of our dilemma, she responded unselfishly and humbly with “I think I could do that.”
Laurette is a gift from God and a model of coordination and dedication. Gathering and collaborating with the teachers to amalgamate some classes, Laurette and her team were successful in providing a full and rich Catechetical Program from kindergarten to grade 8 for 75 children of our parish. Laurette has generously offered to continue yet another year as our coordinator.
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| Ron and Anna Desilets and Grand Knight Chris Souce |
Ron has served on absolutely every council and committee of the Church imaginable, not once but several times. Pastoral Council, finance council, building, maintenance, hospitality, cleaning and counting committee’s, as well as the men’s group.
Ron was involved in the discussions, planning, fundraising and eventual construction of a new addition to St. Charles parish which was completed in 1988. Ron was instrumental in serving on that building committee.
Around the time of St. Charles expansion and renovations (circa 1987), Ron took it upon himself to identify and clarify the record of burial locations as well as renovate and restore the beauty of the cemetery we enjoy today.
Additional burial plots were clearly identified and organized as well as a beautiful columbarium erected for use by parishioners.
All under the inspiration and dedication of Ron Desilets, who continues to this day, spending countless hours planting and maintaining this beautiful and holy garden of peace and rest.
Anna served on the very first ever pastoral council for St. Charles, and on several others over the years since then.
Again, with the encouragement of Fr. Frytek in 1974, Anna became the choir director for the first Sunday choir group in St. Charles. Anna remained director for the next 29 years until retiring in 2003. She still, after 40 years, remains an active member of the choir and director whenever needed.
Yet once again, with the reforms of Vatican II, Anna became a member of the 1st ever Liturgy committee which I believe she has remained in unbroken service and to this very day serves as our parish coordinator of all Sunday Liturgies and liturgical celebrations throughout the year.
Anna dedicated her life as well to the protection and defense of the unborn child. She served for 24 years in the pro-life movement from 1973 until retiring in 1997.
In that time Anna served on the board and as president of League for Life Manitoba, editor of “Pro Life News Canada”, and executive director of Alliance for Life.
In fact, on December 15th, 1985, Anna was awarded the Papal Medal of Honor (Benemerenti) by Pope John Paul II for her exceptional accomplishments and service. She received this award for those 24 years of work in the pro-life movement and for her overall service and dedication to her beloved Church.
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| Grand Knight Chris Souce, Myrna, Nicholas and Nick Whitelaw The Knights of Columbus Family of the Year |
It is only through selfless giving and dedication by individuals and sharing their gifts that any organization is able to sustain itself and continue to grow.
This family has been involved in assisting with social events - cooking, and setting up before and cleaning up after the events. They have vacuumed and cleaned our worship area and served at liturgical celebrations, weekend Masses, funerals and special solemnities like Christmas and Easter.
We, at St. Charles Parish, are blessed to have a family who exemplifies team effort and in doing so has discovered that special treasure hidden in the field of loving service. We are happy to announce that Nick, Myrna and Nicholas Whitelaw, are our Knights of Columbus Family of the Year.
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| Grand Knight Chris Souce, Marilyn and Remie Van Achte Knight of the Year |
We are happy to announce the Knight of the Year - Remie Van Achte.
