We have been part of the Saint Anne Community since I moved here as an 8th grader and was enrolled in Saint Anne School. My husband and I were married by Fr. Dillon in 1983, and the last of our five children graduated from the school in 2009. During that time, I spent many years on the Women’s Club Board, the Home & School Association and the School Board. While all of these positions were extremely fulfilling and worthwhile, I joined the Sharing Board to be involved with a group ministering to those outside of Saint Anne and share my time, talents and gifts.
I continue to be inspired by this wonderful group of men and women on the Sharing Board, dedicated to bringing the Gospel vision of love to our sharing partners, St. Frances of Rome, St. Columbanus Food Pantry and the St. Martin de Porres Women’s Shelter. Over the years, we learned how to be good stewards of God’s blessings to us, sharing our faith and, in some small ways, we worked as God’s hands. We learned compassion and how to walk in someone else’s shoes. We shared faith, love, laughter and hope. Together, this group made a real difference to the lives of so many in Cicero and Chicago. None of this would have been possible without the support of the parish at large, through food drives, Sharing tree donations and the weekly ‘gold’ envelope. Saint Anne is a wonderful vibrant community.
My husband and I welcomed our first grandchild this year, bringing with him more joy and love than we could imagine. We look forward to the celebration of our oldest daughter’s wedding this winter and thank God every day for the many blessings in our lives.