NOMINATION RESUMES 2012 PASTORAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS

Transcription

1 NOMINATION RESUMES 2012 PASTORAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS Pastoral Council Elections will be held during the weekend Masses on Saturday and Sunday 10/11 November Four members of our faith community will be elected for three-year terms of service, taking office in January Thirteen candidates have submitted nomination forms and are eligible for election. Their nomination resumes have been reprinted here so that you may vote in a prayerful, reflective, and informed manner. Please review these resumes in preparation for voting that weekend.

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3 Nicholas Anderson AGE (if under 21): 17 MEMBER OF SAINT KATHARINE DREXEL SINCE: 2009 YEAR OF CONFIRMATION: 2010 PLACE: Saint Katharine Drexel, Frederick, MD As well as being an experienced leader of the high school youth ministry, I have had theological training by way of Confirmation preparation programs both here at Saint Katherine Drexel and at St. Francis of Assisi Chapel of Kings Bay, GA. I have leadership training from National Honor Society related peer tutoring, Boys and Girls club volunteering, etc., and I am an active leader here at our local BSA troop 48. Please list any current or previous ministry experience at Saint Katharine Drexel or other parishes: I have participated in the music ministry at my previous church, and at Saint Katherine Drexel. Here at Drexel, I have also taken part in the high school youth ministry, Voyager's luncheons, TGIF program, and I am the current SPL of the Boy Scout troop 48 hosted by Saint Katherine Drexel. Still being young, my relationship with god and the church is developing progressively though my life, however, I feel as if it has taken a great leap recently. In February of 2012, I suffered from a serious appendicitis. Rather then it being removed in a prompt manner, it ruptured for 5 days before being removed. From this event, there was a residual infection along with pneumonia. To this day, it is still the closest I have been to facing my mortality, and through the numerous days in the hospital, SKD parishioners visited me virtually every day. This, along with a healthy recovery, reaffirmed my faith in god, the church, and especially the presence of the Holy Spirit in our catholic community. I am a National Honor Society member, on the football team, in Latin club, in mock trial, and I maintain an above 4.0 weighted GPA. I also have acquired many service hours through the Boy Scouts of America along with mowing Father Keith s lawn for the past 3 years. Through all of these experiences, I have acquired the ability to manage my time wisely and responsibly. Our church as a whole is currently fulfilling its mission statement in many aspects. As a community, we support each other in many endeavors. As a personal example, following a TGIF session, the high school youth ministry carpooled to the hospital to visit and show support for a high school youth leader and his wife who had just given birth to their first child. This displays community amongst our parishioners. More broadly though, our parish has great focus on the Eucharist. At our parish there is a program to deliver the Eucharist to people without the ability to go to mass. Our church has a great many other community building programs that help people to express their devotion as disciples to god such as the walk for life, the annual crop walk, volunteer work at the soup kitchen, etc. Saint Katherine Drexel cannot affect the entire world all at once, but one mission at a time we are slowly bringing Christ's love to others. Continuing these and many other programs will continue to build community and leave a greater and greater impact on the world.

4 Thomas Gill AGE (if under 21): MEMBER OF SAINT KATHARINE DREXEL SINCE: 2003 YEAR OF CONFIRMATION: 2001 PLACE: Buffalo, NY I attended Christ the King Seminary in the Masters of Theology program. I have a law degree and a Masters in Business Administration. Please list any current or previous ministry experience at Saint Katharine Drexel or other parishes: I served on the Saint Katharine Drexel Parish Counsel and attend the Contemplative Prayer Group. I have been an Eucharistic Minister since I know that God has a plan for me but I don't know what that plan is. When I stumble or fall down I try, with God's help, to get back up and keep on going. I know the Church is the spiritual home of true saints. I also know it is led by men who do not always see the way clearly just as I do not. I pray that the leaders of our Church and all of us may open our hearts and surrender our will to God. For many years I have been a beginner at Contemplative prayer. I make a living as a lawyer, mostly in the civil rights area. I am a grandfather. Being a grandfather has reminds me that nothing is more important in life than caring for children. Saint Katharine Drexel Parish is a welcoming community full of loving disciples. This is a blessing and a gift to all who enter its doors or meet its people. The tasks which remain are to develop spiritually and to offer hospitality and care to the wider community of Frederick, Maryland, and the world.

5 Donald C. Gouker AGE (if under 21): MEMBER OF SAINT KATHARINE DREXEL SINCE: 2000 YEAR OF CONFIRMATION: 1982 PLACE: Saint John the Evangelist, Frederick, MD I earned a BS Degree in Business and Finance from Mount Saint Mary s College. I completed many Theology classes during my time at The Mount and certainly learned a new appreciation for my faith and what it means to be a Catholic. I have also earned an MBA from Frostburg State University. Please list any current or previous ministry experience at Saint Katharine Drexel or other parishes: My only current volunteer duty is assisting Jean, my wife, with the Drexel Ball Auction items. In the past I have served as a nursery volunteer and committee member for the Drexel Essay Contest. I have assisted with the Christmas Basket program both at Saint John s Church and at Saint Katharine; this mostly consisted of loading trucks and driving them to Saint Gregory s Church. I have also been a Christmas in April participant. I see my relationship with God as very personal. I know that God is with me in my times of need and is there when I celebrate my times of joy. With God, I know that I am never alone. I see the Church as tangible evidence of God. The Church is always there. The Catholic sacraments that we practice together not only bring us closer to God, but to each other, to our family and to ourselves. On April 1, 2000, I married Jean Robinson at Saint John the Evangelist in Frederick, with Fr. Keith as the presider. And, yes, there was an April fool s joke at the wedding! We have two children, William (11) and Margaret (8), who both attend Saint John s School. I attended Saint John s School as well. We believe God should be a part of our daily lives and that includes primary education. I was a member of Saint John s Church from baptism until becoming a part of the Saint Katharine Drexel community. We feel that we are truly blessed to be a part of such a warm and caring Church community. I am employed by Sierra Nevada Corporation, where I am the Business Manager for the Integrated Mission System division in Hagerstown, Maryland. Welcoming community and giving selflessly are two items that jump out at me whenever I see our mission statement. I am often in awe of the members of this community and how much they give of themselves. They give effortlessly of their time and talents, time and time again. They give on daily basis and for special events. My hope is that by serving on the parish council that, in small way, I can give back to my community.

6 Bob Landry AGE (if under 21): MEMBER OF SAINT KATHARINE DREXEL SINCE: 2000 YEAR OF CONFIRMATION: 1949 PLACE: Greenville, CT Catholic Elementary School, CYO, Eucharistic Minister Training, TGIF Please list any current or previous ministry experience at Saint Katharine Drexel or other parishes: Served as a Eucharistic Minister and Lector at both Mother Seton Parish in Germantown, MD, and at St Katharine Drexel. Served on Church building committee at Mother Seton Parish. My relationship to God is a personal one through daily contemplative prayer. I support the Church through the ministries and as a Catholic serving others. Served as manager of a branch of engineers and scientists concerned with safety of lasers and optical medical devices. Served on national and international committees developing safety standards for lasers and optical medical devices. We are blessed to have a Parish and Staff fulfilling our Mission Statement. We need to continue to be a welcoming community to all and to live our lives with a goal of serving others.

7 Erica Lazarus AGE (if under 21): MEMBER OF SAINT KATHARINE DREXEL SINCE: 2011 YEAR OF CONFIRMATION: 1987 PLACE: Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Montclair, NJ Please list any past theological or leadership training that would enhance your Former CCD Teacher (2nd grade and assistant to 5th grade class) Please list any current or previous ministry experience at Saint Katharine Drexel or other parishes: Liturgy, choir at St. James RC Church I am in the process of building a stronger relationship with God. I have reached a crossroads in my life and need him more now than ever before. I have a good relationship with both God and the Church. My greatest accomplishments are my children. All that I do in life is for them. My mother is my greatest influence and I would like to be the greatest influence for them. Having worked in corporate America since I was 24 years old, I have a great skill of being able to communicate with anyone. St. Katharine Drexel Parish can carry out their mission statement by keeping on the path that they are currently on. When my family and I moved to Frederick from Woodbridge, NJ, from the moment that I entered SKD, I felt at home. The community was and still is very welcoming and provides activities for all of their members regardless of age. I would love nothing more than to be a part of that community that helps shape the church and assist in the mission of the SKD

8 Marc L. Longenecker AGE (if under 21): MEMBER OF SAINT KATHARINE DREXEL SINCE: 2004 YEAR OF CONFIRMATION: 2001 PLACE: Mother Seton Parish, Germantown, MD 2 sessions of Grand Knight's College with the Knight's of Columbus Please list any current or previous ministry experience at Saint Katharine Drexel or other parishes: I am currently a parish lector, active member in the Knights of Columbus, and in the past have helped with the Mass set-up crews. My relationship with God and the Church is constantly growing and deepening. I feel very close to God personally, through my daily prayers and rosary devotion. By his grace I can feel his presence in my life daily through the love shared by my family. Through participation of the sacraments, I have grown closer to Him than I ever could have imagined. As a convert, the Catholic Church has welcomed me with open arms and has showed me how forgiving God is. The Church has also taught me that even though we all have our own faults and weaknesses, if we seek Him, and truly ask for His forgiveness for our sins and weaknesses with an open heart, He forgives us and loves us unconditionally. My personal life is truly one that is devoted to serving our Father, through my service to others and my family. I joined the Knights of Columbus 6 years ago to meet people at our parish and to become an active part of our parish. I had know idea at that time, how much my faith and devotion for God was going to deepen. Through my recent 2 year term as council Grand Knight I have gained a breadth of knowledge in group leadership, spiritual activities, family and youth programs, activity/event planning, fundraising, group financial responsibility and service in our com munity. I have spent my entire professional career in the Landscape Construction/Management Industry. Throughout my career, I have had held various roles in personnel /business management, customer/vendor relations, global purchasing/sales, and currently as a consultant/trainer and overall management of our snow side of the business. I feel by drawing on my personal life experiences that I can bring valuable support to our parish on many levels. I believe, that being a Eucharist-centered community, we become the loving disciples that our Creator meant for us all to be. Through the realization of the Kingdom of God, we form a welcoming community prepared to share the Word of God with our surrounding community. The more our parishioners give selflessly to the needs of our local community; our evangelization of Christ becomes apparent to those around us. Evangelization happens one person at time. The stronger our bond with God in our parish family and the Catholic Church, the greater our influence becomes on those who have not yet found, or have lost their relationship with God. As a community living our lives according to God's will, in full view of those surrounding us, I cannot help but believe that we will have a positive impact on our members, future members, community at large, one life at a time.

9 Ted Luck AGE (if under 21): MEMBER OF SAINT KATHARINE DREXEL SINCE: 2001 YEAR OF CONFIRMATION: 1959 PLACE: Washington, DC Taught CCD in at another parish, before Saint Katharine Drexel. Co-taught marriage preparation in anther parish, prior to SKD. Please list any current or previous ministry experience at Saint Katharine Drexel or other parishes: Previous ministries: Eucharistic minister at SKD, music ministry (adult choir), prior to SKD I have a very strong faith in God. I've been a Catholic since 1957 and have been tremendously blessed. --- Love the energy and diversity of Saint Katharine Drexel. I also love the welcoming environment of our parish community. I currently serve on the Board of Director of Advocates for Homeless Families and the Frederick Community Foundation. I'm a life long educator and a life long learner. Classroom teacher, school administrator, central office administrator with Frederick County Public Schools - 37 year career Current with Hood College, Director of Student Success and Out Reach and an adjunct instructor in the educational leadership grad program. First - Continue to be an inviting community Second - Continue to assess to needs of both the parish community and the larger community Third - Have in depth dialogue regarding the most effective ways to help Fourth - Take action, the parish community has many times demonstrated its compassion through action.

10 Mike Middeke AGE (if under 21): MEMBER OF SAINT KATHARINE DREXEL SINCE: 2000 YEAR OF CONFIRMATION: 1976 PLACE: St. Paul's Catholic Church, Highland, Illinois My wife Anna & I experienced a Worldwide Marriage Encounter (WWME) Weekend in The weekend had such an impact on our marital relationship, our Catholic faith, and the r ole of God and the Catholic Church in our marriage, that we went through the training required to share this experience with other couples. We presented Marriage Encounter weekends over the next 10 years the Los Angeles and Baltimore Archdiocese. In the late 90 s we spent two years as the Executive Team leading WWME for the Archdiocese of Baltimore. We met with priests and couples from dioceses up and down the East coast discussing the challenges and successes of the WWME movement, and those faced by our parish communities. The training and mentoring that we received in this process gave me a greater understanding of God s unconditional love and how our love for each other as husband and wife can be a glimpse of God s love for others around us. I also gained a greater appreciation of the Sacraments and how each of us as a couple, a family or a single is called to witness to the universal church. I will bring this past experience with me to the Pastoral Council if elected. Please list any current or previous ministry experience at Saint Katharine Drexel or other parishes: Since 2003 I participate with my wife, Anna, in the St. John s and St. Katharine Drexel Sponsor Couple Ministry providing Marriage Preparation training for engaged couples to be married in the Catholic Church. I participate with my family in the Coffee & Donuts Ministry following 9am Mass on Sunday mornings. Recently at the Ministry Fair in September I joined the Set-up Committee for Mass. I was one of the original members of the Community Faith Formation Ministry at SKD back in I participated in the development of our Vision Statement and the whole community catechesis program Together Growing in Faith (TGIF) on Sunday evenings. While I stepped down from the Ministry in the last couple years I still provide advertising sup port for TGIF. I am a 4th Degree Member of the SKD Knight of Columbus Council I served as Youth Director for 3 years planning and hosting the annual Soccer Shoot-out, Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest, Basketball Free Throw Competition, and Altar Server recognition for our parish and community children. I assisted my wife, Anna, in bringing the Guess Who s Coming to Dinner? event to SKD and helping plan and host it for several years. Again with my wife Anna, we led the Young Adult Ministry at St. Catherine Laboure Parish in Torrance, CA for several years before moving to Maryland in My relationship with God is that of a Father and son. I start each day reading His Word and seeking His wisdom, making a Morning Offering and asking Him to help me do His will. Like a father, I ask God to guide and protect me and all those around me. I find comfort in offering up my challenges, big or small, throughout the day, knowing that God will give me the grace I need to handle whatever comes my way. And humbled by the many blessings He has bestowed on me, my family and my community, I offer God thanksgiving and seek His forgiveness when I don t live up to His expectations. Much like a son who knows he has disappointed his dad! The Church provides me the means of nurturing my relationship with God. Celebrating Sunday Mass and (continued on next page)

11 receiving the Sacrament of Penance regularly are the basic necessities. I want to be around and learn from my Catholic brothers and sisters who are living their faith. I participate in a monthly Saturday Morning of Recollection and an Evening Gospel Study. Led by men who are pillars of the Catholic faith, they inspire me not only in my relationship with God, but to better understand my Catholic faith, to grow through spiritual reading, and to strive to bring others to the Church. I have a Bachelor s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois and a Master s degree in Microwave Engineering from the University of Southern California. I have been employed by Hughes for over 28 yrs. first in Los Angeles and now in Germantown, MD. I currently manage 2 departments and several multifunctional teams to develop specific products and processes within our company. My technical background will not necessarily enhance my service, but I think my experience working effectively with others and leading people will help me to contribute to the cohesiveness and productivity of the Pastoral Council. I think St. Katharine Drexel Parish has made great strides in carrying out our mission statement and serving others, but there are so many things in the world today that can distract us individually and as a parish community. To keep us on track we need to focus on and better understand the true meaning of the Eucharist in order to be Eucharist-centered. We also need to continually strive to learn about and be formed in our faith at all ages. This will give us the spiritual strength to step outside of our comfort zone which is often required to be true Disciples of Christ and realize the Kingdom of God.

12 Benoit Mirindi AGE (if under 21): MEMBER OF SAINT KATHARINE DREXEL SINCE: 2009 YEAR OF CONFIRMATION: 1975 PLACE: Bukavy, DRC Please list any past theological or leadership training that would enhance your From , I attended the Franciscan Seminary, where the program of study addressed a broad range of theological, social, and moral themes. In addition, the formation also provided me with a great opportunity for involvement in a number of ministries in the community courses and educational programs, including catechism, musing, and community service ministries. Please list any current or previous ministry experience at Saint Katharine Drexel or other parishes: In my life, I began getting church ministry since I was 14 year old, when I first led the group of young followers of the Legion of Mary (under 16 years old). At age 17, I became the leader of the youth followers of the Legion of Mary (>17 +), from our community (Presidium, to the Parish (Concilium), to the Diocese, (Senatus). I also led the music ministry both in my parish and in my High School, and in 1985, led my HS Choir to win a 3 rd Place in a singing competition that was organized by the Diocese (36 various choirs competed). I composed and directed songs that are still sung today in parishes in the Diocese of Bukavu. While I am not perfect, I strive to make sense of the gift of life that I am blessed to have, and always feel humbled for being so privileged more than many other good people out there. I find my faith foundation in God and in the Catholic Church in whom I was born and raised. I build my life, my family, and my carrier in God, and believe that he has done much more for me for his blessing come my way more often, despite our sinful nature. While I don t have much of what other council members may bring to the table, I hope to bring in my some of the skills in areas of my day-to-day involvement, including public entities and organizational financing (budgeting); public and organization management, public health and emergency planning and management; infectious disease prevention, all of which can be smartly put into use for a healthier community. One of the most possible ways to better carry out the parish mission is to remain committed to the teaching of the Catholic Church, to be more welcoming and inclusive, and to identify programs that advance and protect the social causes in our communities. The parish is a place of resourcing, a well of graces. It is crucial that spiritual oriented programs be put in place or those already in place may be advertised some more advertised to capture the attention of the church members who may be interested. Schedule does matter: some members may not have difficulty participating in existing programs due to the time the event take place, and that could suggest the need to revise the schedule. Other activities that could help in carrying out the parish mission might include collaboration with other parishes/parishioners, organizing events of spiritual or, social focus, specializing support services from the church to parishioners, etc.

13 Brigitte Nkamsi AGE (if under 21): MEMBER OF SAINT KATHARINE DREXEL SINCE: 2009 YEAR OF CONFIRMATION: 1979 PLACE: Victoria service to community: I have not had any theological training but I had the opportunity to attend a boarding Catholic my secondary school and high ran by Nuns of the Holy Rosary. During these years I gained leadership experiences as I lead the school in the capacity of music Leader. I lead the school during retreats as well. I also lead the school during prayers at daily masses. I have also had the opportunity to obtain Leadership training through Society of Women Engineers (SWE) as well as American Society of Quality (ASQ) and Regulatory Affairs Professional Society (RAPS). Please list any current or previous ministry experience at Saint Katharine Drexel or other parishes: Lector, Bereavement Ministry, Takedown, Volunteering at the Visitation Academy, St. John s parish office, Choir leader, Retreat leader Through prayers I communicate with God. I do this constantly in search of answers and direction in all I do in life. I believe that there is something that God wants me to do and I have been searching for quite some time. I feel deep down in me that I am almost there. I have always been communicating with God through prayers as far back as I can remember. I can recall an incident when I was 6 years old; I wanted to be the best in my class and I kept prayer to God every day. I would do so in my room with my door locked and little did I know my Mom was listening to my prayers. At the end of the school year when I was the first in my class, my Mom said to me: I hope you will not forget to also thank God for giving you what you have been asking. I realized then that she had been listening to my prayers. I attended an all-girl secondary/high school that was run by Rev. Sisters of the Holy Rosary. During those years I was molded for this type of service. I always lead school retreats as well as choir. I lead the school in our daily prayers at the Chapel during my last year. During my professional years I had the opportunity to put systems in place from scratch in Pharmaceutical, Medical Device and Biotech Companies. This can be achieved in several ways and one would be through educating members of the parish on how to be a disciple as well as reaching out to non-members of the community and inviting them to church. We can also achieve this by reaching out to other parishes all over the world to introduce diversity to the parish.

14 Richard O Connor AGE (if under 21): MEMBER OF SAINT KATHARINE DREXEL SINCE: 2010 YEAR OF CONFIRMATION: 1939 PLACE: St. Mary s Church, Gloversville, NY Gloversville, HS, Class of 1947 St. Bonaventure University, Class of 1952 US Army, enlisted Biophysics Group, Fort Detrick, MD, US Army Medical Bioengineering R&D, Fort Detrick, Physics Teacher, St. John HS at Prospect Hall, Please list any current or previous ministry experience at Saint Katharine Drexel or other parishes: Member nights of Columbus since 1949, Past Grand Knight, Past Faithful Navigator Member, parish council, St. John the Evangelist Parish, Frederick, It is hard to describe, I have been a Catholic all my life. I have never doubted and as a result am firmly a Catholic. I hope that the problems that are occurring now with prayer and effort will disappear. Service on Parish Councils in other churches. Work with the children. The principal problem today is the absence of whole hearted effort to this end.

15 Jan Scudiero AGE (if under 21): MEMBER OF SAINT KATHARINE DREXEL SINCE: 2003 YEAR OF CONFIRMATION: 1988 PLACE: Saint John the Evangelist, Frederick, MD Just Faith Courses: 30 week basic course and 4 eight week modules (the federal government budget, the environment, immigration/migration, the working poor) 4 30 week in depth Community Bible Study Courses 6 Frederick School of Religion Courses - Synoptic Gospels, Psalms, Hymnology, History of the English Bible, Handel's Messiah and Brahm's Requiem Numerous Federal Government Training Courses during a 40 year career. Please list any current or previous ministry experience at Saint Katharine Drexel or other parishes: Founding member and co-chair, Drexel Voyager Senior Group, Bereavement Luncheon volunteer, Social Justice Committee, Citizens Nursing Home Mass Volunteer, Soup Kitchen Volunteer, over 10 years Homeless Shelter Volunteer, Sunday School Catechist and CLOW, St. John's, Frederick, Steering Committee, Fourth Presbyterian Church Singles Group that began a weekly scripture class with over 200 participants, Bethesda, 1975 I was baptized at a protestant church. Growing up I was a regular at Sunday school, church, youth group and later sang in the choir. I always had a yearning for God and knew He was caring for me. In high school I was the president of the Bible Club and started nightly Bible reading and memorization. Many of the verses I learned then are still with me. In university I was in a small group dorm Bible study. For nearly twenty years I was active in small group Bible studies. In these small group studies I grew in my faith and developed close friendships. I started attending mass when my husband and I were dating and grew to love the mass liturgy. After I married in 1979 and moved to Frederick a year later, I missed the close friendships and fellowship of these small Bible studies. My life had changed. Also I now was commuting to the DC suburbs. We settled in at St. John's. In 1982 we had a lovely daughter who is our pride and joy. With family life and working it was difficult to participate in many church activities. In 2003 we followed friends to SKD. Nick and I enjoyed the Bensalem groups, and out of them began an informal Sunday breakfast group. Over 10 years ago, our last Bensalem group decided to volunteer monthly at the Frederick Soup Kitchen both to help out and keep in touch with one another, and we still meet there every 4th Friday. (continued on next page)

16 In 2007 I retired and had the good sense to ask a retired friend to mentor me in this new life. She invited me to her Tuesday morning Bensalem group, which was the beginning of my becoming involved and having a new church family. Three years later I volunteered to help start the new SKD senior group which became the Drexel Voyagers. Our planning group has monthly meetings in addition to the monthly luncheons. Five of the original members are still on the committee, and we've become close. Others have joined us. It is a great joy for me and the others on the committee to see Drexel Voyagers grow and thrive as our friendships have with one another. I continue my almost nightly Bible reading and prayer. Nick and I will soon be married 33 years. I barely can remember not being married to him. He retired last summer. Nick is my rock. He now looks forward to going to Voyagers with me. We had the opportunity to travel and take courses together, currently the SKD immigration/migration class and beginning Italian. Our daughter teaches in nearby Catonsville and we keep in close touch with her. We are looking forward to taking her on an extended family trip to Italy next year. I have a degree in chemistry from the University of Michigan. Later I earned a masters degree in biochemistry part-time at Georgetown University while working full time. For 40 years, I've worked at HHS agencies: NIH (basic research), NIOSH (occupational safety and health research), and FDA (medical device reviews, regulations development, and FDA advisory panel activities, including recruitment and being the panel focal person within and outside the agency. My FDA years were the highpoint of my career. I still stay in touch with some colleagues who are now good friends. Since retiring in 2007, in addition activities at SKD, I've attended a vibrant exercise class, 3 times a week. I love shade gardening and became a master gardener (now inactive). Nick and I find volunteering at the homeless shelter and soup kitchen a good reality check. I also am in a monthly book club and usher at the Weinberg Center. I believe that SKD can continue to grow, mature and thrive in living out its mission statement. I also believe that the church is the people of God wherever we are, and we all need one another. Having a less than ideal space probably has enhanced the building of our SKD community, our invisible church. It will be good and gratifying to see our own building rise up as we look toward our future. Prayerfully participating together we can continue growing and thriving as we worship, increase our knowledge of our faith, and lovingly serve of one another and those beyond our immediate fellowship.

17 Kim L. Williams AGE (if under 21): 17 MEMBER OF SAINT KATHARINE DREXEL SINCE: 2000 YEAR OF CONFIRMATION: 1975 PLACE: Covington, Lousiana I have been past PTA President at Whittier Elementary and West Frederick Middle Schools. I have been an active member of the PTA Organization for the past 25 years. I have devoted my time tirelessly to many organizations in hopes that what I do would be of help to at least one person. Please list any current or previous ministry experience at Saint Katharine Drexel or other parishes: I taught CCD classes at my home for many years in addition to volunteering at Saint Katharine Drexel. We were members of St. John the Evangelist Church also helped there. God and I have a very good relationship. He is the boss and I am the faithful follower. Although, last year with the sudden death of my husband and the father to our 3 sons, there were many uncertain times and unanswered questions for God, and deep soul searching for me. I am a true believer in his God's goodness and evident in what is happening in my life now. I am a mother of 3 sons and Grandmommy to 3 grandsons. My kids and husband were my whole life. I do not believe that we would have made it without God's grace and the help of our family and friends during the most difficult time in our lives. I truly enjoy being with and helping other people. I really enjoy sports, being there and watching it on TV. I was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, and have been in Frederick for the 21 years I believe that Saint Katharine Drexel Church community does what it mission statement says. We are "Helping Hands" to Frederick, our communities, the state, the US, and the World. We provide services, money, and time to those in need. We could not ask for more from a community. We are always there for those in need. I like the way our church is Welcoming to those not of the church. I hear comments on how many services we provide and how warm and welcoming we are. It warms my heart to be a part of that.