Welcome to <strong>our</strong> newest members! They will receive the Sacraments of Initiation and enter the <strong>Catholic</strong> <strong>Church</strong> at the Easter Vigil on March 30. Alondra Becerra Francisco Becerra David Denzy Penny Dippold Evan Dodds Shawn Little Gaston Palafox Sarahy Palafox Nathan Pellman C<strong>our</strong>tney Presar Maggie Rotunna Michelle Ryan Rhea Scott Mike <strong>St</strong>ella 2
“Spirit and Truth.” It was the response Jesus gave to the woman he met that day at the well as he was passing through Samaria. Part of the dialogue between Jesus and the Samaritan woman was about worship. Jesus informs her that the h<strong>our</strong> is coming, and is already here, when true worshippers will worship the Father in Spirit and Truth; and indeed the Father seeks such people to worship him. God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and Truth. Sunday after Sunday we gather to proclaim and experience the Spirit of God. Then, we are sent into the world to live out this reality in truth. Namely, to do, to make present in the world what we profess in church. While we are all called to worship and live out <strong>our</strong> lives in Spirit and Truth, there are some among us who go well beyond such a call. We know them. We see them. We experience their Spirit and Truth in the daily market places of <strong>our</strong> lives. Often such people go unnoticed. Yet, their contribution to <strong>our</strong> parish, <strong>our</strong> city and this world is enormous. <strong>St</strong>arted in 2009, <strong>our</strong> <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Columban</strong> <strong>Catholic</strong> Community gives the <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Columban</strong> Spirit and Truth Award on an annual basis. Our past Spirit and Truth Award honorees are fellow parishioners who are outstanding in their faith, who gather with us on Sunday to worship in Spirit and in Truth, who live out their baptismal call on a daily basis, who promote and inspire others into living out their own lives in Spirit and Truth, and who take seriously the command of Jesus to serve others. The 2013 honorees were nominated by fellow parishioners and presented their award at the Grand Affair on February 23. Congratulations and thank you to the 2013 Spirit and Truth Honorees – we are truly blessed to have you as part of <strong>our</strong> <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Columban</strong> Community! DUSTAN BRAY and his wife <strong>St</strong>ephanie and their two high school aged daughters, Nora and Maeve, joined <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Columban</strong> parish in 2001. Since then, Dustan has been involved in all aspects of life at <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Columban</strong>. You may see him at Sunday Mass where he serves as a Eucharistic Minister leader, or on the volleyball c<strong>our</strong>t where he has coached for many years. Maybe it was leading a pack of boy scouts to their next campout, even though he doesn’t have a son in the troop, or maybe you have seen him or his name next to publicity for the High School Youth Group. A year and a half ago, Dustan saw the need to start a youth group for <strong>our</strong> parish. Dustan and a team of other parents came up with a plan for a youth group. With Dustan in the lead it was destined to be a success. Cissy, who nominated him, stated, “We all admire Dustan’s enthusiasm and “can do” attitude, especially where youth are involved.” Dustan doesn’t just come up with ideas for meetings, but he is the one doing the research, finding people who are successful in youth ministry and learning from their best practices. He uses the latest technology to reach <strong>our</strong> youth, and most importantly, “puts himself out there for them.” Amy Maricocchi, said, “ Dustan is someone who makes a deep impression on <strong>our</strong> teens because he is willing to share his faith, show them how important it is to stand up for y<strong>our</strong> faith, and really challenge them to live out their faith. He also loves working with them and being a great role model for <strong>our</strong> teens.” Congratulations, Dustan! ANA INFANTINO is someone that makes you wonder where she gets all her energy. Ana and her husband Chris, who joined the parish in 2001, are raising f<strong>our</strong> children: AJ who goes to <strong>St</strong>. Xavier and Maria, Alina and Dominic who attend <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Columban</strong> School. She started volunteering as a preschool teacher when her children were in Sunday school. She decided her skills were better served in the administrative side so she helped coordinate the program. But she didn’t stop there. When a committee was forming for the first Grand Affair 10 years ago, Ana jumped on board and would be a part of that committee for the next 8 years. As a young mom, she saw other groups in the area that provided fellowship and instead of joining one of those, she decided to start one herself at <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Columban</strong>. Mom’s Connection was a huge success and between play dates, scrapbooking, speakers, and great social events, this group was just what Ana had envisioned. When her children entered school, she helped in the classroom, was a room mom, helped with fund drives, coached and served as PTO president and vice-president. She attended CRHP and recruited an amazing amount of people for the following year. Tara Nelson stated, “Ana is generous and giving in every aspect.” Even though Ana is now a personal trainer and works at Simply Power Yoga, as well as a part time aide at <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Columban</strong>, she continues to do whatever she can to volunteer. Kristin <strong>St</strong>ock says, “Ana is the one you can call and she is more than happy to give of herself to help anyone.” Congratulations, Ana! For LEN TIMMEL, church has always been important and central to his life and he has quietly lived his faith for the past 81 years. He lives out his baptismal call of service every day, and his grown children, Alison Moriarity (husband Jim), <strong>St</strong>eve Timmel (wife Mary), Donna Schinke (husband Mark), and Lisa Timmel, can tell you that attending church has never been optional for Len. Leonard and his wife, Joyce, who have been married for 51 years, moved to <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Columban</strong> parish when his grandchildren started school here. He wanted to support the parish that was educating his family and he has never missed a Grandparent’s Day! He worked many years on the festival set-up and tear-down committee, keeping pace with much younger men. He could even be found grilling chicken over the open pit even when he was in his 70’s. In his 80’s Len slowed down by manning the Primetimer’s Split the Pot booth for the entire weekend! Many of you may know Leonard as an 11:30 usher, or a member of Primetimers, but do you know what his other passion is…taking care of the many plants and church grounds at <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Columban</strong>. The parish staff can tell you that he is up here all the time pruning, weeding, and watering in the hottest of summer days. In the fall he is weeding out the beds, trimming the bushes back and in the spring he is cleaning out beds and planting new bulbs. Our parish has beautiful landscaped beds and flowers because Leonard takes care of them. Kathy Cox, who designs and purchases the flowers and arranges the beds says, “There is no way we could have such beautiful flowers and landscaped areas if it wasn’t for Leonard. He works over and above keeping everything green and thriving. He is a great guy!” He has found the way to serve <strong>our</strong> parish community in the most behind the scenes way by bringing such beauty to <strong>our</strong> grounds for us to enjoy! Congratulations, Leonard! 3
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