On Sunday, October 2nd, the friars at the Franciscan Connection honored some of their long-time friends, volunteers and benefactors with the agency’s first Franciscan Spirit Awards. It was standing room only in the friars’ choir at St. Anthony of Padua Friary where everyone gathered for a celebration of the Eucharist. Fr. Nathan McNally, OFM, a member of the Stone-by-Stone Project Board, presided, reflecting on how the awardees live out the Peace Prayer’s call: “it is in giving that we receive.”

After communion, Bro. Leo Geurts, OFM, executive director, and Bro. Donald Lachowicz, OFM, home maintenance coordinator, called each honoree up to receive a token of appreciation.

Among the honorees was our own, Bro. Jack Hardesty, OFM, who helped develop the Franciscan Connection webpage on the Province site: www.thefriars.org/connection. Be sure to check it out!

Also honored were the Secular Franciscans of St. Anthony Fraternity who regularly help with bulk mailings and adopting a family for Christmas. Mickey Hughes, a 1983 Quincy University alumna, was acknowledged for involving her husband and two kids in several of the home repair projects. Likewise, the QU Alumni Association was honored for their active support of the Franciscan Connection and for their help organizing an annual QU Alumni Day of Service in St. Louis. Friend-Raising Committee member, Mike Dietrich ’98, accepted the award on behalf of the university.

Other awardees included: Nelda Devine, Marie Mergel, and Mary Jane Kubik, long-time clerical volunteers recruited way back by Frs. Tom Shaughnessy & Gratian Nosal. Benefactors acknowledged were Sr. Patricia Paczosa, OSF, who was honored for her years of work at St. Blaise School, “pinching pennies for the poor,” and Assumption Church for its regular tithing contributions.

The Stone-by-Stone Project also recognized some of its supporters: Retirees Wally Feld (of St. Francis of Assisi Parish) and Marty Grade were honored for sharing their talents out on weekly repair projects. Similarly, College Hauling & Disposal, Ron Oberkrom & Son Plumbing, and New City Fellowship Church were recognized for their help with Bro. Donald’s bigger home renovation endeavors.

Provincial Fr. John Doctor concluded the ceremony with words of appreciation for the many ways that our friends, coworkers, volunteers and benefactors inspire us friars by the Franciscan witness they give to the world.

The celebration continued in the friars’ dining room where Food Service Consultants’ Kim Douglas prepared a delicious feast of snacks and goodies. Many of the guests stayed into the evening for a celebration of the Transitus and spaghetti dinner organized by the St. Anthony Fraternity of Secular Franciscans. It truly was a day of Franciscan Spirit!