MIDDLETON — In 2006, Andrew Ziehr’s life began unravelling because he was drinking too much. He got divorced, lost custody of his children, and lost his housing, his job, and his health.
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| Catholic Charities Leadership Award recipients pictured with Jackson Fonder, third from left, president and CEO of Catholic Charities, and Bishop Robert C. Morlino are, from left: Bryan J. Thompson, St. Joseph Parish, Baraboo; Francis J. Fruzen, St. Jude Parish, Beloit; Susan Hundt-Bergan, Blessed Sacrament Parish, Madison; and Judd T. Schemmel, Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Madison. (Catholic Herald photo/Pam Payne) |
Fortunately for Ziehr, he came to the Chris Farley House in Madison, which helped him transition back into the community after treatment for alcohol abuse.
“During his time at the Chris Farley House, Andrew re-engaged in his life, his children’s lives, his parent’s lives, his employment — all due to his dedication to his recovery,” said Fran Augustine, associate director of Hope Haven, a Catholic Charities company affiliated with the Chris Farley House.
Andrew Ziehr was one of four clients who received President’s Awards presented by Jackson Fonder, president and CEO of Catholic Charities (CC), at the 18th annual CC Faith in Action Celebration held on November 5 at the Marriott Hotel in Middleton.
The stories of the President’s Award recipients were shared at the celebration dinner in videos produced by American Family Insurance. Their stories show how Catholic Charities makes a difference and brings hope to people — and how these individuals in turn help others.
Called to be hands of Christ
In welcoming nearly 500 people attending the dinner, Fonder said it would be an evening of “celebration, inspiration, and storytelling.”
He promised, “You will hear success stories from leaders, clients, volunteers, and two high school leaders. Our award recipients, volunteers, and staff are called to be the hands of Christ today. The critical services we perform are bridges of hope and support for those who need it.”
In his remarks at the dinner, Bishop Robert C. Morlino noted that he had met Pope Francis recently for the first time. “He sent his blessing and love,” said the bishop. “You live out what he is so concerned about: charity to our sisters and brothers.”
Bishop Morlino said Pope Francis has warned that the Catholic Church and Catholic Charities can never become an NGO (non-governmental organization). Rather, said the bishop, “Pope Francis sees the mission of Catholic Charities as primarily bringing Jesus Christ to people. That’s why we exist.”
The bishop said that “what makes someone great in heaven is being poor in spirit. If that truth saturates our work of charity, then that truth saturates the world.”
Bishop Morlino thanked those working with and supporting Catholic Charities for what they do. “I could not be more grateful,” he said.
The event honors those who put their faith in action and provides financial support for Catholic Charities’ many programs.
Master of Ceremonies Jay Wilson of WISC-TV, Channel 3, introduced priests, Sisters, and deacons present at the dinner as well as past award recipients, members of the Catholic Charities Board, Awards Dinner Committee, and CC staff.
Leadership Awards
Dick Brachman, Catholic Charities Board chair, presented four Leadership Awards to Catholics in the community who consistently incorporate Catholic values in their leadership and affect the lives of many others.
Recipients this year with some of their comments (in italics) are:
• Francis J. Fruzen has been involved at St. Jude Parish, Beloit, as a member of the Pastoral Council and as a trustee. He spent 50 years in public education and service, most recently as coordinator of safe and drug-free programs for the School District of Beloit from 2004 to 2011. He has been active in local and state-wide educational and community organizations, including serving as president of the Beloit Youth to Youth Program from 2000 to 2012.
“I have always believed that everyone has the potential to give something back to their profession, to their faith, and to their community (not necessarily in that order).”
• Susan Hundt-Bergan is a member of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Madison, where she is active in a variety of liturgical and leadership roles. She has been involved in many state-wide and community efforts. She was especially cited for her work in the Dane County Catholic Jail Ministry, in which she has served since 2004 and has been coordinator since 2007.
“I accept this award in the name of all the priests, men, and women involved in jail ministry. I have spent most Thursday nights for nine years behind bars. We share the Good News that God loves each of us. We alternate Mass and Word and Communion Services each week. We have a time of reflection afterwards, in which people in the jail speak of their regrets, hopes, and fears. They always thank us. Pray for our brothers and sisters in jail. Reach out to them in compassion.”
• Judd T. Schemmel is a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in Madison, where he has served on the school commission and various committees and is an usher at Mass. He served as president of Edgewood High School in Madison from 2005 to 2013 and prior to that was executive director of the Wisconsin Council of Religious and Independent Schools. He is currently federal governmental affairs director for American Family Insurance.
“In the Edgewood family, we put our faith in action using our Dominican values and heritage. I believe no one lives their faith more consistently than my mom, Janet. She showed incredible love for her 10 children and as a nurse at Oakwood Village. The way my mom lived her faith is an inspiration to me and many others.”
• Bryan J. Thompson is a member of St. Joseph Parish in Baraboo, where he has been active in helping with fish fries, the parish festival, the tractor pull, as an usher, and as a photographer. He is also active in the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion, and at Camp Gray.
“I put my faith in action by sharing my gifts and talents with others with love and joy. In my unofficial position as St. Joseph faith formation assistant (helping my wife, Becky, who is the director of faith formation), Becky often finds projects for me to help with and it is a true labor of love.”
Youth Faith in Action Awards
Catholic Charities established its Youth Faith in Action Awards four years ago to provide a scholarship for deserving high school seniors who put their faith into action through service in their parish, school, home, and community. Students who are nominated write an essay discussing the ways they live out their faith.
Patty Chryst, co-chair of the Faith in Action Celebration Committee, said all parishes in the diocese were invited to nominate outstanding high school seniors. The award winners are:
• Annalise Panthofer, a senior at Stoughton High School and member of St. Ann Parish in Stoughton. At her parish, she has been involved on mission trips and in Liturgy of the Word for Children. She has also been active in many school activities. She said that her experience on mission trips has so “heavily influenced my life, as well as my love for God’s children, that they have led me into the field of pediatrics, which I plan to prepare for in college, and carry through in the Peace Corps afterwards.”
• Jordan Stiefel, a senior at Sun Prairie High School and a member of St. Albert the Great Parish in Sun Prairie. At his parish, he has been a mission trip participant, a religious education teacher, and a volunteer at the parish festival and a team member of the Catholic Youth Organization. He has also been a volunteer in the Sun Prairie food pantry and involved in school activities. He said, “I have volunteered my time, effort, and love to help others and to serve God. I always try to put my faith into action any time I can because I know that if you help others and spread the Word of God, they may, too.”
President’s Awards
Jackson Fonder is continuing the tradition of presenting President’s Awards, which were begun in 2001 to recognize success stories of CC clients. “These awards show how our mission provides help and hope. This year’s award recipients have overcome many obstacles and challenges,” said Fonder.
The recipients told their stories in video segments, alongside Catholic Charities’ staff who work with them. The honorees included:
• Jackson Aleman, a client in the FACE-Kids program, a cooperative effort to help strengthen and improve children’s lives and family life by offering the opportunity to be part of a supportive group with others in a similar situation, and FACE-Kids Connections, which links children and families to community mental health services.
Jackson had been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and struggled with anxiety symptoms at school. Through the FACE programs, his grades improved at school and he is a happier, giving child. He now volunteers at Centro Hispano and the Catholic Multicultural Center and helps other young people in similar situations to those he experienced.
• Nancy Onken, a volunteer with the St. Dennis Respite Care Team in Madison. In her role as team leader, she coordinates an average of 100 hours of monthly service produced by 25 team members to over 25 people.
She herself suffered three serious bouts with cancer. “Her last experience almost took her life, but God healed her and she continues her ever-present positive attitude in serving others,” said Lynda Koivunen, assistant director of aging services with Catholic Charities.
• Bradley Roethler, a client in the Community Connections program in Rock County. Roethler was born as a twin and after birth he was diagnosed with spina bifida. He graduated from high school in 2009. At that point he was put on a waiting list for the Community Connections program, which gives adults with developmental disabilities or traumatic brain injury the opportunity for daily community integration and activity.
Roethler was able to start the program in 2012. Since he got involved in the Community Connections program, he has flourished and has become an active participant in life at the community center and at home.
• Andrew Ziehr, a client in Hope Haven-Chris Farley House in Madison. Ziehr’s situation was described at the beginning of this article. His experiences at the Chris Farley House have helped him transition from intense treatment for alcohol abuse back into the community.
He has found a job and has continued to rebuild his relationship with his family. “Andrew has continued to succeed in his ‘sober life’ and has become one of the examples that the counselors share with new clients entering the treatment program,” said Fran Augustine of Hope Haven. “All the while, Andrew has remained sober and is a shining example of what ‘recovery’ means — he has recovered his life.”
To learn more about Catholic Charities’ programs and services, or to donate securely online, visit ccmadison.org