I’ve been Director of RCIA at Our Lady of Humility since 1996, coordinating the process; but have served with my husband, Jack, on the RCIA team since 1982, giving presentations on Sacraments 101 and Baptism, plus inquiry and catechuminate sessions.

Jack and I have four children and thankfully live close by so we can be very involved in our 7 grandchildren’s lives.
When our 2 oldest children were ages 5 & 3, we belonged to a parish that was closing their Catholic school. I was fortunate to get in on the ground floor of a newly-forming Catechetical Center. At the time no published program existed in the U.S. for pre-school and kinder-garden children, so I was able to help establish programs for these ages, teaching religious education at many grade levels at both our last parish and at OLH for many years; also serving a term on the first religious education board in our parish.

Along the way, Jack and I helped start a teen ministry called COR. It’s goal was “teens reaching out to teens” and it worked with teen ministry. The adult leaders ministered to the team leaders. What a great time we had.

When we decided to take a little time off in 1982, Fr. Joe Curtis called us and said, “Have I got a deal for you! There’s a group that recently started, called RCIA: you’ll love it, just come and see.” Well, we did and we stayed! I am eternally grateful for that ‘phone call’ way back then, since I can’t imagine not being involved in RCIA.

I’ve been extremely privileged to be a Eucharistic Minister for many years.  Both, Jack and I were active in CFM (Christian Family Movement) here at OLH and at our previous parish.
 

1. What year and how did you come into the Catholic faith and OLH community?

1. I came into the Church in 1961. At the time there was no RCIA process and Arden and I met with Fr. Slattery at St. Patrick’s in Wadsworth. We would meet once a week during the summer. The meetings were supposed to last only an hour, but almost always went 2-3 hours. We first came to OLH in 1969 when we move back to this area from Park Forest, IL

2. What church activities, past and present, have you been involved with?

The first church activity I was involved with was CFM (Christian Family Movement). Arden and I were both involved as it was for couples. We were a leader couple in Park Forest, IL. It was also the first activity we were involved with when we came to OHL. I was not involved an any other church activities until Arden and I got involved in starting a teen ministry. I have been a Minister of Communion for a number of years now. I was on the steering committee that established the current Parish Pastoral Council and served as chairman for three terms. I am currently a team member for RCIA

3. What RCIA roles, past and present have you played (sponsor, etc.) and what topics of discussion do you focus on?

I have been a team member for many years. I give the presentations on the New Testament, Acts and the Early Church, Marriage, Sin and Grace with Don and The Catholic Way of Life.

Abba began her Catholic journey of faith in 1958....the same year she married her husband.  In 1975 she moved to Illinois from Missouri and became a member of the Our Lady of Humility community.  Throughout the years, Abba has been a teacher of Religious Education classes, an RCIA sponsor and is currently an RCIA team member and OLH Communion Minister.  Her kindness to others and dedication to the Church does not go unnoticed. 

Info coming soon!

Info coming soon!

Info coming soon!

Info coming soon!