HOBART – For all they do in the Diocese of Gary and surrounding communities, the Serra Club of Northwest Indiana honored religious sisters with food and fun at an annual Fall Luncheon on Oct. 25 at St. Bridget.
Pumpkins, leaves and other autumn decor decorated the parish hall as 16 sisters arrived to a warm welcome from Serrans that included gift bags, appetizers and guessing games.
“It is such a joy to have you all here with us. Thank you for coming,” said event organizer JoEllen Huppenthal, of Crown Point, a parishioner at Holy Name of Jesus in Cedar Lake.
After a bountiful buffet lunch, the guests were invited to play lively games of reverse bingo and corn hole, with prizes for all winners.
“This was really fun!” said Sister Mary Ellen Goeller, PHJC, who tries to attend the event each year.
Several religious orders were represented, including members of the newly-elected General Council of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, who lead sisters in nine countries and are meeting in Northwest Indiana for two months. “We are charged with meeting with each of our sisters around the world at least once during our term, so we do a lot of travelling,” explained Sister Michele Dvorak, PHJC, of the religious order headquartered in Germany.
“They do so much good and their mission is about what Catholics are supposed to do, yet the sisters are neglected a lot by everyone, so it is only right that the Serra Clubs recognize them,” said John Vidal, of Holy Spirit in Winfield, Serra Club president. “Often the sisters are the most self-less group and it would be a shame to do nothing for them. They work in the hospitals and schools, feed the poor, and care for women who are abused – all Catholic causes.
“They are every bit as important as priests,” he added, “doing everything that all of us should be doing.”
Angie Zellers, who keeps in contact with all Diocese of Gary seminarians, also tries to keep in touch with religious novices from the diocese. “We have two new novices from Chesterton, and we have Serran families who have ‘adopted’ them,” she said. Erin Grimes is a Holy Cross novice studying in Idaho, along with another woman from the area who is pursuing a religious vocation.
“Some parents have a difficult time giving their children to God’s service, as priests and sisters; they want grandchildren,” Zellers said. “We try to fill a parental role by sending them cards and small gifts, and hosting events for them.”
Patti Carpenter, a two-year Serra Club member from St. John and a parishioner at St. Michael the Archangel in Schererville, said she feels “the sisters’ dedication to the Lord” deserves recognition and support. “Sometimes they are overlooked. I enjoyed being in the Serra club more and more, the more I get involved.”
Serra Club member Frank Villareal noted that the sisters “do a lot of the work that other people don’t want to do, helping the sick and destitute. Saint Mother Teresa is a great example of their commitment to our faith and doing good works. It is only right that we support them.”
Dorene Albright, of Schererville, a parishioner at St. James the Less in Highland and a Serra Club member for only six months, said religious sisters “have a long legacy of service in Northwest Indiana, working in our Catholic hospitals, teaching our children and operating Sojourner Truth House in Gary. They do so much in our communities.”
The Serra Club of NWI meets at 6 p.m. monthly on the third Monday at St. Bridget in Hobart. Each meeting starts with a Holy Hour including Eucharistic Adoration as they pray for Diocese of Gary seminarians and an increase in priestly and religious vocations to serve the faithful in Northwest Indiana. A business meeting, and sometimes a speaker, follows. New members are always welcome. For more information, contact the club at serraclubnwi@gmail.com.
Caption: Father Ben Ross, pastor at St. Bridget in Hobart, talks with (left) Sister Benita Maria, C.M.C. and Sister Serene Jacob, C.M.C., both members of the Congregation of Mother of Carmel. St. Bridget hosted the annual luncheon hosted by the Serra Club of Northwest Indiana for religious sisters on Oct. 25. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
