Meet St. John’s Parishioner Eileen Hartl: Blessed to Help Where Help Is Needed

St. John’s is truly home for Eileen Hartl. She considers many parishioners to be like family. People have been there for her since she became a member in 1984, especially when her husband, Gary, passed away in 2019.

Eileen grew up attending St. Pius X in Appleton. She fell away from the Catholic faith at a young age but had a profoundly moving experience with Christ that brought her back, along with her parents. She became part of a ministry where she would visit sick parishioners at the local hospital — this was a springboard for involvement in the church.

“I wanted to help where help was needed,” Eileen says.

Gary grew up in Antigo and was baptized at St. John’s. When Eileen started attending St. John’s, it took her a little time to get involved.

“I saw other people were involved, and I was inspired,” she says. “There were women serving as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, and I looked up to them.”

So, Eileen started getting involved with Bible studies and was asked to be a catechist for Religious Education. She led the Religious Education program in Phlox for 11 years and at St. John’s for three. Religious education is one of Eileen’s favorite ministries in which she has been involved over the years. In fact, Eileen has a lot of ministries to choose from as her favorite. She’s involved in Eucharistic Adoration, the Prayer Chain, and Liturgy Ministry. She also serves as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, Rosary leader, lector, and sacristan.

Eileen is very thankful to have the opportunity to attend Eucharistic Adoration, both as a committed adorer and whenever she wants to stop in. She often goes to the chapel on her way home from her part-time job at Antigo High School to do night prayer.

“I always think, ‘I have one more stop on my way home,’” she says. “I have to go be with Jesus.”

Seeing other people in our community practice their faith gives Eileen a lot of strength.

“I see people at Mass that I know are struggling,” she says. “It means a lot to see them there.”

Eileen wants to encourage other people to get involved in a parish ministry. She knows what a difference it has made in her life, as serving has helped her build another family at the parish. She has also grown in her relationship with the Lord.

“You are in a poor relationship if you are only receiving,” she says. “Then, it becomes something you take for granted. We need to give too. I don’t want to take my faith for granted.”

In addition to her service in the parish, Eileen volunteers with Living Waters International, which supports African missions. She’s been to Africa several times, including this past fall. An anonymous donor paid for a student hostel to be built in Gary’s name, and Eileen was present for the dedication. The hostel will house students, allowing them to be closer to school and have more time for focusing on their studies.

Eileen enjoys all the opportunities she has to give of herself to parish ministries and Living Waters International. She knows she is very blessed.

Eileen Hartl (right) with Tami Malina, as Tami presents music instruments donated by Antigo Area Schools to go to Kenya.