Meet Dr. Byron Lake and Dr. Neva Monigatti-Lake: Using Talents for God's Glory

After Dr. Byron Lake and Dr. Neva Monigatti-Lake finished their medical school residency, they traveled around the world for about a year, from 1988 to 1989. During that time, God touched their hearts in an extraordinary way and revealed to them what their medical profession was truly all about.

“We spent about three months as missionary doctors, working with St. Mother Teresa's sisters, the Missionaries of Charity, in Calcutta, India,” Neva says. “Byron worked with a British physician for a street clinic for lepers. It was wonderful. Each morning at 6:30 a.m., we went to Mass with the sisters, and in the evening, we all had adoration along with the Rosary.”

They savor many memories from this time of service, but especially that of being in the company of Mother Teresa herself.

“We got to meet Mother Teresa,” Neva says. “She used to meet with us volunteers in the morning before we would go out and work in the various apostolates. After Mass, she would talk to us for about five minutes to encourage us. Once, one of the volunteers who was there along with us asked her, 'Mother Teresa, how do we keep from getting lice? The street people we are helping are covered with it.' She said, 'If the good Lord should choose to bless you with lice, it would be so you can share in your poor neighbor's sufferings.'”

This beautiful experience helped shape the direction that they would both embrace as physicians using their talents for God's glory.

“We met when we were very young, and we both felt we had a calling to the ministry of serving God through medicine,” Neva says.

In addition to being faithful stewards of their careers as doctors, they also strive to be loyal to their mission as Catholic parents to their grown children — Michaela, Camille, Sophie, Kellen, and Isabella. Their first grandchild was born recently, as well. When their children were growing up, they cherished the opportunity to belong to our parish school family.

“All of our children went to Mt. St. Mary's School from preschool through the eighth grade,” Neva says. “We were part of the school community for 20 years. We did a lot of volunteer work for the school at the time, and I always really enjoyed it.”

What's more, Neva previously taught St. Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body to high school students.

“It was a fabulous program, and I loved teaching it,” she says. “It was open to students in our parish as well as in the local community. The program involved taking an overnight weekend retreat with them to further establish their understanding of Theology of the Body, and provide them with more in-depth time to study it. It was all so rewarding and wonderful!”

These days, Neva loves spending time with Jesus in Adoration and serving as a lector along with Byron. Both of them deeply appreciate our parish community.

“I love the sense of community at our parish, and the real love for the Catholic faith that the parishioners have,” Neva says. “There are so many faithful parishioners who love going to daily Mass and are very devoted to their faith.”

When asked what words of wisdom they would offer to someone who is considering getting involved in our parish for the first time, Neva responds with advice rooted in stewardship and fellowship.

“I would say, you are going to get back so much more than you give," she says. "You are going to find a community of wonderful people whom you love. Through whatever ways you end up helping at the parish, you will find like-minded people who enjoy doing the same thing, and they will become wonderful, encouraging friends.”

Dr. Byron Lake and Dr. Neva Monigatti-Lake feel blessed to use their talents for God's glory.