Giving back

Passing along the ‘goodness’ in life

There are countless volunteers throughout the Diocese of Toledo who generously give their time and talent to their parishes and communities. Meet Dick and Ardis Dardenne, a couple who spend time each week, like so many others, giving back.

BY ANNIE LUST

Dick and Adris Dardenne are members of St. Joseph Parish in Maumee. They have been married 34 years. Before retiring, Dick owned and operated the local funeral home like his father and uncle before him. Ardis was a director of a healthcare facility. They volunteer close to home – for their parish, for the Maumee Senior Center, for Helping Hands St. Louis in nearby Toledo, and for LaPosada Family Shelter in Toledo. They’ve also volunteered far from home on two mission trips to Guatemala.

Dick and Ardis firmly believe that they have been blessed and that compels them to help others. Even with 13 grandchildren and 2 greatgrandchildren, Dick and Ardis volunteer every week. Dick and Ardis insist that everything they do actually takes a team of people, not just themselves. Still, their pastor at St. Joseph Church in Maumee, Father Keith Stripe, and the Catholic Charities team agree that Dick and Ardis are noteworthy for their giving back.

When pressed to answer which work is closest to their hearts, they paused before answering. After all, they have a passion for each cause that they volunteer for. However, one cause is a common thread that runs throughout their own lives and their volunteer work: the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) Team. After a trip to Rome with Ardis (who was raised Catholic), Dick went through RCIA and joined the Church in 2006. The very next year they joined the RCIA team. Before they could even explain this in their interview, it was evident. Dick and Ardis spotted a former catechumen and excused themselves, briefly halting the interview, to give him a hug and ask about his family. “They (the catechumens) become like family,” Ardis explained. RCIA is unique. Ardis explained that it’s particularly gratifying when catechumens get involved in the parish and, in turn, volunteer. “It’s a wonderful feeling,” she said. In fact, they recently helped with a volunteer project for Catholic Charities’ Helping Hands of St. Louis that would never have happened if not for a recent catechumen. One recent convert owned a tile business. “He loved RCIA so much, and he wanted to give back,” Ardis said. His offer to put in a new floor for the kitchen at Helping Hands of St. Louis evolved into an entire kitchen renovation with many volunteers and donors. And it all began with one man who was moved to give back because of RCIA. Dick and Ardis are determined to continue volunteering, even as they age. “As long as we’re able, we’ll keep paying it forward.”