JANUARY 13, 2017 | THELEAVEN.ORG
LOCAL NEWS
L
4
Couple dedicated to service of God and country
ANSING — Retired Col. John Twohig and his wife Deborah have been named honorary chairs of the 2017 Archbishop’s Call to Share appeal. John and Debbie have dedicated their lives in service to God, their family and their country. The couple met while John was attending the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. They married in 1974 and spent the next three decades serving their country as a military family while raising their four children. The Twohigs moved to Army bases around the world, but there was always one constant in their life — their faith. “We were very active in the parishes on the bases where we were stationed,” Debbie said. “No matter where we were in the world, when we attended Mass, we knew we were home.” From an early age, both John and Debbie understood the importance of supporting the church with their time and financial resources. Their parents were faithful Catholics who quietly supported their local parish in simple, yet powerful ways. “Debbie’s father was an electrician who worked 50 or 60 hours a week,” John recalled. “After work, he would take me to the Knights of Columbus meeting to paint classrooms at the parish school. His example of service always stood out to me.” The Twohigs have shared that same spirit of generosity with their children — Wesley, Shannon, Lauren and Brigid — three of whom also have served in the U.S. armed forces. Since their children were young, Debbie and John instilled in them the value of their Catholic faith and the need to serve others. “We always reminded our children that we do not come first,” Debbie explained. “We have other priorities — our faith, our family, our nation. The Army helped reinforce these values in our family.” John and Debbie have been members of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Lansing for more than eight years. Debbie is an
John and Deborah Twohig have been named honorary chairs of the 2017 Archbishop’s Call to Share appeal. active member of the Legion of Mary, prays for and visits the sick, and teaches religious education to young people in the parish. John serves on the parish fundraising committee, is an adult altar assistant and eucharistic minister, and is a fourth-degree Knight of Columbus. “St. Francis Parish is such a strong community,” said John. “As we became more involved, we realized how many
people rely on the services and ministries provided by the archdiocese. We wanted to help however we could.” The Twohigs’ desire to serve others in their community led them to participate in the Archbishop’s Call to Share appeal. “While not all of us can work as missionaries, we can support the life and ministry of the church through
the Archbishop’s Call to Share appeal,” Debbie said. “It is an opportunity to serve others in a direct and meaningful way.” Each year, tens of thousands of people throughout the archdiocese participate in the Archbishop’s Call to Share appeal. Their generous support strengthens our Catholic schools and educational programs, outreach services, formation of clergy and seminarians, and pastoral work in parishes. Donations to the appeal help fund more than 42 different programs, apostolates and ministries, serving more than 180,000 people throughout northeast Kansas. In recognition of their years of faithful service and support, John and Debbie have been asked to serve as the honorary chairs for the 2017 appeal. The couple is grateful to be part of a strong community of faith in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. “What we have here in the archdiocese is rare,” John says. “From the faith and leadership of Archbishop Naumann to our priests who care so much about those they serve, to the dedicated, hard-working people in our parishes — this is such a vibrant Catholic community.” The Twohigs encourage everyone to participate in the Archbishop’s Call to Share appeal. “We all have been blessed in so many ways,” Debbie said. “The appeal is one opportunity to share those blessings with others. “Even if you can only give a little, you will make a big difference in the life of someone in need. And anyone can offer their prayers.”
As Sisters model aging, friendships form with USM students By Therese Horvat Special to The Leaven
L
EAVENWORTH — Extreme gratitude, deep admiration and profound hope were the sentiments most often expressed at this year’s annual rose ceremony on Dec. 15 as Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth and University of Saint Mary students shared experiences gleaned from the “Aging” psychology course. Nancy King, Ph.D., psychology program co-director, began this course 19 years ago to introduce students to the physical, cognitive and psychological dimensions of aging. She said that a few years into the course, she realized that Sisters retired and living at the SCL motherhouse next door to the Leavenworth university would be valuable assets to the program. That belief was borne out in remarks students made as they identified their regular encounters with the Sisters through the class. Among life lessons students said they had learned from the SCLs were: • Live life to its full potential. • Be thankful for everything you have.
Leaven 01-13-17.indd 4
Sister Marianna Bauder, SCL (left), received roses from students with whom she interacted through the “Aging” psychology course offered by the University of Saint Mary, Leavenworth. Visiting with Sister Marianna are Kealee Rains (center) and Domenic DeFiore. • It’s OK to change your mind. • As you age, have fun with it. • Develop a relationship with God. • Aging is not a bad thing. “I learned about aging without ever talking about it,” said one student. And
several others said while they didn’t know what to expect from their initial contacts with the Sisters, in the end, they made friendships that will last long past their college days. The students appreciated that the
Sisters cared about what the students had to say and what they were doing. “I learned a lot about life in general — about simplicity,” said one student. “I always left our meetings feeling peaceful.” The Sisters likewise enjoyed their encounters with the students. “We always had a good time,” said Sister Marie Carmel Dunning. “It was regular conversation with a deeper meaning about it.” Sister Mary Arthel Cline agreed. “We had deep and meaningful conversations about faith, family and everyday life as we walked the campus and talked,” she said. “The world is going to be a much better place because of these young people,” concluded Sister Anne Callahan. USM offers the “Aging” psychology course each fall semester for three credit hours. Throughout the semester, visits with Sisters are built into the syllabus and supplement classroom instruction. One or two students are paired with each Sister of Charity. A ceremony culminates the course with students presenting roses to their respective Sisters and expressing appreciation.
1/10/17 3:38 PM