Around the Diocese: May 22, 2016

St. Joseph- Hessen Cassel students were cheering and supporting the troops and runners who passed by the school Friday, May 13, in honor and remembrance of veterans during “Run for the Fallen.” Over 50,000 participants and over 200,000 miles have been collectively run in remembrance of those heroes, organized in over 26 states. The students prayed, recited a poem and cheered them on.

Lukenbill to speak on elder law

DONALDSON — May is National Elder Law Month. The Center at Donaldson will present a discussion of elder law topics with Adam Lukenbill, attorney at law on Tuesday, May 24, at 5:30 p.m. in the Kasper Room at the Catherine Kasper Home, 9601 Union Rd., Donaldson.

Lukenbill will speak on a variety of subjects important to seniors and their families and caregivers regarding their legal rights. Topics addressed will include advance directives, power of attorney, living will, guardianship, estate planning and the Medicaid application process.

Lukenbill specializes in elder law, including estate planning, estate and trust administration, asset protection, long-term nursing home planning, and the protection of beneficiaries with special needs. He also serves on the board of directors of Ancilla College, is vice president of both the Marshall County Council on Aging and the Marshall County Bar Association and is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law. He is a partner at Lukenbill & Lukenbill, LLP in Plymouth.

For more information, call Crystal Bower, Social Services Coordinator, at 574-935-1795.

Catholic Youth Summer Camp planned 

HOWE — Students entering the fourth, fifth and sixth grade this fall may attend a Catholic Youth Summer Camp Sunday, June 26 through Friday, July 1 at Camp Lutherwald in Howe.

For details visit www.stjudeparish.net or contact [email protected] or 574-291-3381.

Morning of reflection planned for youth

FORT WAYNE — All youth (and parents) are invited to a Morning of Reflection on Saturday May 21 from 9 a.m. to noon at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish Hall sponsored by the Fort Wayne-South Bend Diocesan Committee on Scouting. Learn about Father Michael McGivney — the priest who began the Knights of Columbus and who is on his way to become a saint. Cost is $4 to cover the cost of the patch the youth can earn. Pre-register by May 18 with Theresa Dirig at [email protected] to ensure enough patches and refreshments.

Three Saint Joseph students awarded $20,000 scholarships

SOUTH BEND – Saint Joseph High School students Abigail Niezgodski, Eric Liu, and Mary Madden have been awarded $20,000 scholarships through the H&R Block Budget Challenge — a free, interactive, real-life simulation personal financial education program that rewards students for mastering real-world budgeting and personal finance decision-making.

Now in its second year, the H&R Block Budget Challenge works by replicating an adult’s financial life, requiring students to pay virtual bills, save for retirement and repay student loans, all from the safety of a classroom. Students from across the nation who participate in this virtual program are also competing for $3 million in college scholarships and classroom grants.

“There were over 18,000 students across the country that participated in the H&R Block Budget Challenge simulation, and our students at SJHS took this challenge seriously. To place in the top 22 spots and get the scholarship took a lot of careful researching, analyzing, and budgeting. Eric Liu, Mary Madden, and Abby Niezgodski used all of these skills and have proven they have what it takes to be successful in the world of personal finance.  I am so happy for them and very proud of them!,” said Business Education Chair Yvonne Rex.

Saint Mary’s College receives bequest of more than $6 Million

NOTRE DAME — Saint Mary’s College announces a gift of more than $6 million from the trust of Mary Lee Sheftic ’58. It is one of the largest bequests in the history of the College. Sheftic’s gift will endow a scholarship in her name and provide resources for the renovation and expansion of the Angela Athletic & Wellness Complex. College leaders honored Sheftic and recognized her gift at a private reception held at an earlier date.

“We are blessed by the generosity of our alumna Mary Lee Sheftic. I wish that I had known her and had the opportunity to thank her personally for such a transformational gift,” said President Carol Ann Mooney ’72. The president noted that the endowed scholarship will allow women to benefit from the education that helped form Sheftic into the empowered woman she became.

Sheftic, who passed away in Boswell, PA in May 2015 at age 78, graduated from Saint Mary’s College in 1958 with a major in commerce and a minor in speech and drama. She appeared in several productions as a student, including A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Bear, and starred in The Long Christmas Dinner. After graduation, she went on to receive a master’s degree from Penn State University. She taught school in Virginia for several years before working as the vice president of the Peoples Bank and Trust. She also served on the First Commonwealth Financial Corp. Board of Directors.

Book donation assists Catholic schools

Dear Sister Michaeleen, CSC

Thank you for honoring the memory of your late brother, Robert Frieders, with your generous donation of thousands of books for children in our Catholic schools.  With this gift, thousands of children will be inspired by his love of science and his fun loving creativity to become the next generation of scientists who care for the beautiful creation that God has given to us.

Carl Loesch, Secretary for Catholic Education

Indiana bishops gathered for this photo following Mass in the chapel of the Diocese of Evansville’s Sarto Retreat Center, in Evansville, during their Spring Provincial Meeting on May 11. They include Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of the Diocese of Fort-Wayne South Bend, left, Bishop Charles C. Thompson of the Diocese of Evansville, Bishop-Emeritus Gerald A. Gettelfinger of the Diocese of Evansville, Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin of Indianapolis, Bishop-Emeritus William L. Higi of the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana, Bishop Timothy L. Doherty of the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana and Bishop Donald J. Hying of the Diocese of Gary.

GARRETT — St. Joseph distinguished alumnus and national recording artist, Todd Allen Herendeen presented a benefit concert in a tribute to legendary rock and country greats. His performance included Johnny Cash, Chuck Berry, and Elvis Presley. The event raised over $3,500 dollars for St. Joseph’s Carpenters With Wings School Tuition Assistance Fund.