The Michigan Catholic asked parishes around the archdiocese to tell us about some of their outstanding senior volunteers — individuals who go above and beyond to serve God and neighbor. Although printing all the responses we received would take far more space than we have, here’s a few examples of some standout seniors who have blessed their parishes with their hard work and prayerful service.

Sharon Bender, a longtime member of St. Joseph Church, Port Huron (now merged as part of Holy Trinity Parish), is an “awesome” example of service to God and neighbor as a “full-time volunteer,” said Holy Trinity’s pastor, Fr. Brian Cokonaugher. Bender is involved in a host of things at the parish, including serving as a parish and vicariate council rep, on the stewardship and finance committees and various community events of all kinds.
Fr. Cokonaugher said since the 2007 merger, Bender has gone “above and beyond” to make the marriage of St. Joseph, St. Stephen and Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission work.
But what stands out the most, he said, was Bender’s willingness to go out of her way — literally — to help the parish. Fr. Cokonaugher said when Bender had to receive catechist certification from the archdiocese but didn’t have a car, she rode a bus from Port Huron to Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit every day for a week — a 128-mile round trip.

Mary Ann Ruelle, a member of St. Joseph, Wyandotte, for more than 50 years, “volunteers way more than she earns in pay” as a part-time employee, said the parish secretary, Kristine Martin. Ruelle does everything for the parish from coordinating funeral luncheons to fundraising for Catholic school education to answering phones and greeting people at Mass. Martin said the funeral luncheon is “one of the nicest offerings our parish offers for our members, and it’s no surprise that Mary Ann has a hand in how well it is run.”
Ruelle also “keeps everyone laughing” during jubilarian celebrations at the parish for longtime married couples — after all, she’s been married to her husband, David, for 53 years. President of the Christian Ladies at the parish for 15 years, Ruelle oversees bake sales and parish dinners to offset the cost of altar linens and supplies and has volunteered at the parish’s soup kitchen since its inception in 1991.
As Martin recalled Ruelle saying, “The parish dinners don’t really make money. It’s just a way to bring the community together.”
Evidently she’s doing just that. “You don’t come across people like that every day,” Martin said.

Sylvia Dietlin, a member of St. Mary, St. Clair, for 60 years, has been involved in various roles at the parish for decades. Her late husband, Marvin, helped establish the St. Vincent de Paul Society Conference at the parish in 1961, which she also helped with. In addition, Dietlin was involved with the Rosary Altar Society, the Daughters of Isabella, various 4-H clubs and served as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion. She’s also helped organize American Red Cross blood drives at St. Mary for more than 20 years.

Clara Sawyer, a parishioner at Our Lady of La Salette, Berkley, is “a great role model for other seniors,” said Deacon Daniel Darga. Deacon Darga recounted a host of things for which Sawyer has volunteered her time over the years, including with St. Vincent de Paul, as president of the Ladies Guild, on the CSA leadership and Changing Lives Together capital campaign committees, a member of the parish council, with the South Oakland Shelter preparing breakfasts and dinners, chairing a chili dinner fundraiser to pay for boiler repairs at the parish and with the auction committee.
Sawyer also volunteers in the parish office, crafts homemade baby blankets, afghans and prayer shawls, and oversees the parish center kitchen.

Marge Starr is “intricately involved” in many ministries at St. Anastasia Parish, Troy, said Christian Service coordinator Kim Houseman. In addition to being involved with St. Vincent de Paul, Starr also volunteers as part of the parish’s homebound ministry, outreach and Bible studies. She is “one of the kindest hearts I know,” Houseman said. “She is a blessing to our parish.”

Lou Brohl, 68, has been an active parishioner at Our Lady of Good Counsel, Plymouth, for more than 40 years, said the parish secretary, Kathy Keith. For 39 of those years, Brohl has been the coordinator and director of a guitar group that plays during the Saturday evening Masses at the parish — all without compensation. Brohl also has been an active member of the parish’s RCIA program for more than 25 years and brings “a wealth of good humor and gentleness to all that he does and is a very beloved member of our parish family,” said Keith. “He is an inspiration to all of us and he serves with great humility.”

Caroline Martin is the volunteer coordinator of the parish food pantry at St. Cyprian, Riverview. According to Christian Service Director Judy Petterle, Martin “is at the church almost every day” helping stock shelves and buying necessities for those in need. “Caroline knows each and every pantry client by name,” Petterle said. “She greets them as if they were family. She knows their stories. She always has a kind word of encouragement for them.”

Bob Zag, also a parishioner at St. Cyprian, “goes above and beyond” for the parish, Petterle said. Zag shows up every morning to vacuum the building, put out traffic cones, scrape wax off the floor, help with the food pantry and many other tasks, she said. Zag also leads Bible studies at the parish and is both a lector and usher. “Bob is funny, compassionate, generous, and an all-around great guy,” Petterle said.

Frank and Barb Litchfield have been members of Holy Innocents Parish, Roseville, since 1964. The couple joined the Society of St. Vincent de Paul at the parish (now Holy Innocents – St. Barnabas) in 2003 and have been active ever since with various ministries, including the food pantry. Frank works bingo at the parish once a month and is active with the Knights of Columbus. Barb is the secretary for the St. Vincent de Paul conference and has been a member of the Christian Mothers for 20 years. She also has been a catechism aide and volunteers with First Communions and Confirmations.

Paul Loiselle is an “excellent builder and woodworker with an artist’s eye,” said Mary Strong, parish secretary at Church of the Transfiguration in Southfield. Loiselle has volunteered to build or repair various items for the parish, as well as volunteering with various other ministries in the church. He is involved with the Franciscan Outreach Program and is an usher at Sunday Mass. “Paul’s the kind of volunteer that everyone wants to work with — he sees what needs doing and quietly does it,” Strong said.