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'lights of faith' in carmi, belleville, brighten our lives

The journey of faith continues as The Messenger meets more people who light the way, this week from St. Polycarp in Carmi and St. Luke Parish in Belleville.

In Carmi, Charles and Gail Nolan have been going to Mass at St. Polycarp since they were married in 1973.

Gail, a Methodist, said they decided the couple should attend one church together, and so they attended and raised their children in the Catholic church.

Not satisfied with being a churchgoer, Charles Nolan has been active as an usher and money counter along with other parishioners.

Active with parish youth for more than 30 years, he said he hopes to interest the high school youth in visiting parishioners in nursing homes.

He and Gail must have passed on their interest in other people to their daughter, Rebecca, who spent two years in the Peace Corps, working in Lesotho, Africa.

Speaking not only of his daughter but all young people he meets, Charles Nolan said: “I like kids and I like to see them do well.”

Offering service to the parish gives young people the opportunity to see what they can do for others and how they are appreciated for what they do.

Also volunteering her service at the parish for more than 20 years, Jan Blankenberger serves as the parish’s coordinator of religious education.

She always teaches the first Communion class, she said, to “share her love of the Eucharist with the children.”
As religious education coordinator, she works with the children so they can participate in liturgies during the school year.

An extraordinary minister of holy Communion, Blankenberger also participates in one of the parish’s small Christian community groups that began with the RENEW program.

Father Rudolphi said he very much appreciates not only Blankenberger and Charles Nolan but all of his parishioners at both St. Polycarp and at St. Patrick’s in Enfield where he is also the pastor, who volunteer their time and their talents to make sure these parish communities continue to prosper and spread the faith.

In Belleville, one St. Luke parishioner does not like publicity but agreed to talk about her faith after Sister Grace Marie Mueller, SSND, parish life coordinator, submitted her name to The Messenger.

“So many people at St. Luke’s do so many things,” Betty Prost said as she
selected canned goods at the Interfaith Food Pantry in Belleville.

Twelve churches contribute time, talent and resources to the food pantry that opens five days a week to help those who otherwise would not have enough to eat.

Why volunteer at the food pantry? “It’s a useful thing to do, to help,” she said.

Numbers of families at the food pantry continue to rise with about 125 families served a week.
Besides the food pantry, Prost participates in bible study, book discussion, St. Vincent de Paul activities which include the food pantry.

“For years she has sent cards to those in hospitals, nursing homes, and she doesn’t forget families who have lost loved ones by sending Mass cards to them.

Not content to work only for the poor in her parish, Prost has “had several Third World experiences,” Sister Grace said.

Prost shares her vision of faith and the church through her outreach and her continued participation in parish and community work.

“She is a woman of great faith,” Sister Grace said, “totally unassuming and humble.”

The Messenger will continue to tell the stories of those who serve as “Lights of Faith. To recommend someone, please email names to The Messenger at editor@bellevillemessenger.org or fax us information to 235-9605. Please include a description of why this person serves as a Light of Faith.