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'lights of faith' brighten our lives

Story and photos by LIZ QUIRIN
Messenger editor

The Messenger decided some weeks ago that we needed to find hope, to look to the people in this diocese to lift our hearts, to light the way for all of us at a time when pessimism and a certain malaise continues to trouble us.

During this year, 2010, with help from the people of our diocese, The Messenger will publish short stories about those who live as “Lights of Faith” for those around them: in parishes, in homes and communities.

To begin this occasional series, we spoke with Virginia Spier of Immaculate Conception Parish in Columbia, and John and Marlene Fridley of St. George Parish in New Baden.

Names were sent to us from a teacher at Columbia’s Catholic school, and St. George pastor, Father Gene Neff.
For more than 20 years Spier cooked for students at Immaculate Conception School (ICS).

“What we liked to cook and what the children would eat were two different things,” she said.

During her time as a cook, she often helped first-grade teacher Marilyn Lynn when Lynn wanted to use cooking as a part of her lesson.

“Any cooking project first grade had, she was always ready to help us prepare the project,” Lynn said. “Never does she say ‘this isn’t my job’ or ‘how long will this take,’ but just ‘yes, I will help you.’ “
That seemed to be Spier’s MO — never to say no.

About 20 years ago she and a friend began and continue a December craft fair at the parish to support the school.
Spier serves as sacristan for the 7 a.m. liturgy and remains a constant companion to the sick of her neighborhood, taking them to appointments, visiting them in the hospital, whatever they need. “We’re supposed to be the hands and feet of the Lord,” Spier said.

According to Lynn: Spier, now retired, “recycles religiously, makes jelly and jams for the craft fair, cleans the church, prepares the church for Masses, visits the sick, trains workers for chicken dinners” and more. “It isn’t about what she does, but the way she does it. She enjoys helping. She is an inspiration to many people that know her.”
Spier said she will continue to do whatever she can, as long as she can.

“The Lord keeps sending me projects,” she said. “There always seems to be something on the doorstep.”

In New Baden the Fridleys — John and Marlene — have been helping out at St. George in a number of different ways for many years.

They came to New Baden as a military family and eventually retired there. Although John was not a Catholic at first, he attended Mass with Marlene.

When they married 45 years ago, John said, they decided they would attend one church, the Catholic church.
Often, parishioners didn’t know John wasn’t Catholic, and eventually they met then pastoral associate, Dale Maxfield, who invited John to join the church.

John said he was on every church committee that he was invited to join.

“My dad taught me to leave a place better than when I got there,” John said.

The couple has no plans on leaving St. George. In fact, John is now a candidate in the permanent diaconate program for the diocese.

He and Marlene “do everything together,” John said.

The couple recently visited now transitional deacon, the Rev. Mr. Maxfield, he described the couple as “very faith-filled people. Their faith weaves in and out of their lives; it’s an everyday part of life.”
Together they are extraordinary ministers of holy Communion and lectors.

John coordinates the parish religious education program and has enlisted the help of high school students with the parish’s religious education program as well.

“We’re here to serve,” John said. “This lets us give back to the community.”

The couple’s pastor, Father Neff, said John is always ready to help when called upon, whether taking communion to the homebound, serving on a variety of parish commissions, or coordinating the parish’s commemoration of the Year of the Priest.

“And his wife, Marlene, is a companion with him on that journey. What a team!”

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.