In their own words

Eight stories of the difference the Appeal makes

Ben Little

SEMINARIES. After working in politics and government, Ben Little, 25, entered the St. Paul Seminary in 2007. A parishioner at St. John the Evangelist in Little Canada, Little is in his second year of theology.

The seminary provides a comprehensive priestly formation in four main areas: We are formed intellectually, spiritually, humanly and pastorally. We are blessed with a rigorous study of theology, sound spiritual direction, strong fraternity and rule of life, and the opportunity to apply our learning even while in the seminary through our participation in the Teaching Parish Program. We know that our formation needs and receives a great deal of support from the archdiocese, and for this we seminarians are especially grateful.

[Seminary] has helped immensely in my understanding of what the priesthood is. The seminary has been instrumental in my coming to know God’s will for my life, and it has enabled me to respond to his call. On a very practical level, the seminary formation furnishes me with the theological and spiritual training I will need in order to be a good priest. . . .

Simply put, the seminary has helped me to grow closer to Jesus. It is important for us as future shepherds to know and imitate the Good Shepherd, himself.

Mary Stoick

MARRIAGE PREPARATION. When Mary Stoick, 29, was engaged, friends and family recommended she and her fiancé attend the Living in God’s Love Marriage Preparation Program, which is sponsored by the archdiocesan Office for Marriage, Family and Life. They did, and it strengthened their relationship. The couple married in April and attends Nativity of Our Lord in St. Paul.

The retreat gave us a chunk of time to spend together as an engaged couple preparing for our marriage (and not just being concerned about planning a wedding). We were able to discuss some important topics like finances, familial roles and communication on an in-depth level that we hadn’t yet. It helped strengthen our communication and ensured that we were on the same page about things — or, if we weren’t, it showed us what we needed to focus on and spend some time strengthening and praying about.

It set us up well for all the ups, downs, joys and sorrows of marriage. Even though our marriage is still very young and we both make lots of mistakes, we’re confident in God’s love for us and his desire to complete his good work through our family. We know that we have the continued support and prayers of our wider Catholic community, and participating in the marriage preparation retreat was just one of numerous ways we were reminded of that.

Jerry Zondlo

MINISTRY TO THE DEAF. Jerry Zondlo, 64, and his wife, Jean, who are deaf, encountered the archdiocesan Ministry to the Deaf when their first daughter was born. The pastoral worker for the deaf at the time, Sister Mary Kraemer, visited the couple in the hospital and invited them to attend Mass in sign language. Today, they are parishioners at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Minneapolis, which serves the deaf community.

The deaf ministry supports me in many ways. The priest, the deacon and the pastoral worker use sign language so I can understand clearly what is done and said. So we are able to participate in the Mass, its sacraments, the choir, reconciliation, being educated through religious education, retreats and Cursillo. I now serve as a reader and eucharistic minister. . . .

[Hearing] churches lack the tools needed in deaf communication. I can socialize with people and meet new friends who specialize in my language. We have organizations like the International Catholic Deaf Association, [of] which I have been regional president for eight years and still lead the Twin Cities Deaf Cursillo [program] . . . .

There is almost everything there in the deaf ministry I need to build up my faith and to spread it within my family.

Juan Cuzco-Tenezaca

LATINO MINISTRY. Ten years ago, Juan Cuzco Tenezaca, 30, emigrated to the United States from Ecuador. He wanted to learn more about his Catholic faith, and he attended the Hispanic Leadership Development Initiative, which is sponsored by the archdiocesan Office for Latino Ministry. He is the director of faith formation for Holy Rosary in Minneapolis.

I’ve been involved in catechist training and Latino leadership training for new leadership for the Latino church. This year, I’ll be learning with Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults network meetings. I’m [also] . . . helping with the archdiocesan planning process.

I notice now [how] I can be a bridge-person with more resources to offer the community, and be a person the people can trust. The power of God [is] growing in my spirituality for supporting my community.

These different experiences make me grow in my faith and look to my community every time more challenges [arise] and never lose hope. I notice in every person the love, care, service and kindness of Jesus in many ways.

Dan Dullinger

HOSPITAL CHAPLAINCY. Sept. 14, 2004, Dan Dullinger’s 16-year-old daughter, Kristy, was in a terrible car accident. She died seven days later. Father Jim Livingston, a chaplain at North Memorial Hospital, ministered to Dullinger’s family immediately after the accident and through their suffering and grief. Dullinger, 47, and his family attend St. Henry in Monticello.

Before we even got to the hospital Father Jim Livingston, a chaplain at North Memorial, already had given Kristy the sacrament of the anointing of the sick. This would later give me great peace. While Kristy was in surgery, Father Jim invited us to prayer and the Holy Spirit came upon us. I will never forget being amazed at the peace [that] I, and others that he prayed with, felt even in this traumatic situation. Father Jim prayed with us, consoled us, and guided us in very tough decisions the rest of the week. Unfortunately, Kristy passed away on Sept. 21, 2004, but Father Jim was with us then, too. I praise God that he was there. I grieve to think what it would have been like without him.

Having a holy priest like Father Jim guiding us that week brought a peace to us that we didn’t know could come. We went through this with guidance, God’s grace, and knowledge that difficult decisions were made in accordance with the church’s teaching. This still gives my wife, Teri, and me a sense of peace to this day. My experiences with our chaplain, Father Jim, have permanently changed the way I approach my faith.

Ndubisi Onah

CATHOLIC EDUCATION. Ndubisi Onah, 16, attends DeLaSalle High School in Minneapolis, where he receives tuition assistance. He is impressed with his school’s academic rigor and diverse community. He and his family attend St. Lawrence-Newman in Minneapolis.

Tuition assistance at DeLaSalle is and has been a crucial part of my attendance at DeLaSalle. Without such generous financial aid from DeLaSalle, I would not be able to attend DeLaSalle due to my parents’ difficult financial situation. My parents and I are very thankful for the opportunity given to me because of DeLaSalle’s financial assistance. . . .

DeLaSalle has made a big difference in my life. It has instilled in me a confidence that shows me that after I’m done with DeLaSalle, I can accomplish any feat, academically speaking, at any higher education institution. DeLaSalle has prepared me for success in the real world. DeLaSalle has helped me feel confident that the next stage, college, will be a relatively easy transition.

Not only has DeLaSalle helped me feel it, it has shown me that I have the potential by exposing my academic abilities to such prominent schools as Columbia University in New York. Also, DeLaSalle has made it clear that I have family not only at home, but also at school. In nearly every sport that I have played at DeLaSalle, the main theme is that we are one unit, a family to which everyone contributes. That theme, I believe, applies to all facets of the DeLaSalle community. That theme, I believe, is infectious.

Msgr. Stanley Srnec

RETIRED PRIESTS. When Msgr. Stanley Srnec, 91, retired from active parish ministry in 1996, he moved to the Byrne Residence in St. Paul. The residence is home to as many as 29 retired priests, some of whom still assist at parishes.

It’s a remarkable place. We have three meals a day here, we have a garage, we have a chapel, two concelebrated Masses every day. And, we have service in our rooms — laundry and things like that. It’s really a very nice, comfortable place. And, of course, we have privacy.

I have priest companionship. And, I think that is important, especially having lived for 26 years with two associates all the time. It’s a good relationship. I have never heard a quarrel here. I have never seen any hard feelings. We get along very well together, like brother priests should. I think we’re very lucky in this archdiocese to have an excellent place like this to go to.

Ch-Kita Teagues

CATHOLIC CHARITIES. Ch-Kita Teagues, 30, was facing eviction from her St. Paul apartment in August 2009 when she was connected to the Catholic Charities Homeless Prevention Program. She is the mother of two.

[Catholic Charities] helped me pay my rent that eliminated my eviction. I signed up with the Homeless Prevention Program. The difference that it made in my life was that I can remain in housing and continue raising my kids in a stable housing living situation.

Catholic Charities really went out of their way to help me. It took them less than a week to get everything done. I was facing a seven-day eviction. They helped me a lot.

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