“There is nothing
stronger than the
heart of a volunteer.”

This is a quote from the movie, Pearl Harbor. It’s a true statement and evident every week in our parish here at Our Lady of the Assumption. Because of the volunteers in our parish, it is thriving.
   A special thank you to Art & Connie Ondrejka who work tirelessly in the Sacristy to make sure that Fr. Vicente has everything he needs to celebrate Mass on Sundays and Tuesdays. They are also the ones who stay late after everyone has left and make sure that the church is secure.
   Thank you also to Laura Piquette and Glenda Lesser-Wyles who back them up when ever they can. Also, thank you to Jean Brook who lends a hand with washing the altar linens weekly. Your service is very much appreciated.
  Thank you to our Altar Servers Brian O’Connor, Michael Franta, Sam Dunlap, Jess Franta, Shantell Lemons, Halie Lemons, and Grace Flynn who are always available when scheduled to serve at Mass.
   Thank you to our Lectors Karen Gourley, Gene Bidon, Joe D’Angelo, Richard Hrpcha, Joan Kohler, Richard Kohler, Doug Bayer, Pat O’Connor, Phyllis Dearborn, Patti Schultz, Jacquie Stewart, Roger Squire, Bill Tschumper, Dianne Whalen, Kenneth Goertz, Art Ondrejka, Connie Ondrejka, Paul Schleser, Mary-Lou Giacomelli, Sandy Dunlap, Veronica Garcia and Dorothy Guilmette who give their time and talent to proclaim the readings at Mass on Sundays.
   Thank you to our Head Usher Terry Napolitan who is available every Sunday of the year to coordinate the work of all the Ushers and help everything run smoothly. Thank you to all the Ushers Gene Bidon, Donna Picou, Paul Picou, Steve Schultz, Gil Costello, Skip Northcross, Jerry Tracewell, Wayne Guilmette, Tom Brook, John Milder, Adrian Tompkins & Carol Franta who welcome everyone to Mass and perform many other duties during Mass.
   Thank you to the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Kenneth Goertz, Gene Bidon, Richard Hrpcha, Terry Napolitan, Barbara Napolitan, Phyllis Dearborn, Joe Franta, Karen Gourley, Patti Schultz, Roger Squire, Bill Tschumper, Michael Whalen, Dianne Whalen, Richard Kohler, Joan Kohler, Art Ondrejka, Connie Ondrejka, Glenda Lesser-Wyles, & Mary Lou Giacomelli who make themselves available to help Fr. Vicente and Deacon Mike serve Communion every Sunday.
   Thank you to those who serve the homebound by bringing Communion to their homes every week. Barbara and Terry Napolitan, Gary Kirsch, Veronica Garcia, Karen Gourley and Deacon Mike. Thank you also to Terry & Barbara who pick up our two Catholic residents of VALI Assisted Living and bring them to Church every Sunday.
   Thank you to our Choir, Brenda Wilson, Carmel Mortenson, Paul Piquette, Braden Wilson, Eric Mortenson, Patrick Mortenson, Henry Watson, Joe D’Angelo, Christina Wilson, Carly Dunlap, Michelle Tompkins and Tori Mortenson who faithfully arrive an hour early to warm up and who enhance our Liturgy with their music every Sunday.
   Mary Jo and Bob Revitte work every week on the Bulletin from home, send it to the office and then come in to print it and staple it. Thanks Mary Jo and Bob.
   Catholic Charities of Custer County is just getting off the ground and they have been able to provide firewood and heating help to many families this winter. Thank you to Jackie Kirsch, Sandy Dunlap, Maria Barnes, Dorothy Guilmette, Mary Lou Koch, Bill Uhl & Deacon Mike for your service to the poor and needy in our community.

   Thank you to our Environment Committee headed by Dianne Whalen. These people are responsible for the beautiful decorating this Christmas season Debbie Senderhauf, AnnaMaria O’Connor, Gary & Marilyn Eastwood, Kevin & Brian O’Connor and Nathan Shreve.
Dianne makes sure that there are fresh flowers for the sanctuary throughout the year and in the summer; she works hard at maintaining the beautiful landscaping at the front of the church.
   Thank you also to Rick and Yvonne Squire who provide the beautiful Christmas trees every year at no cost to the church.
   Thank you to Anne Luman who has recently become the coordinator of Hospitality in the narthex after Mass. Anne makes sure that there is someone signed up to provide baked goods for our reception after Mass.
    Thank you also to all of those who volunteer throughout the year to set-up and clean-up and provide cookies and coffee.
   Thank you to Joan Kohler who is our Religious Education Coordinator. Joan works with our high school children to prepare them for Confirmation as well as making sure that our Faith Formation program is always running smoothly. Thank you to this year’s Faith Formation Teachers: Rita Piquette, Karen Gourley, Phyllis Dearborn & Ginger Koudsi. These ladies are shaping the future Catholic adults in our parish.
   Our Counters, Bill Tschumper, Bill Uhl, Mary Lou Giacomelli, Richard Hrpcha and Richard Kohler make themselves available every Monday to count the Offertory and make sure that the deposit is made.
Nancy Tracewell is the brains behind all of the Accounting and Bookkeeping. She is available by phone every day and she also makes sure that all of our bills are paid on time and that financial reports are readily available. Her service to our church is invaluable. Thank you Nancy.
   Ed Stewart is our Webmaster and Church Photographer. He records current events in the parish and keeps our website impressive. We do have a wonderful website and it is all due to Ed. He keeps an online Bulletin current every week and a Liturgical schedule available on the website. He also restores and records a lot of the history of our parish online. Thank you Ed.
   Thank you to the ladies of the Altar & Rosary Society who provide scholarships for our High School Seniors, feed the bereaved after funerals here in our parish, provide gifts for the people at VALI assisted living for Christmas, and provide Christmas presents for needy children in our community. Thank you to Mary Lou Koch who has been the president of the Altar & Rosary Society for many years and has kept all of their projects running smoothly.
   Thank you to our Parish Council, Terry Napolitan, Joe Franta, Nancy Tracewell, Dianne Whalen, Mary Lou Koch and Joan Kohler who provide support for Fr. Vicente in all decisions made for our parish.
   Thank you to the Finance Council, Bill Tschumper, Nancy Tracewell, and Richard Hrpcha who help Fr. Vicente to make financial decisions for our parish.
   Thank you to the Worship Committee, Carmel Mortenson, Art & Connie Ondrejka, Dianne Whalen and Joan Kohler who meet with Fr. Vicente to discuss upcoming Liturgies and assist him in making sure that everything in the Mass is as it should be.
   Thank you to those who work in the background to make sure that our parish office is running smoothly. Thank you to Sandy Dunlap who is a continuous source of help for whatever might be needed in the office. Thanks also to Ileen Lemons, Sandy Dunlap and Mary Jo Revitte who helped to coordinate the photography sessions for our new Directory.

   There are many of you who do not belong to a particular group but continually jump in and help wherever you are needed most. Thank you so much to all of our volunteers!