Awards honor people who use Catholic school values to make a difference in the world
Lentz receives special ‘Seeking the Face of the Lord Award’
An archdiocesan celebration of Catholic education on Nov. 3 honored four individuals and one family whose Catholic values mark their lives. Standing, from left, are honoree James Schellinger, honoree Dr. Michael Welsh, Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein, honoree Shirley Yancey Kloepfer and honoree William Kuntz. Sitting, from left, are honored members of the family of Archie and Bettie Smith—Joseph, Sister Demetria (a member of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa), Bernadette, Carrie, Doris, Nellie and Holy Cross Brother Roy Smith. (Photo by Rob Banayote)
By John Shaughnessy
On a night of celebration, two “small” moments—one of surprise and the other of spontaneous joy—combined to show the huge impact that Catholic education has on the lives of so many people.
Both moments occurred during the Celebrating Catholic School Values: 2010 Scholarship and Career Achievement Awards Dinner on Nov. 3—the 15th annual event that has now raised nearly $4.5 million through the years to provide tuition assistance for disadvantaged students who want to attend archdiocesan schools.
The first moment occurred shortly after the celebration at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis had ended—a celebration that honored Shirley Yancey Kloepfer, William Kuntz, James Schellinger, Dr. Michael Welsh, and the family of Archie and Bettie Smith.
While the serving staff started to clear the tables, about 30 members of the Smith family grouped together so a photographer could take their photo. As more friends and family members rushed to be part of the picture, the scene was all smiles and laughs—similar to the earlier response of the 950 people in attendance at the dinner when they learned of the ultimatum that Archie Smith had once given to some of his nine children: “You will finish Catholic high school or you will die.”
The photo captured the pride and the joy of a family for two people who had sacrificed and insisted that their children would receive a Catholic education—a choice that many parents have made for their children for generations.
The second “small” moment—the surprise—occurred during the heart of the celebration when Msgr. Joseph F. Schaedel, the vicar general of the archdiocese, called Annette “Mickey” Lentz to the stage. He praised her for her nearly 50 years of dedication to Catholic education as a teacher, a principal and the executive director of the archdiocesan Office of Catholic Education—the position that she left in July to dedicate her focus to her new ministry as the archdiocese’s chancellor.
The surprise for Lentz continued when Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein presented her with the “Seeking the Face of the Lord Award,” the highest honor from the archbishop, which he has given to only a few people during his 18 years of leading the archdiocese.
The scenes surrounding the joy of the Smith family and the surprise for Lentz reinforced all the qualities that marked a special video that was debuted during the celebration.
The video, “Our Catholic Schools: A Legacy of Faith and Leadership” saluted the 175 years of Catholic education in the archdiocese, showing the commitment of parents, the leadership of bishops and archbishops, and the dedication of priests, lay teachers, and religious sisters and brothers to providing an excellent, faith-based educational experience for children and teenagers.
Then came the moment to honor the 2010 award winners—people who have used their Catholic education and their faith to make a difference in the lives of others.
William “Bill” Kuntz has not only benefited from a Catholic education, he has extended its benefits to other generations of students.
In his career, Kuntz has taught, coached and served as athletic director at Roncalli High School in Indianapolis. As members of St. Jude Parish in Indianapolis, he and his wife, Martha, have been involved in Christ Renews His Parish, the St. Vincent de Paul Society and the Catholic Youth Organization. Now a businessman, he is also a member and past president of the Archdiocesan Education Commission.
Shirley Yancey Kloepfer was honored for her efforts to create bonds of faith and friendship between people of different backgrounds.
At Prince of Peace Parish in Madison, she helps with Spanish Masses, assists Hispanic families in the Catholic schools and takes part in parish mission trips to Mexico. The former Peace Corps volunteer also started and leads La Casa Amiga Center in Madison, a center that provides Hispanic families with English classes, computer training, job assistance, and translation services for legal and medical needs.
James “Jim” Schellinger says that one of the most lasting lessons that he learned from his Catholic faith and his Catholic education is the importance of “giving back.”
As the president of CSO Architects in Indianapolis, Schellinger has created a values-based company that has been involved in such projects as Circle Centre in Indianapolis and the Indianapolis International Airport. A member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Indianapolis, Schellinger has donated architectural services to parishes and high schools in the archdiocese.
The nine children of Archie and Bettie Smith grew up knowing how important the Catholic faith and Catholic education were to their parents.
Archie supported the family by working for 41 years as a handyman and chauffeur for the Daughters of Charity at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. He was so impressed by the faith and compassion of the Catholic doctors, nurses and religious sisters that he became a Catholic. So did Bettie. And they insisted on a Catholic education for their children—Betty, Demetria, Carrie, William, Bernadette, Doris, Joseph, Roy and Nellie.
Four of the Smith children were among the first black students to integrate Holy Angels School in Indianapolis in 1949. The children have made careers in education, health care, law and government. Two entered religious life. Roy became a Holy Cross brother and Demetria professed her vows as a member of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa.
The recipient of this year’s Community Service Award, Dr. Michael “Mike” Welsh, learned from his parents and his grandmothers the importance of using your God-given gifts to help others.
Welsh uses his medical practice to pursue that goal. He does pro bono surgery on the uninsured at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis about once a week. He is also a referral physician for the Trinity Free Clinic sponsored by his parish, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Carmel, Ind., in the Lafayette Diocese.
The new executive director of the Office of Catholic Education, Harry Plummer, praised the award winners.
“Through their witness, we can catch a glimpse of just how great an impact Catholic education has on so many lives in our community,” Plummer said.
“Their witness to the Catholic school values we celebrate tonight gives us cause to thank God for the blessings we’ve received in the past—and confidence to hope in the future of Catholic school education in our community.”
Archbishop Buechlein closed the celebration with a blessing and words of gratitude for all the people who are committed to Catholic education and who make the need-based scholarships possible.
“All this effort to provide scholarships couldn’t bear fruit without the work of the many dedicated parents, teachers, administrators, pastors and volunteers who give so much of themselves every day in caring for our children and making sure that our Catholic schools are providing the best education possible.” †
