St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities names Karen Schueler and Phil Kruer as Spirit of Hope winners

By Natalie Hoefer

Each spring, St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities (SECC) of New Albany hosts the Giving Hope-Changing Lives gala, the organization’s largest fundraising event.

Registration for this year’s gala, which will be held on the evening of April 10 at The Galt House in Louisville, Ky., ends on March 21. Through talks and testimonials, the event celebrates the organization’s achievements in helping serve mothers and children in need.

It also includes a live auction. This year’s items range in value from $2,400-$8,500, including a one-week stay at a cottage in Florida, an autographed Jimmy Buffett Guitar, a signed Michael Jordan Sneaker, an autographed Taylor Swift photo set, a house concert with American Idol sensation Lauren Mascitti, a seven-night Caribbean cruise for two, and a 14K white gold diamond bracelet. (An online, pre-gala auction will open for bidding on March 26. Click here more information.)

The gala also provides an opportunity to present the organization’s highest honor: the Spirit of Hope Award. This year’s recipients are Karen Schueler and Phil Kreuer.

During their time serving on the SECC Advisory Council, the organization “experienced tremendous growth,” says agency director Mark Casper. “This includes new programs providing care to those in need, the agency becoming an accredited social service agency, and growth of the St. Elizabeth campus to house more women and children.

“Both Karen and Phil are well-deserving recipients who exemplify the Spirit of Hope.”

Below, Schueler and Kruer reflect on the time serving on the Advisory Council and share their thoughts on the good works of St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities.

‘Just people doing God’s work’

After Schueler retired as principal of Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in New Albany in 2005, she began working as director of learning support at Our Lady of Providence High School in Clarksville.

But she still wanted to give more.

“I knew when I left that demanding leadership role that I wanted to share my gifts somewhere in the community,” says the member of Holy Family Parish in New Albany.

“I felt called to come to St. Elizabeth because I believe in their mission and what they do. I was drawn by their [respect for the] dignity of life, taking care of women and children who are very vulnerable in our community. It seemed like a good fit for me.”

Schueler served on the Advisory Council from 2006-2022, including 13 years on the council’s Executive Committee, four years as council chair and time working with the council’s Development Fundraising Committee.

“Karen was a valuable part of making sure St. Elizabeth was able to manage its growth while continuing to provide high quality services to those in need,” says Casper. “Moving at the right time and at the right pace was a critical part of this growth. At all council meetings and any planning sessions, Karen made sure we were always focused on our mission.”

“I was more of a visionary person,” says Schueler. “It was important for me that we had a good strategic plan with 2- and 3-year goal setting. We worked really hard at that.

“I was also very involved in accreditation process for the agency.

It took a lot of work, but I’m proud of the benefits, of someone outside of St. Elizabeth confirming that we are who we say we are.”

Schueler appreciates how the agency “meets the changing needs of the community—like looking at domestic violence, homelessness and other areas in need—rather than becoming pigeon-holed. I’ve always respected Mark for leading that way,” she says.

And she appreciates how the agency’s programs “are not a quick fix for women. We want to empower these women, give them skills so they can take care of their children and themselves outside of St. Elizabeth. The education part, the case management part, the job opportunities, women having to care for their children in the shelter, having to cook for themselves in shelter—we take women in and help them be empowered.”

Schueler continued in her role at Providence while serving on the Advisory Council, finally shifting to part time at the school this year. She uses her nearly 40 years working in local Catholic schools to get students involved in SECC.

“They get so much out of it,” she says. “This kind of work doesn’t need to be hard. It just needs to be from the heart.

“We’re an extension of Christ’s hands, feet and heart,” she says of all who volunteer for, serve with or donate to St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities. “We’re just people doing God’s work, doing what he would do.”

From two houses to a whole block and more

Kruer and Schueler have known each other since middle school. So, when Schueler invited him to come to the Giving Hope-Changing Lives gala in 2006, Kruer agreed. And when she invited him to join the Advisory Council in 2007, he agreed to that as well.

“I was drawn by [the agency’s] huge respect for life,” says the member of St. John the Baptist Parish in Starlight. “I’ve always believed in respect for life from beginning to end. If we want to end abortion, we need to provide an alternative. That’s what initially attracted me to St. Elizabeth. Since then, I’ve grown to love all of our programs.”

Kruer served on the Advisory Council from 2007-2023, including 15 years on the Executive Committee, three years as council chair and 10 years heading the council’s Facility Committee.

Because of that particular role, Kruer notes he has “really been a part of the physical growth of the campus. When I started, there were two [maternity] houses on each end of one block. Now we own the whole block, plus the old Holy Trinity [Parish] rectory across from it.”

The homes on that block now provide space for SECC’s growth in programs during Kruer’s tenure: domestic violence transitional and rapid rehousing, women and children’s emergency shelter and affordable supported housing program.

His experience and knowledge as a mechanical engineer specializing in energy conservation and clean technology were an asset in the renovation of the homes and of the former Holy Trinity rectory as SECC’s new headquarters.

Kruer admits the rectory renovation holds a special place in his heart.

“I love architecture and old buildings,” he says. “There was a lot of sweat equity in the renovation. … It’s a tribute to our faith because it was a rectory.”

But he is proud of the agency’s program expansion, too—although he did not foresee that growth when he joined the council.

“Looking back, I don’t think we ever set out necessarily to grow St. Elizabeth’s programs,” says Kruer. “It really was about Mark finding needs and fulfilling those, and growth came out of that. We didn’t say, ‘We need to get bigger.’ It was about what do we need to do and how do we need to serve.”

Casper, in turn, calls Kruer “invaluable in his leadership role.

“He could always be counted on to ask the questions to make sure the agency was on not just the right path but the best path. Phil was and is always someone I could walk through risks and opportunities for good and faith-filled advice.”

Casper also calls Kruer “a servant leader. He would do whatever needed to be done without ever being asked, and was always the last to depart only after the floors were mopped—nothing was beneath him.”

‘The Spirit of Hope is the community’

Schueler and Kruer shared a particular passion while serving on the Advisory Council: representing a generation of leaders and nurturing a new generation of leaders.

“Karen and I, being the same age, saw a whole generation of mentors before us,” says Kruer. “When we were on the council, our challenge to each other was, ‘Are we going to be the next generation?’ ”

Schueler agrees.

“We saw the generation before us do such great work, and we did our part,” she says. “Now the next generation needs to keep this good work growing. Our mission is to mentor the next generation that will take our spot. I think we’re doing that, recruiting younger people to the council and mentoring them.”

While the two no longer serve on the Advisory Council, their support of St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities continues.

“Paul and I are just big advocates for St. Elizabeth in our community and parishes,” says Schueler. “More important than anything else, we pray for St. Elizabeth. St. Elizabeth needs prayer warriors, so that’s what we are.”

As for the Spirit of Hope Award, both Schueler and Kruer say they are “humbled and honored.”

“But thousands of people have served and donated in support of the agency,” Kruer adds. “For us to receive this award—it wouldn’t have happened without all that everyone has done.”

Schueler agrees.

“The Spirit of Hope is the community that serves St. Elizabeth. And there truly is a spirit about St. Elizabeth, how people come together and want to share their gifts. Whether it’s time, talent or treasure, it’s what they give and the spirit they give it in.”
 

(The Giving Hope-Changing Lives gala will take place at The Galt House, 140 N. Fourth St., in Louisville, Ky., on April 10. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner, presentations and the live auction at 7 p.m. Registration to attend is required by March 21. To register, call 812-949-7305 or email info@stecharities.org. An online, pre-gala auction will open for bidding on March 26 at bidpal.net/stegala2025.) †