Catholic Chronicle

Wakeman parish rededicated after renovation

Laurie Stevens Bertke — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:00:00 +0000

WAKEMAN—After the completion of an eight-month renovation process, Wakeman St. Mary was rededicated Dec. 6.

Bishop Leonard P. Blair stands with Bob Matus, who volunteered his time as general contractor for the Wakeman St. Mary renovation last year. In appreciation for this work, Mr. Matus was presented with a framed collage of aerial photos of the renovated church. (Photo courtesy of Wakeman St. Mary)

Parishioner Bob Matus volunteered his gifts and time as the general contractor of the 138-year-old church. Two of the subcontractors were also parishioners: Mike and Bill Hanko of Hanko Farm completed excavating and cement work and Fred and Todd Wolf of Wolf Construction framed the new and old buildings. Other parishioners volunteered their time daily by painting, cleaning and assisting contractors.

The renovation included reinforcement, insulation and adding seating capacity to fit up to 250 people. Other parts of the renovation included widening aisles and adding a cry room, handicapped accessible restroom, a bride/usher room, handicapped ramp, storage area and a large room to be used for the children’s liturgy of the word.

Bishop Leonard P. Blair celebrated the rededication Mass, which was followed by a dinner and program.

Norwalk grad awarded scholarship

Angela Kessler — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 05:00:00 +0000

TOLEDO—A $2,000 scholarship provided by the Catholic Diocese of Toledo Employee Benefit Fund, was awarded to Norwalk St. Paul High School graduate Katherine E. Whitehurst, June 1.

Katherine Whitehurst, a graduate of Norwalk St. Paul High School, was awarded the 18th annual F. Edward Schaefer Scholarship in June. With her are Bishop Leonard P. Blair and mother, Grace Whitehurst. (Photo courtesy of Toledo Employee Benefit Fund)

Bishop Leonard P. Blair presented the 18th annual F. Edward Schaefer Scholarship to Katherine at his office in Toledo. Bishop Blair told Katherine he had read her essays and was very impressed and thanked her for her work for the church.

Competition for this scholarship includes the entire 19-county area of the diocese. Mr. Schaefer, in whose memory the scholarship was founded, served on the retirement board for many years.

The scholarship is given to a son or daughter of a participant in the Retirement Plan for Lay Employees in the Catholic Diocese of Toledo and is awarded with emphasis on service to church and community as well as leadership.

Katherine is the daughter of Grace Whitehurst. Grace is employed by St. Paul High School in Norwalk, Ohio. Katherine plans to attend Walsh University to study education.

Bishop’s Cross award winners named at St. Paul

Angela Kessler — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 05:00:00 +0000

NORWALK—Ian Miller and Katherine Whitehurst were named Bishop’s Cross award winners at the 2009 Norwalk St. Paul High School graduation ceremony. The Bishop’s Cross award is given to one male and one female graduate at each Catholic high school in the Diocese of Toledo with a high grade point average in religion, who manifests excellence in character, service and leadership.

Katherine, who also graduated in the top 10 of her class, was a eucharistic minister, four-year altar server, Mass coordinator, and served for two years on the retreat team and the Kairos team. She participated in Teens Encounter Christ, Leadership by Example, Yes, Make a Difference Day for three years and the Key Club for four years, serving as its president her senior year. She served on the spring musical light crew and the jazz/pep band for four years, was a member of the National Honor Society for two years and was student council vice president for two years. Katherine is the daughter of Grace Whitehurst and Scott Whitehurst.

Ian Miller

Katherine Whitehurst

Ian, who graduated in the top 10 of his class, was a eucharistic minister at the school and participated in Teens Encounter Christ. He is a two-year member of the National Honor Society and served for two years as a Student Ambassador. He was a four-year member of the football team and the Key Club and also participated in wrestling, track and student council. Ian is the son of John and Kathy Miller.