On February 10th, as volunteers of St. Mary’s Parish Family gathered for our Annual Volunteer Appreciation Supper, voices were abuzz as to who would be the inaugural recipient of the Msgr. Feehan Faithful Servant Award. As the night came to a close, Msgr. Gene presented this award to a most deserving receiver: Emma Haag.
     Emma has always represented St. Mary’s in her role as sacristan with the utmost friendliness and welcoming hospitality as she related to other liturgical ministers, priests, deacons, visiting priests and the many people who pass through the sacristy before and after the many Masses celebrated at St. Mary’s.  There were very few Masses Emma was not serving at during her 22 years as sacristan.
    Emma not only served as sacristan, she always participates in the Eucharist, attends parish retreats and missions, and lives a deep and dedicated person prayer life in her home.
Emma is participating in Small Church Communities, Bible Studies, adult classes and inter-generational Festivals of Faith over the years demonstrating her hunger for knowledge and heart-felt formation in her Catholic faith.
     In addition to her model of service, Emma has been a faithful member of St. Jude’s Mission Group, serving hundreds of funeral luncheons, preparing hundreds of Baptismal garments for our children, and processing hundreds of mailings that enabled us to keep parishioners informed and formed in parish life.  She has also served as a Nursing Home Visitor at St. Vincent’s Care Center for many years; visiting St. Mary’s and bringing the parish bulletin to them regularly.
    Thank you, Emma, for your years of dedication and service to St. Mary’s Parish Family! What a great model of living the life of stewardship!