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Vigil Keepers Reverence Sacred Time

The St. Anne’s Vigil Keepers are trained volunteers who keep company with a dying resident when requested by the family. They extend spiritual care, compassion and love to the entire family. Our mission statement asks us to provide our residents with care and compassion in a respectful environment that honors individual dignity. This mission is epitomized by the Vigil Keepers, the 2009 recipients of the St. Anne’s Heart of the Home Award. They were recognized on Sunday, July 26, during the St. Anne’s feast day Mass and picnic for residents and staff.

Administrator Lynn Vogt describes this devoted group.

“Reverence, honor, kindness, compassion and love! These simple yet profound words describe the gifts offered by our Vigil Keepers to those residents soon to be welcomed into heaven. Just like the women who kept vigil at the tomb of Jesus, this is no empty marking of time, rather it is a time of prayerful presence, a time of respectful service rooted in God’s love and a sacred time of peace.

“Every member of the St. Anne’s family is touched by the Vigil Keepers’ living testament to the blessings of faith and the immense power of love! The Vigil Keepers remind us all of the truly wonderful baptismal promise of an everlasting life with Jesus!”

Coordinator Mary Jane Montaba orientates the group of volunteers. “This is a sacred space at the end of a person’s life and we try to be sensitive to the person and the family. It all starts with a phone call from Father Mike Burns, SDS, chaplain of St. Anne’s. Each of us is changed forever when we are present to a person about to meet God. Each of us considers this ministry a great privilege.” She pointed out that Sisters Charitas Elverman, SDS, and Maureen Hopkins,SDS, initiated the Vigil Keepers ministry at St. Anne’s.

The Vigil Keepers are: Sharon Benkoe, Carl Collar, Sister Denise Demulling, SDS, Betty Doucette, Mary Lou Dreis, Anna Fuchsberger, Sister Alice Gindt, SDS, Sister Marcella Gindt, SDS, Felicitas Gutierrez, Pat Haight, Janice Hartman, Rosemary Hetzel, Sister Maureen Hopkins, SDS, Sister Bernadette Kline, SDS, Denis Makiya, Connie Maloney, Jeanette McArthur, Mary Jane Montaba, Janet Mullen, Lois Peterson, Matt Ranz, Joan Ryback, Kay Sauers, Pat Schmidt, Mary Ann Schwabe, Marion Von Rueden, Barbara Weigel, Donna Weise, and Marge Wundrock.