Jubilarians

Past Jubilarian Honorees

PAT HIGGINS

For 40+ years Pat Higgins has been devoted to the ministry of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. She is not only an active member in Superior, but in Arizona where she and her husband live part of the year. Pat has served in about every capacity as an active member, including six years as conference president. Pat is a compassionate person who strongly believes we are called to be good to each other and help those in need. In those 40+ years, Pat has touched the lives of so many people in many ways. Those people include those we serve and her fellow Vincentians. Pat has been and continues to be a wise elder in our conference. She understands well the friendship, the sharing of faith, and goodness that comes with being a Vincentian. She is remarkable and we are honored to have her as a member and friend.

PAT SENN

Pat Senn is Vincentian through and through. Her care and concern for others, particularly those in need, is pure and genuine. In her 23 years as an active member of the Society, she has been committed to the home visit to meet people, listen to them, care for them, and pray with them. Her way of engaging with those we serve is a model of compassion, understanding well that we meet people in times of their lives when they are in pain, scared, weary, and often doubtful. She speaks to everyone from the heart, whether she offers gentle assurance, or a firm look at circumstances. She never fails to ask about a person or family about their spiritual well-being. One does not get to be eighty-four without having experienced tragedy, disappointment, and struggle in their life. Pat is grounded by her faith, and she exudes hope, strength, and even joy that are important to the friendship we share with each other and all who we meet as Vincentians. She too is a remarkable person of faith, and we are honored to her as a member and friend. 

LENORE DEPYPER

Lenore Depyper is a person of faith and has spent her life serving those in great need. In her life she has done street ministry in Chicago. She worked hospice care. She and her husband often took people in and mentored them. She has served God in many places and in many ways with a deep respect for the sanctity of life. She is a prayer warrior. “Wherever God sent me, I tried to be his feet and hands.”  As Vincentian for many years, Lenore engaged in visits with those in need. She believes those in need should be met with kindness and treated with dignity.  She believes it important to pray for people as well as provide material things.  Lenore valued the friendship with other Vincentians and how those friendships help us grow in our faith.

PAT SCHMOLKE

Pat Schmolke joined the Sacred Heart of Jesus Conference at the age of 87, continuing to live out her faith and serving others. Pat oversees the food shelf, keeping it stocked and organized. She assists people and families to get the food they need. She meets everyone with kindness and care. Pat cherishes the friendships that come with serving those in need and the growth in her own faith. Pat deeply appreciates serving others, noting she learns much in serving others. “Listening to their stories, you cannot help but learn.”

JO BLATT

Jo Blatt became a member of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Conference shortly after it began 20 years ago. In her 17 years of membership, Jo has continued to share her faith and devotion to the Church in serving those in need. Jo lives the pillars of the Society – spiritual growth, friendship, and service. Going on visits with other Vincentians is important to Jo as that is where the deep friendships form.  Those friendships are lifelong and are part of her faith.  Jo believes that while we help meet the needs of those struggling, they see someone genuinely cares about them.   

FATHER LEE FLAHERTY

Father Lee became our Spiritual Advisor upon his retirement, serving in that role for eight years.  It is a gift to our members to have him as Spiritual Advisor as he shares his deep faith, wisdom, and extraordinary knowledge of scripture. Throughout his life, Father Lee has modelled the heart of a Vincentian. He fortifies us through his constant prayer for members and those we serve, his guidance in our efforts to serve and to remain positive and hopeful in meeting God’s call.  Most especially, Father Lee’s own desire to deepen his love for God inspires us.  Father Lee believes being a Vincentian is a path to living our faith and becoming closer to God.