ST. FRANCIS DE SALES
PARISHIONER RECOGNITION

June 2009 HONOREE

Father Tony Scannell, OFM CAP

Fr. Larkin announced that Fr. Tony Scannell will be the recipient of the SFDS June 2009 Parishioner Recognition Award which will be presented at the June 28th Sunday 10am Mass. Fr. Tony will be celebrating his last regular SFDS Sunday 10am Mass on June 28th as demands from his order and resident parish require his services.

All Parishioners and Friends are invited to join together in honoring Fr. Tony at the Sunday 10am Mass for his many years of dedicated service to the SFDS Community. Many people flocked to the SFDS Sunday 10am Mass to hear their beloved and distinguished homilist deliver his weekly inspirational homily.

Immediately following Mass, the Parish will host a special reception in the parish auditorium. This will present parishioners the opportunity to express their appreciation for Father’s services at St. Francis de Sales which also included the very popular “Soup & Cinema” during the Advent and Lenten seasons. Fr. Tony has promised to return to present the “Soup & Cinema” programs.

Fr. Tony grew up as a young boy in Wisconsin and eventually joined the Capuchin Order where early on he became involved in Catholic media. As a priest, he has served the Catholic communications community internationally for over 40 years. He has also served as the Pastoral Telecommunications Specialist for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. His stellar career includes President of Franciscan Communications, and of Unda-World, provincial minister of the Capuchin province in Detroit, former Tidings’ publisher and is the co-founder of Catholics-In-Media Associates.

God has blessed the SFDS Community with the dedicated ministry of Fr. Tony. It is most appropriate that Fr. Tony Scannell receive the SFDS June Parishioner of the Month Award.

GOD’S BLESSINGS ON Father Tony Scannell, OFM, CAP!!!

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

MEDITATION PRAYER GROUP
The SFDS Meditation Group meets every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in the side Church. This prayer group practices the ancient Eastern method of meditation, which was later adapted for Christians by St. Benedict and is practiced daily by the Benedictine monks. All are welcome.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

 

Parishioner Recognition March 2008 HONOREES

Fr. Larkin announced that Joe & Marilyn Bardwil are the recipients of the SFDS April 2008 Parishioner Recognition Award which was presented at the April 12th  Saturday 5:00 pm evening Mass. Joe & Marilyn have been SFDS Parishioners for 54 years.  Parishioners, Family Members and Friends joined together in honoring Joe & Marilyn at the Mass for their many years of dedicated service to the SFDS Community. Immediately following the Mass, a “Meet and Greet Reception” for Joe & Marilyn was held in the SFDS Auditorium. The reception was sponsored by Meagan Rush Mayer and Andrew Manning.   

Joe was born in Salt Lake City Utah and with his family moved to Hollywood in 1927 where the family joined the Cathedral Chapel parish.  He graduated from Fairfax High School and attended USC and worked for Lockheed prior to joining the Navy CBs for World War II service from 1942-45.  After seeing service in the WW II Atlantic Theatre, Joe joined Mode O’Day Company and retired as an executive 43 years later.

Marilyn was born in Homestead Pennsylvania and raised in Detroit Michigan where she attended the Detroit Conservatory of Music until her parents decided to move to Hollywood which would better recognize their beautiful and talented young daughter. Marilyn graduated from Hollywood High.  She performed in theatre and worked as a receptionist at a Paramount Studios.

Fate would have it that shortly after returning from the service, Joe’s aunt who also worked for Paramount Studios, arranged for Joe to visit the Studios where he met a beautiful and talented receptionist named Marilyn.  Within a week, Joe’s aunt arranged a date for Marilyn and Joe.  Eighteen months later they were married at Cathedral Chapel on February 8, 1947.  Joe & Marilyn celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary this past February 8th.

The marriage was made in heaven and after returning from a career move to Chicago Illinois, the Bardwil’s made their home in Sherman Oaks in 1954 and joined the St. Francis de Sales community which still had its church on Fulton Avenue.  Priority one was to get their children enrolled in their parish’s elementary school which two classrooms per school year and no room for additional students.  Marilyn was determined to get her eldest daughter in the parish school and prevailed with the classroom nun.  All six of the Bardwil children graduated from the SFDS Elementary School and received their sacraments at SFDS: Barbara, Jim, Paul, Mary Jo, Theresa and Kathy. Their children graduated from Notre Dame High School and Corvallis High Schools.  Joe was a member of the Corvallis Board of Directors for 10 years.

The Bardwil contribution as a couple to the SFDS Community has been never ending for 54 years.  Joe has been an usher for 54 years and an organizing member of the SFDS Knights of Columbus, organizing the SFDS Serra Club group in 1954 and has served as the Serra’s District Governor and President of the local Council.  Joe also served as an usher for 54 years.  At the request of Fr. Larkin, Joe organized the Parish Counters in 1980 and still serves as Chair of the 18 member group after 27 years.  Joe was on the Board of Catholic Charities for 25 years.  He helped develop the Loaves & Fishes program for Catholic Charities in Van Nuys, Glendale , Canoga Park and Lancaster.

 Marilyn spent 24 years in full support of our SFDS School serving in many supportive roles as her children attended SFDS:  room mother, tutor, mentor and endless hours of food service and many fundraisers, and training students in song and dance.  She was a Board Member of the School PTO from 1954 to 1978.  She also spent many hours with the SFDS Theatre Productions and served as a member of the SFDS Choir for 24 years and the SFDS Ladies of Charity for 25 years and an active member of Serra for 20 years.

Both Joe and Marilyn have been SFDS lectors, Eucharistic ministers, members of the RCIA, the 55-Plus Club and the liturgy committee; founding members of the SFDS Mission club which supported an African parish from 1960 thru 2005.

In summary, what could be more rewarding than a great marriage of 61 years, six children and 12 grandchildren and the well earned love of their SFDS Community which they have faithfully served for more than 54 years.

God has blessed the SFDS Community many times over with the dedicated and faithful services of Joe & Marilyn Bardwil. It is most appropriate that Joe & Marilyn receive the SFDS March 2008 “Parishioner of the Month” Award.

God’s Blessings on Joe & Marilyn Bardwil & their family!!!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

PARISHIONER RECOGNITIONJANUARY 2008 HONOREE

MAURINE BACKUS

Maurine was born to parents Andrew & Florence Blair in New Hartford, Iowa. Her father was a butter-maker and her mother a full time mother of four children.   The FBI recruited Maurine right out of Lake City High School and she started her FBI career in Washington D.C. in 1943 and then transferred to the FBI office in downtown Los Angeles in 1945. “Not too bad for a country girl,” she says.

A young FBI Agent, Joseph Backus, swept Maurine off her feet and they were married in 1947 at St. Michael’s Church in Los Angeles.  A few years later they moved into the countryside, Sherman Oaks, and built themselves a beautiful home on Davana Terrace where Maurine resides to this day.  They joined St. Francis de Sales Church which was on Fulton Avenue at the time.  Joseph worked as an FBI Agent for 25 years and then for the State Bar for another ten years while Maurine was busy as a mother of four: Paul, Michael, Mary and Andew.

Joseph and Maurine were very active in the parish community.  Joseph helped to establish the St. Vincent de Paul chapter at SFDS and was a member of the SFDS Knights of Columbus, very active in Little League and even president of the Sherman Oaks Little League.  Maurine and Joseph loved travel and traveled extensively in Europe, cruised frequently and participated in the Parish travel club until Joseph’s passing in 1994.

The Backus children graduated from SFDS elementary school, Notre Dame High School and Grant High School.  Maurine was a very active school parent as a room mother, luncheon coordinator and parent organization and even teaching a music class.  Maurine’s lifelong avocation and love was music starting out as a church pianist and organist at the early age of seventeen.  Her life included years of music as a church organist, chorale and choir member, SFDS music teacher and  pianist and music arranger for the 55-Plus Club Chorale.  Her many years of parish involvement also included the choir and music groups and she served in many positions in the SFDS 55-Plus Club and now as 1st Vice President and Membership Director.  

Maurine’s greatest joy is her six grandchildren and one great grandchild in Portland, Oregon. After family, much of her life centers around her friends and activities in the SFDS community.

God has blessed the SFDS Community many times over with the dedicated and faithful services of Maurine Backus. It is most appropriate that Maurine receive the SFDS January 2008 “Parishioner of the Month” Award.

God’s Blessings on Maurine and her family!!!

 

 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

   
PARISHIONER RECOGNITION
DECEMBER 2007 HONOREE
ANN MEYERS

 Fr. Larkin announced that Ann Meyers is the recipient of the SFDS December 2007 Parishioner Recognition Award which will be presented at the December 8th Saturday 5:00 pm evening Mass.  All Parishioners, Family Members and Friends are invited to join together in honoring Ann at the Mass for her many years of dedicated service to the SFDS Community and to attend a “Meet and Greet Reception” immediately following in the SFDS Auditorium.
  Ann was born to parents Marie and Gerard Pedaems in Dickinson, North Dakota.  Along with an older sister and three brothers, she was raised on a farm near the small town of South Heart.  Ann’s mother died when she was 13.  As her sister was away at college, she took over household duties and likes to think of that time as a fortuitous preparation for her future fifty-five years of marriage and raising of eight children.

 Ann attended the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota where she obtained a B.S. degree in Nursing Education and a Nursing Degree from St. Mary’s Hospital where she met her future husband Bruce.  She moved to Milwaukee and worked at Columbia Hospital until Bruce completed Marquette Medical School.  They were married and moved to Los Angeles in 1952 where Bruce did an Internship and Residency in OB-GYN at Queen of Angels Hospital.  Ann worked at Queen of Angels as a Surgical Nurse until they moved to the San Fernando Valley in 1953 where she worked in the same capacity at several hospitals and also helped her husband with his practice management.

 Ann and Bruce have been members of St. Francis de Sales Parish for 54 years.  They are the proud parents of eight children who are graduates of the SFDS Elementary School and of Notre Dame and Louisville High Schools. They are: Jeanne Link, Ph.D. Assoc. Professor of Nuclear Medicine at UW; Dianne Rusinek, M.A. Spanish & Literature, a Realtor in Scottsdale; Bruce Meyers II, Contractor and L.A. City Senior Construction Inspector; Craig Meyers, B.S. Clinical Lab Scientist at Cottage Hospital, Santa Barbara; Scott Meyers, M.D. Neuroradiologist in Bellpre, Ohio; Mel Meyers, B.S. Mechanical Engineer in the San Fernando Valley; Robert Meyers, J.D. Family Law Attorney in San Luis Obispo; Erik Meyers, M.D. Neonatologist at St. Luke’s Hospital, Boise, Idaho.  Bruce and Ann are blessed with 15 grandchildren and take great pleasure in visiting and vacationing with them.

 Ann is a member of Notre Dame High School Women’s Auxiliary, East SFV Medical Auxiliary, Assistance League of SFDS and the Junipero Serra Club of SFV.   Her favorite volunteer activity is at St. Francis de Sales where she is a Lector, Minister of Holy Communion, Sacristan, a member of the Adult Club, Altar Society and coordinates Holy Mass at three Convalescent homes in the area.

God has blessed the SFDS Community many times over with the dedicated and faithful services of Ann Meyers. It is most appropriate that Ann receive the SFDS December 2007 “Parishioner of the Month” Award.

God’s Blessings on Ann and her family!!!

 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

ST. FRANCIS DE SALES PARISHIONER RECOGNITION 
NOVEMBER 2007 HONOREE JAMES ARMSTRONG, SR.

Fr. Larkin announced that James Armstrong, Sr. is the recipient of the SFDS November 2007 Parishioner Recognition Award which will be presented at the November 10th Saturday 5:00 pm evening Mass.  All Parishioners, family members and Friends are invited to join together in honoring Jim at the Mass for his many years of dedicated service to the SFDS Community.

Jim was born on Ft. Jay Island in New York of a medical military family and served in the US Air Force from 1948-52 in Germany as part of a meteorology division.  He met the love of his life, Margaret, while attending Columbia University.  Margaret was from Donegal Ireland. They were married in 1958 and celebrated 46½ years of marriage before Margaret’s passing in 2004.   Jim graduated from Columbia University with a Bachelor of Architecture in 1960.  Margaret was a nurse at Kaiser for 18 years before retiring.  Jim and Margaret joined the SFDS Parish in 1961 and were  very involved parishioners.  Jim spent 18 years with an international architectural firm (oversaw the preparation of the construction documents for the Ventura County Government Center), 30 years  as an executive with the Wells Fargo Bank architectural department before retiring in 1995, and still serves as an independent consultant to the Bank

Jim and Margaret had two children, Jackie and Jim, who both graduated from our SFDS School.  Jackie graduated from Corvallis High School and Jim, Jr. graduated from Notre Dame High School.  Both Jackie and Jim were married at St. Francis de Sales Church.  Jackie has one son, Alex, 12 years of age.  Jim’s Grandson, Alex, attends school in Palos Verdes Estates.  Jim, Jr. has two sons who were baptized at St. Francis.  Grandson Austin graduated from SFDS and is currently a freshman at Notre Dame and Grandson Ryan is a 2nd Grader at SFDS where a proud grandfather is frequently involved with Ryan’s activities.

Jim has been a parishioner for 47 years and has dedicated much of his life to many SFDS ministries such as:  Lector, Usher, Eucharistic Minister, Sacristan, and Counter. Whether serving as a lector or as Eucharistic Minister, or ushering parishioners at Mass or helping in the sacristry, you will always find Jim quietly serving the SFDS community in a very dedicated and professional manner. Over the years, Jim has also been an active member of the Knights of Columbus, the Serra Club and Adult Club.

Jim is also a member of the Parish Finance, Special Projects and Design Committees where he contributes his professional skills.  His accomplishments in this area include: design of the Shepherd’s Chapel, the St. Joseph’s Chapel, the altar statutes and upgraded altar lighting system.  He assists in the development and review of all plans for major parish upgrades or additions.

God has blessed the SFDS Community many times over with the dedicated and faithful services of Jim Armstrong and his family. It is most appropriate that Jim receive the SFDS November 2007 “Parishioner of the Month” Award.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

ST. FRANCIS DE SALES PARISHIONER RECOGNITION 
OCTOBER 2007 HONOREE Marianne De Chellis
 
Fr. Larkin announced that Marianne De Chellis is the first recipient of the SFDS Monthly Recognition Award at the October 13th Saturday evening Mass. All Parishioners and Friends were invited to join Fr. Larkin in honoring Marianne at the Mass for her many years of dedicated service to our community. 

Marianne and her husband, Robert, were married in Cleveland, Ohio on August 30, 1941 and moved to Glendale, California in 1947.  They operated their tailor shop in Hollywood for 52 years where they became known as “The Tailors to the Stars.” They had devoted customers such as Bob Cummings, Andy Devine, Bob Barker, Dustin Hoffman, Sydney Poitier and industry leaders as Jack Kent Cooke, Henry J. Kaiser, and the Nethercutt Family who had a famous cosmetic line along with the Nethercutt Museum.  Robert served as usher for many years and was active in the Knights of Columbus for fifty years and was a 4th Degree Knight.
 
The De Chellis Family moved from the Holy Family Parish in Glendale to Sherman Oaks and the St. Francis de Sales Parish in October of 1958.  Three of the five De Chellis children graduated from St. Francis de Sales and all five children (Mary, Rick, Michael, Tina, Suzi) graduated from either Notre Dame High School or Corvallis High School.  Marianne is the loving and dotting grandmother of 15 grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
 
Marianne is being recognized by St. Francis de Sales for her many years of loving and dedicated service to the St. Francis de Sales Community in both the parish and school since 1958.  She assisted Msgr. Nevin in the sacristy and later became Head Sacristan for 15 years.  Her reputation as the Parish’s 1st Wedding Coordinator spread and other parishes sent their staff to SFDS to study a model Wedding Coordinator program.
 
Always an active member of the Parish, Marianne also served as President of the Altar Society, President of the Mother’s Club, Secretary of the 55-Plus Club for six years, and President of the Club for two years and still serves as a Vice President of the Club.  No task too small, she tutored 1st Graders in the 1980s, laundered and ironed the priests’ albs and Altar Servers’ garments for 49 years, served as Parish Lector and still serves as a Eucharistic Minister.  Marianne is famous for supporting many functions and fundraisers with her delicious cakes and cookies. 
 
The St. Francis de Sales Community has been truly blessed with the loving and gracious presence of Marianne De Chellis.  It is most appropriate that Marianne receive the SFDS October 2007 “Parishioner of the Month Award.”
 
God’s Blessings on Marianne and her family!!!