Left, from left, Rita Thiron, FDLC executive director, Sister Joyce Ann Zimmerman and Rev. Thomas Ranzino, chair, FDLC board of directors. Photo by Rev. Stephen Bird. Middle, Sisters Marita Beumer, left, and Marife Hellman with a check for the net proceeds from the sale of items at the Dayton Fair Trade sale. The funds are used to support a school in Guatemala for young Mayan women that Sister Marifé founded and operates. Contributed photo. Right, handcrafted purses from Guatemala were among the items offered at the Fair Trade sale. Dave Eck photo
Sister Joyce Ann Zimmerman received the Frederick R. McManus Award from the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions (FDLC) on Oct. 9 at the organization’s annual meeting in Dallas.
Named after Msgr. Frederick McManus, the national award is presented annually to a person or organization who has made significant contributions to furthering liturgical renewal in the United States. Msgr. McManus (1923-2005) served as a peritus at the Second Vatican council and drafted significant portions of the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy. He also helped establish the FDLC.
Sister Joyce Ann, founding director of the Institute for Liturgical Ministry in Dayton, works with diocesan worship directors, students of liturgy, parishes, and others to help them come to a deeper understanding of the mystery we celebrate in liturgy – Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and self-emptying – so that we may live it.
“That’s the whole key to liturgy,” she said. “Jesus’ whole life, his whole ministry was an act of self-giving.”
As a nationally-known liturgical theologian, Sister Joyce Ann has published more than 50 books and hundreds of articles, including many for Liturgical Press, Liturgy Training Publications, and the FDLC. She has conducted scores of workshops and holds six graduate degrees.
Receiving the McManus Award is an affirmation of the work God has done through her and her ministry, Sister Joyce explained.
“In a sense every award you receive is a very humbling moment,” she said. “All the good we do is not because of us. It’s because of God working within us.”
The FDLC exists as a resource for diocesan worship directors and their commissions by offering publications, conducting workshops and providing a peer network. Sister Joyce has been a longtime supporter of the organization, said Rita Thiron, executive director.
“We are especially pleased that such a knowledgeable woman has been recognized. We wanted to acknowledge her prolific contributions to liturgical formation in the church,” Thiron said. “We have often called on her to do workshops and presentations for us at the national and diocesan levels. She’s well respected among her colleagues and in the academic world as well as by the bishops of the United States.”
The McManus Award was established in 1995 and first presented to Msgr. McManus. Other recipients include Archbishop Emeritus of Cincinnati Daniel E. Pilarczyk and Bishop Emeritus of Erie Donald W. Trautman.
Shopping at the Precious Blood Sisters’ booth during the 12th annual fair trade sale Dec. 5 in Dayton was brisk as Sisters sold handmade items and delicacies from Guatemala to benefit the Holy Mary of the Most Precious Blood School in Guatemala.
The donations raised from the sale generated nearly $1,200 for the school, which serves young Mayan women. Women living in the villages create the goods, which included purses and couch pillows. Terra cotta Nativity scenes were again very popular.
The sale is a win-win because the women who create the goods receive fair compensation for their work while net proceeds are used to help fund the school’s education programs.
“In the long run the benefit is for the people,” said Sister Marifé Hellman, who founded and operates the school. “I’ve seen the children go to school and become teachers and affect positive change in the world.”
In operation for nine years, the school houses 32 young women. Several students have gone on to university studies.
Precious Blood Sisters have been active in the fair trade sale since 2008 and try to update their array of items for sale each year to keep buyers coming back.
Sister Marla Gipson was named Religious of the Year by the Knights of Columbus Council 2158 in Minster at their annual year-end banquet on Sept. 20.
Sister Marla is pastoral associate at St. Augustine Church in Minster. She is active in adult faith formation, pastoral care and outreach in the area. Sister Marla is often found each Sunday at Heritage Manor Nursing Home bringing communion to the residents, and is a consultant at the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.
The award recognizes her passion and care for the community, said Grand Knight Tim Bertke.
“I just appreciated being recognized by the people of Minster,” Sister Marla said. “I am happy to serve in the area.”