Honorees help shape students’ paths to life of generosity, love and service

An archdiocesan celebration of Catholic education on Oct. 8 honored four individuals whose Catholic values mark their lives. Sitting, from left, are honoree Sarah Lechleiter, featured speaker Mary McCoy and honoree Julie Bowers. Standing, from left, are honoree John Lechleiter, Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin and honoree Dr. David Wolf. (Photo by Rob Banayote)

By John Shaughnessy

One of the great gifts of a Catholic education is the way it “sets a child on a lifelong path of generosity, of love and of service.”

Those words from Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin capture the lives of the four people who were honored during the 2013 Celebrating Catholic School Values event on Oct. 8 at Union Station in Indianapolis. (Related: Record $3 million raised to send children to Catholic schools)

As this year’s recipients of the Career Achievement Awards, Julie Bowers and Dr. David Wolf have lived that way of life. So have John and Sarah Lechleiter, this year’s recipients of the Community Service Award.

Humbled by the award, David Wolf views it as an extended tribute to all the people who helped him and his family when he was growing up—the parishioners who gave them clothes, the religious sisters who shared food, and the man who became like a father to him after his dad died.

“Growing up, the Church was there for us over and over,” Wolf recalls. “I was able to go to Catholic schools because of others. Now, I’m one of those others. I feel an obligation to help.”

He does it with a faith and a focus that he describes as “full throttle.”

He is a past president of the board of directors at Roncalli High School in Indianapolis, where he has been involved with the building of a new chapel, a fine arts center, the athletic stadium and an administrative wing.

He is a founding member of SS. Francis and Clare of Assisi Parish in Greenwood, where he has done everything from coach basketball to lead baptism classes with his wife, Anne.

He set up a dental clinic in Haiti, volunteers as a dentist for poor children in Romania, and provides free dental care for people in need in Indianapolis and Greenwood.

“It’s just a way of giving back,” he says. “You see Christ in others.”

Wolf says that core belief was ingrained in him through his Catholic education, a gift that he and his wife have shared with their three children.

“They get something different at a Catholic school,” he says. “They get the reinforcement of the faith and how God is in their life. In good times and bad times, that faith will get you through anything. That constant reminder of Christ in your life is what makes Catholic education invaluable.”

Julie Bowers was honored for her deep commitment to Catholic education in a variety of ways.

Besides her 17 years in Catholic education as a teacher and principal, the mother of two grown children has been a catechist, a youth group leader and a confirmation preparation leader at St. Patrick Parish in Terre Haute. She has also been the coordinator of a capital campaign for the parish, and has served on its school commission and parish council.

Now, she is the “animator” of the strategic restructuring plan for the Terre Haute Deanery, helping the parishes there collaborate in their ministries. Her efforts include a plan for St. Patrick School to “ensure an affordable and accessible Catholic education to children in the deanery.”

One story shows the impact that Bowers had as a Catholic educator.

“I had taught this student in first grade, and then he was a student when I was the principal,” Bowers recalls of her time at St. Patrick School. “His mother withdrew him from our school one year because of financial reasons. About a year later, his grandfather called and said he wanted him back in our school. Msgr. Larry Moran and I found some school funding to provide a scholarship for him.

“I mentored the boy a lot as he stayed through the eighth grade. When he graduated from high school, he sent me a letter and said he was going into education because of me. He’s now a senior in college, and he’s going to be a music education teacher. When he saw me recently, he gave me a big hug.”

For Bowers, working in Catholic education is a vocation.

“A vocation is something you do out of love for the Lord,” she says. “What you do in service to him is a gift.”

John and Sarah Lechleiter received the Community Service Award. It honors their belief that “the hand of God is in everything,” and part of their purpose in life is to extend God’s reach through their efforts.

Sarah’s purpose in life has included serving as a volunteer at the St. Augustine Home for the Aged in Indianapolis, and with Birthline, an archdiocesan effort to help pregnant women in crisis and low-income young mothers who have recently given birth.

She also did just about everything a volunteer parent can during the years her three children attended St. Matthew School and Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School, both in Indianapolis.

John has helped with the Boy Scouts, coached basketball and football in the Catholic Youth Organization and served on the board of education at St. Matthew and as the chairman of the board of trustees at Brebeuf.

Their involvement and influence also continue to make an impact at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Marian University in Indianapolis and Providence Cristo Rey High School in Indianapolis, as well as their home parish, St. John the Evangelist in Indianapolis.

“Living our life and living as people of faith are just integrated into who we are and what we try to do,” says John, the president, chief executive officer and chairman of the board of Eli Lilly & Co. in Indianapolis. “We try to be good spouses, good parents, good siblings and good friends. We try to give back to the community.”

The tight weave of promoting Catholic education and the Catholic faith binds their volunteer commitments.

“Catholic education was so strong in my life and in John’s life,” Sarah says. “As I grew older, I realized that many people didn’t have that amazing opportunity and grounding, and I realized my blessings. It’s helped our children become the people they are. So we couldn’t be more grateful.”

The award recipients were praised by Harry Plummer, executive director of Catholic education and faith formation for the archdiocese: “Through their witness, we catch a glimpse of just how great an impact Catholic education has on so many lives in our community.” †