Elizabeth Warpinski

In less than two months, the LMH Class of 2012 will begin their 4-month formation. I've asked our candidates to share a little about themselves and their reasons for wanting to be a Lay Mission-Helper. Below are a few words from Elizabeth Warpinski, a young woman from Wisconsin:

"I don't think I'm anyone's standard for a missionary. I drink too much, swear too much, and adore science fiction. It just goes to show that no matter who you are, when God calls, you answer. I first received the call when I was seventeen, over six years ago, and it has been a constant source of guidance ever since. There are a lot of things in my life I don't plan for, preferring to fly by the seat of my pants, so the intensity with which I knew I needed to mission proved to me the sincerity of its divine origin. When I am asked why I am doing this I often flounder at an explanation beyond "because I have to". I suppose it would be more correct to say "because God told me to."

I grew up on a small farm in Wisconsin where I learner the various crafts of herdsmanship, husbandry, woodworking, plumbing, cooking, and sewing. My parents instilled in me a love for the Church at a very young age, but I don't think they expected it to carry me so far. Dad's proud. Mom's terrified. In high school I was involved in theater, swimming and 4-h. At university I started as a wildlife major, but ended with a Bachelor of Arts in English lit. And I once again became involved in theater. I just really like telling stories.

I am impatient to begin my training with the Lay Mission-Helpers. I cannot wait to dive into the work God gave me. I will miss home a bit, miss my dog a lot, but nothing can stop me from doing the work I was called to do."

Peace be with you,
Elizabeth J. Warpinski

Full Circle

The LMH Class of 2011 has been commissioned and they are preparing to depart for their mission sites in the next few weeks. We go on mission to share our gifts and live our faith. Living in another culture changes us. At the end of three years, we often realize that we received so much more than we gave. Most of us will never know if we made a difference. But I guess that can be said for just about anyone in any place - we don't often see the "fruits" of our labor.

Lay Mission-Helpers have been sending lay missionaries overseas for 55 years. The people in this year's class have been requested for their mission assignments because of LMH'ers who served in the past.

In the late 1960's, George Nkuo was a Form I student at Bishop Rogan Minor Seminary. His biology teacher was Betty Risley - a Lay Mission-Helper. He is now Bishop George Nkuo of the Diocese of Kumbo. He remembers Betty as a dedicated teacher who lived out her faith and was an example to the students. Now that he is a Bishop, he is requesting LMH'ers to serve in his diocese. He sees not only the value of the skills they share, but the faith they witness and the friendships that are developed. Debbie Bauer and Frank Olszyna are the most recent in a long list of LMH'ers to serve in the Diocese of Kumbo.

Fr. Bernard Njeru was just a young boy when he met LMH'ers like Addie Coronado who served in Kenya in 1962-68. Years later, when he became a priest and worked in the Chancery Office of the Diocese of Meru, he worked alongside LMH'ers such as Mike & Yuki Ohashi. Now that he has his own parish, he has requested that LMH'ers Jeff & Dorothy Flint help him build up his parish. He knows that working together, we can build up the Kingdom of God.

With 55 years of service, and over 700 LMH have served, one can only wonder what impact each of us has made. All we can do is follow God's call and trust that God will do the rest.



Fr. Eugen, Frank Olszyna, Bishop George Nkuo, Debbie Bauer



Jeff & Dorothy Flint with Fr. Bernard Njeru

Preparing for Africa

Our LMH candidates are in their last month of the formation program and will be commissioned as Lay Mission-Helpers on May 22nd. Last month they received their official assignments.

Jeff & Dorothy Flint - as Pastoral Associates in Mikinduri, Diocese of Meru, Kenya
Deborah Bauer - as a Teacher at St. Pius X Schools in Tatum, Diocese of Kumbo, Cameroon
Frank Olszyna - as a Teacher at St. Augustine College in Kumbo, Diocese of Kumbo, Cameroon

In addition to classes that focus on Spirituality, Cross Cultural Issue, and Personal Development, they are learning more about the people and places where they will serve. Please keep them in your prayers as the continue their journey.

Class of 2011

The new LMH class is underway. The formation program began at the end of January with a week or orientation and a week of retreat. They are now full swing with regular classes such as a weekly scripture and theology class, two day workshop on communication, learning about the Myers-Briggs personality inventory, spirituality classes, etc.

The Class of 2011 consists of Jeff & Dorothy Flint (Bronx, NY), Debbie Bauer (Pasadena, CA) and Frank Olszyna (Torrance, CA). They bring their experience in youth ministry, teaching English, computers, administration, and much more. They will be given their official assignments for mission in March. Wherever they go, they will bring with them a wealth of experience, a desire to learn, and a faith that motivates them to leave family and friends and go out to the ends of the earth.