Sister Marie Michael Hayden,OSU :  "Her commitment is unmatched." 

     Sister Marie Michael Hayden, pastoral associate and director of religious education at Saint John the Baptist Parish in Fordsville, was named winner of the 2004-2005 Bishop John J. McRaith Catechetical Award last summer. "It was the biggest surprise I've ever received," says Sister Marie Michael. "It was really a surprise. I cherish it because it was by nomination and because it's called the Bishop McRaith award." She continued, "I worked with the diocesan office for many years, and that makes it even more special."
     Sister Marie Michael, who is celebrating her 50th year as an Ursuline Sister of Mount Saint Joseph, may have been surprised when her name was called out as the winner of the award, but others were not. "Her commitment as a catechetical leader is unmatched," says Sister Clarita Browning, OSU. "I worked closely with her when I was ministering as a parish DRE."

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      Ohio County High School senior and catechist for primary grades Allie Edge (next to Sister Marie Michael) enjoys working with siblings Kate and Stephen.
      Sister Julia Head, OSU, says, "If long years of service do not give a full measure of commitment, consider her efforts to keep up to date with all things catechetical." Sister Goretti Browning, OSU, adds, "I believe her deep faith and humility, her qualities of hospitality, adaptability and generosity make her an outstanding role model for catechists, youth leaders and parishioners."
    
J16     Youth minister Christine Dietel (l.) and primary grades catechist Allie Edge (r.) with Sister.
A native of Owensboro, Sister Marie Michael began her teaching career at St. Columbia School in Louisville in 1957. She moved on to St. Catherine School in New Haven from 1959 to 1964 before becoming director of religious education for the dioceses of Lincoln, Nebraska, and then Owensboro. She also served as director of religious education in Lebanon, Missouri, before coming to Fordsville in 2002.
     "Without a doubt, Saint John's is the smallest parish (78 members, 47 families) I've ever been associated with," says Sister Marie Michael, "but what a joy it has been to get to know everyone. That sure wasn't the case when I was in Nebraska. I had to work out of a suitcase as I traveled across the state, from Iowa to Colorado. There were 134 parishes there with over ten thousand in adult education." She said there were only 400 families in Saint Francis De Sales parish in Lebanon and only 200 in Sacred Heart parish in Russellville, but "they were still bigger than Saint John's.""I'm fulfilling a
smmwn    Sister Marie Michael brings a newspaper daily to her next door neighbor, Alcie.
special need here at Saint John's because there's no priest available on a regular basis," Sister Marie Michael points out. And there are plenty of challenges. She explains, "A big challenge is the fact that everyone lives so far apart. One lives 12 to 15 miles in one direction. Another 10 miles in the other direction. Another is the fact that Catholics are in a minority in the Fordsville area, and a high percentage of our residents are senior citizens or middle aged. We have very few families with small children. The area also has a high unemployment rate, which accounts for our lack of young families.
      It may be an older group of Catholics who find themselves living as a minority in a rural area with high unemployment, but they have never lost their faith. "The families that are with us are very strong, faith-filled Catholics," Sister Marie Michael proudly proclaims. "They are committed to their church and are so cooperative when it comes to working for the church." She continues, "We strengthen the Catholic faith of our parishioners through two weekly masses, sacraments and sacramental preparation, religious education of grade- school and high-school youth, adult faith sharing and bible study groups." There are other areas in which the parishioners can get involved. "We work to spread the gospel to others in the community through outreach to the poor (St. Vincent de Paul), visitation to the local nursing homes and senior center, and working with the community on local projects."
      Christine  Kemper Dietel is youth minister at St. John's. "Sister Marie is a spiritual leader and advisor," she says, "she has been instrumental in my spiritual growth. I have learned much from her. She provides much wisdom when others or I have questions. Sister is well known by all in the community, people of all faiths. She visits hospitalized patients and makes home visits to people of all faiths."
      In her ministry to the poor, elderly and disabled, Sister Marie Michael visits regularly with her next door neighbors, Ernie, and his mother, Alcie. Alcie says that Ernie had been experiencing some very difficult times. He had fallen into a very
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    Sister lends a helping hand during one of many fundraisers for the new church - a barbecue chicken sale. Other parishioners participating in the sale are, l. to r., Johanna Beeler, Mary Roby and Martha Payne.

depressed state, unable to communicate with others. But, she says, the regular visits from Sister Marie Michael have hanged his outlook on life and that they both anxiously look forward to them.

GROUP   Sister with catechists (l. to r.) Johanna Beeler, Chuck Payne and Christine Kemper Dietel.

     "Right now we're all excited with the prospect of the new church," says Sister Marie Michael as she looks ahead to the new year. "The land has been donated by a protestant Fordsville resident, Bob Dunaway. The parishioners have pledged their financial support and are participating in numerous, ongoing fundraisers for the new church."  Ground has already been broken and, weather permitting, construction could be completed by midsummer. The present church, which was built in 1976, has a capacity of only 75. The new church will double that capacity.
     Father Eric Riley is pastor of St. John's. When asked about his working with Sister Marie Michael, he says, "In our time together, I have come to have full confidence in her ability to share with me in the pastoral responsibility of teaching, governing, and sanctifying the people of God, to the full extend allowed by the Church. Her faith-filled and faithful witness to the Gospel is an inspiration to all who encounter her. Her knowledge of the Catholic faith and clarity in handing on the faith are admirable."
      He, too, sees her love for people. "Her passion for people in need is a testament to her deep and abiding faith in Christ Jesus. Her ability to quietly lead others by example is a rare quality today. The parish of Saint John the Baptist is blessed by the love, concern and good work of Sister Marie Michael, who continues to serve our parish with the exemplary dedication to the faith and the people of God as the Ursuline Sisters who have served us in the past."
     Youth Minister Christine Dietel adds how she has seen the effect Sister Marie Michael has made on the small community of Fordsville. "She volunteers serving meals weekly at our senior citizen center and is involved in the homemakers club, makes visits to our local nursing home, and welcomes new people to the community. She encourages adults and youth to take an active role in and out of the church, from planting flowers and singing at the nursing home to reading at mass. Mass attendance and participation have grown since the arrival of Sister Marie Michael. She is truly a servant of our Lord."