Good morning. Thanks in advance for your time and attention this morning. When asked in the past, by my good friend Sue, to share my resurrection story, I said, Sue, I am not a public speaker, I prefer to listen... In fact I am a good listener. Well, that was in 2014, then 2015, well Sue can be very persuasive and persistent, so here I am to share my story. 

My name is Kathy Vandelinder, and I have been a member of St. Clare parish for 30 years. With my husband David, together we have raised three now adult children, who received their religious education and sacraments here at St. Clare. But my Catholic journey began long before that. 

My Catholic journey began in southwest Detroit, at Holy Redeemer church. Back then, that was one of your key identifiers "your parish," I was a Redeemer girl. Born to my amazing parents, Joseph and Marie Terese Tobin, I am the 4th of 13 children. Needless to say, it was a busy, Irish-American household.... But faith and family were always placed at the center of my life. 

I credit my parents and extended family for my Catholic roots and making my journey so positive. In my youth, many a Sunday was spent traveling to the IHM motherhouse in Monroe Michigan, to visit my mothers' 3 aunts and 2 cousins, who were retired IHM sisters there. After mass in the chapel, we ran the halls and grounds and were always welcomed with open arms by the sisters. Not too many places did that for 13 children, again faith and family. 

When the sisters had enough of us, I started hanging out at seminaries. My oldest brother Joe, entered the Redemptorist seminary in high school. Most of our family vacations were spent visiting him during his formation, in schools in Wisconsin and New York. Great times, again welcomed with open arms, faith and family at my center. During Joe's years as a priest, we have been blessed to attend his ordination to the priesthood in Wisconsin, then his ordination as an Archbishop in Rome. Today, we visit him often in Indianapolis, where he is now the Archbishop there.  Again, faith and family. Most family events today begin with someone asking "when is Joe going to say mass?"

Religious order nuns and priest, have had a great impact on my life and my Catholic formation. 

I am blessed to have met my husband David some 34 years ago, and together we have raised 3 amazing kids. Again, we have stressed faith and family as a constant example for them. 

As a registered nurse, my career has spanned over 38 years. Most of my nursing has been at Beaumont Grosse Pointe Hospital as Manager of the Operating Room. Back in the day, I was hired by Sister Lucretia, then a hospital administrator when the hospital was known as Bon Secours. And I am fortunate to see our hospital Chaplain Father Rich Bartozek almost every day at work. Again, faith and family have also guided my career pathway. 

In closing, as Father Andrew mentioned last week, part of our Easter Resolutions, should be to act outside of our comfort zone, so here I am sharing my story today. The generosity and love that I have experienced in my life is a constant reminder to pay it forward to others. But also, as an avid Red Wing fan, did I have to follow Darren McCarty who spoke so well last week.!!! Again, thank you!!