2005Distinguished Service Awards

five recipients to be honored March 3 in Willmar

New Ulm, MN - Recipients of the 2005 New Ulm Diocesan Distinguished Service Award

are: Gail Bromenschenkel, Wayne Kramer, Margaret Manderfeld, Ellen Nester, and Anna Marie Reiter. The awards will be presented by Bishop John C. Nienstedt on March 3, 2005 at the annual Bishop Lucker Lecture to be held this year in Willmar.

Gail Bromenschenkel, of St. Mary Parish in Sleepy Eye, is recognized for her work with the Hispanic ministry team at St. Mary’s. For many years, she directed a religious education program in Spanish and recruited and trained all of the catechists. The program was recently merged into the total parish program. Gail is involved with the music ministry for the weekly Sunday Mass in Spanish. She is also a Spanish teacher at St. Mary High School and has invited many of her students to participate in the ministry. Gail served on the Diocesan Pastoral Council as a representative for the Hispanic community.

Wayne Kramer, of St. Mary Parish in Arlington, is distinguished for his service to the Diocesan Pastoral Council and the Regional Pastoral Council. He was elected chairperson by both groups. Wayne is also involved with the Knights of Columbus and has served as Grand Knight and District Deputy. Wayne and his wife, Virginia, have three children and four grandchildren. Even though he has suffered from cancer for the past ten years, he continues to be active in parish ministry and to be concerned about the welfare of others.

Margaret "Margy" Manderfeld, of St. Mary Parish in New Ulm, began working for the

Diocese of New Ulm in 1986. Since 1988, she has served exceptionally as the Executive Secretary for Bishop Raymond A. Lucker, the Reverend John G. Berger who was Diocesan Administrator from 2000 - 2001, and Bishop John C. Nienstedt. She also assists the Offices of Vicar General, the Chancellor, Priest Personnel and Pastoral Administrators, and the Bishop’s Delegate in Matters Pertaining to Sexual Misconduct. Margy has two adult children and three grandchildren and keeps busy with all of their activities. She enjoys quilting and designed the patterns for the diocesan banners.

Ellen Nester, of St. Catherine Parish in Redwood Falls, is recognized for her involvement with the New Ulm Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (NUDCCW). She served as the Diocesan President, the Family Concerns chair, and is currently the Organization Commission chair. In addition to her local responsibilities, she represents the Diocese on the Provincial Board of the Council of Catholic Women. Ellen also continues her involvement with the St. Catherine CCW and various parish ministries. She and her husband, Jim, have been married for thirty-three years and are the proud parents of three adult children.

Anna Marie Reiter, of St. Pius X in Glencoe, is distinguished for her efforts to assist with the organization of Hispanic ministry. She is a member of the Hispanic ministry planning committee in the Glencoe area. For more than fifteen years, she has helped to coordinate the seasonal ministry to migrant workers. Anna Marie served on the Diocesan Evangelization and Catechesis Committee as a representative of the Hispanic community and currently serves on the Ad Hoc Committee on the Future of Hispanic Ministry in the Diocese of New Ulm. She is a tireless advocate for the needs of people, especially her Hispanic brothers and sisters.