Page 16 - SPIRIT-Spring2016

alumnae association Vendor Boutique Showcases Unique Merchandise

WomanofHeart

Empowered intellectually, spiritually and morally, graduates that I was able to build
serve as responsible members of the global community. upon in my career and
for this project.”
Karen Winkelmann Irwin ’79 In addition to
Cor Jesu’s help over ABOVE: 1982 shoppers were in full force, including Jeannette Butler Eskridge, Jane Schwartz, Chris Brush Frazier,
Chris Braun, Heidi Butts-Wiegand and Vickie Sciarrino Nowlin
“All works of love are works of peace.” Karen understood how important it would the years in various BOTTOM RIGHT: Vendor Sami Maurer ’11 (far left) sold her merchandise with the help of Zoe Preis ‘11, Kristen
– Mother Teresa be for the soldiers to know that “they were ways, including most McGuire and Kelli Nestle ‘11 Vendor Katy Mueller ’12 participated in the event with
When speaking to students about her being remembered and appreciated by recently, sponsoring the help of her mom, Linda Tonsi Mueller ‘83.
“work of love,” Karen Winkelmann Irwin people back home.” Hence, the grassroots a care-package collec- ”The CJ Vendor Boutique is a great way to reconnect with friends, both old
’79 shares “how important it is to listen “Operation Sunscreen-MONG” was born. tion at the November and new. As an alum, I enjoy seeing familiar faces from the past. And now as
a current parent, it is a great way to connect with new friends. The event has
to that little voice – which I believe is the “At the time, Missouri had over 800 2015 First Friday Liturgy, other groups really grown and continues to get better and better. I especially love all the
Holy Spirit – and be obedient. When you soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan,” Karen have also assisted Operation Sunscreen. clothing options!” – Maria Sternitzky DuCharme ’86
step out in faith, one person can make a recalled. “I made a personal commitment The Veiled Prophet Community Service
difference.” to the Missouri National Guard Family Initiative (CSI) learned of Karen’s efforts “I have participated as a vendor since its inception because it is a terrific event
Since 2007, more than 9,500 Missouri Support and Readiness Group in Jefferson and gathered 110 volunteers to assemble that gets better each year. It’s a fun night for both vendors and attendees and
National Guard (MONG) soldiers and City that I would make sure each of our the packages filled with sunscreen, per- a great opportunity to reconnect with alumnae, meet new people and stay
airmen deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan, deployed soldiers would receive at least sonal-care items and notes to the soldiers. connected to CJ, all while getting an early start on your holiday shopping.”
Kosovo and Kuwait have been touched one care package that year. I had no idea Support has also derived from the Irwins’ –Carol Ruff Sheahan ‘79, Silpada Designs Independent Rep
by Karen’s openness to the Holy Spirit’s where the money would come from, but parish, Holy Infant, as well as from her
prompting. That was the year, when, af- I knew that this was something I was sup- immediate family.
ter receiving an email from a fellow Mary posed to do.” Karen, David and their sons, David
Kay sales director on the East Coast invit- Despite the uncertainty of attaining and Stephen, who are in graduate school Alums Return for Thanksgiving
ing her to send sunscreen and personal- the needed funds, Karen is never deterred. and college, respectively, have joined the
care items to deployed soldiers, Karen Her faith is her guide. forces over the past nine years, selling Mass and Breakfast Reception
was inspired to create her own outreach, “My husband says that I have the pretzels after Mass, gathering friends to
even closer to home. worst business model in the world,” Karen help organize and count the donations, It was standing-room-only at the Thanksgiving Liturgy on Wednesday, November 25,
With her husband, Brigadier General admitted. “I find out how many care pack- and spending Thanksgiving weekends 2015, as graduates spanning many years returned for the traditional alumnae Mass. The
David Irwin (retired), having served in ages we need to send and then spend the assembling the care packages. Retired Class of 2015, especially, was represented by a large number of alums, who were treated
the Missouri National Guard for 31 years, money to make it happen, not knowing Brigadier General Irwin also joins his wife to a breakfast reception hosted by the Alumnae Association in their honor.
where the funds are coming from. I just to educate school-age children about the “The breakfast after the Thanksgiving Liturgy was a great time to visit with my
trust that God will always provide.” National Guard soldiers and airmen. classmates, some whom I hadn’t seen since graduation,” Sloane Carlson ’15 commented. ABOVE LEFT: Kate Hazelton and Abby Eleeson
And provide, God does! “It’s important to note,” Karen stated, “It was so fun to be back in the cafe and pick right back up where we left off. I loved ABOVE RIGHT: Olivia Hannah and Allison Stumpf
With boots on the ground, Karen “that our soldiers don’t want people to hearing about everyone’s first semester of college. It felt like it had been so long since we BELOW: Julia Pottinger and Nora Thiemann
recruits community assistance for Opera- feel sorry for them. They are proud of were all there last. It was also awesome to visit with some of the faculty!” LEFT: Former CJ faculty member, Kelly White, Emily
tion Sunscreen-MONG through donations their services. They simply appreciate be- Ferretti, Shannon Klaus and Marissa Leong
from individuals, small businesses and ing remembered.
schools, including her alma mater. “I believe that if just one soldier has
Cor Jesu, Karen stated, is the place a better day or brighter outlook or more
where she learned “to be a strong, car- hope because he or she received a care
ing, independent woman, who learned to package,” Karen noted, “then all the ef-
dream big and enjoy the journey. I also fort was worthwhile.”
had the opportunity to chair our first Cor For more information about Opera-
Jesu Auction in 1979, then part of CJA’s tion Sunscreen-MONG, visit Karen’s web-
carnival. Doing that taught me many skills site at www.operationsunscreenmo.org.
Missouri National Guard soldiers receive care packages from
Operation Sunscreen-MONG.
SPIRIT • SPRING 2015-16 15