Family of the Month - Murray and Kim Claassen

Brother Murray Claassen and his lovely wife Kim are the Knight Family of the Month for August 2018. Brother Murray is in his second year as our council treasurer. In his first year in that job, he was able to keep our previous financial secretary out of trouble. Believe me, that was a big burden! He is also the chairman of this year’s CPID effort. Outside of his council duties, Murray also serves on the Parish Finance and Administration Committee, chairs the Hot Springs Village Public Works Committee and is a member of the Balboa Club Renovation Steering Team. However, he told me that his proudest accomplishment occurred during the recent St. John’s benefit golf tournament when he single-handedly carried his three teammates (Donnelly, Cuba and Kulas) to victory.

Kim is a member of the Ladies of the Sacred Heart St. Teresa Guild. Every week she tutors 2nd and 3rd graders in reading and math at Mountain Pine School. She also is active in our upcoming parish treasure sale. Kim and Murray are both Perpetual Adorers. Next year, they will become the coordinators of our parish Taste of Faith dinner fundraiser, taking over for Bob and Mary Anne Honzik.

Kim and Murray, thanks for everything you do. Let’s hear it for our August Family of the Month!

Fam of Month July18

Ron became a member of our council soon after he and Pat moved to the Village in 1997. Ron is serving his second year as our council Warden. In this position, he is responsible for all council property, meeting set-up and tear-down, and refreshment center supplies. The council storeroom used to resemble McGee’s closet, but under Ron’s strong management, it’s a model of neatness and efficiency. On meeting nights, Ron is the first to arrive and last to leave. Over the years, Ron has chaired or co-chaired several events such as the Mardi Gras and New Years Eve parties. Pat and Ron are both members of our Perpetual Adoration team. Pat is a longtime member of the Ladies of the Sacred Heart. She was head of her St. Mary’s Guild and served as LOSH secretary for two years. Pat spent two years on the Parish Council’s Parish Life committee. She also serves on the altar decorating committees for Lent, Palm Sunday, Easter and Christmas. Pat says that one of her most rewarding activities is volunteering for five weeks every summer teaching children how to swim at the Fitness Center pool. When I look at all these accomplishments, it blows my mind that the Cubas have never been selected as our Family of the Month. Tonight we’re rectifying that oversight. Let’s hear it for the Pat and Ron!

June 2018 Family of the Month - Michael and Anne Downes

The Family of the Month for June are Michael and Anne Downes.  I think you all know that Brother Bob Honzik recently spearheaded a program that collected comfortable chairs for the newly-refurbished rooms in Fletcher Hall, the diocesan retreat center in Little Rock.  More than 40 of these large pieces of furniture were donated.  One problem: How do we get them to Little Rock?  Here’s where Michael and Anne stepped in.  They are owner/operators of Village Movers and they donated their truck and their own labor to get the chairs to Fletcher Hall.  This was a huge project and, as Bob said, we couldn’t have gotten it done without them.

By the way, Village Movers has helped us on similar projects many times over the years. Michael became a Knight in 1995 and has served as a council officer.  Michael and Anne are both members of the Hot Springs Village Chamber of Commerce and the Community Foundation.  Anne is a registered nurse and a member of our Perpetual Adoration Team.