Tom Swoboda, former acting police chief of Park Ridge, will share with us insights on comforting others who face grieving moments at a sudden loss of a loved one. Hear Tom’s personal story and faith at work in his profession. Hear his charism of stepping forward, trusting, ever trusting, in the Lord for what to say and how to act. Hear tips that every parent can use in law enforcement issues.

Tom Swoboda, former acting police chief of Park Ridge, will share with us insights on comforting others who face grieving moments at a sudden loss of a loved one. Hear Tom’s personal story of losing his wife and how it affected faith at work. Hear his charism of stepping forward, trusting, ever trusting, in the Lord for what to say and how to act. Hear tips that every parent can use in law enforcement issues.

Adrienne Timm, Director of Social Service Ministry for St. Paul of the Cross, will tell us how she went from devoted VP of Production for a direct marketing company, to social service ministry. Her husband’s talk to her while pregnant was the beginning of a life change. Now her roots run deep in our parish faith life, via her love of her child and God’s call.

Mary Kay O’Rourke, deceased,was Principal of an inner-city grade school, St. Angela, with record enrollment growth. Hear her own and other’s stories about families that sacrifice for their education. Hear life changing family dynamics in a setting of discipline, yet inspired by God’s unconditional love for us and by extension to those we serve.

Thomas Schippers, a judge, will present a defendant’s comeback story. After many transgressions, following depression and drug violations, a psychological report indicated the defendant’s low self worth. Hear the judge’s surprising answer. See how rehabilitation can work in the court system. Hear tips on living a life that makes a difference, and tips on making work fulfilling.

Dave Dora is a retired Operations Manager who has extensively studied management principles. He speaks about the way in which he combined effective management with his faith, and how his faith guided him in difficult management situations.

Christe Roknich has been marketing and selling residential real estate since 1989 in Southern California. She feels fortunate and happy to call St. Edward her parish. A cradle Catholic, she was voluntold to attend Catholic 101 (aka RCIA) upon the birth of her first child. This became the springboard for a faith journey that has impacted her family life, her work, and leads her to find ways to evangelization and ministry that she could not have predicted.

DINA LUKE: is a wife and mother of six, and an active parishioner of St. Edward’s. She will share her faith story being a Disciple of Christ through two conversions, one to the Church and other after her marriage. Dina will describe, thru the eyes of a wife and mother, how the light of God’s love and wisdom drives her to serve others with no reservations.

Mary Jo DiRe, Volunteer, Co-coordinator of the Sunday Supper Program, will tell a journey of how an attempt to establish a PADS homeless shelter in Park Ridge led to the formation of a community-wide effort to feed the hungry. Hear the story of how a challenging time in our community led to creation of a positive and thriving ministry that serves the less fortunate and how her own faith journey became intertwined with that process. Mary Jo will speak about being open to God’s will and the goal of bringing compassion and love to “our little corner of the world.”

Katherine (Kit) Gray is a long time educator, facilitator and administrator with experience in education and health care. Sr. Kit describes how her faith led her to develop systems for mentoring many hundreds of health care professionals in ethical, patient-centered service. She discusses the Catholic underpinnings of health care, and the values that Catholic health care provides to patients, families and the community.

Michele Bungum, Evangelist, in this episode will tell us two stories about a power of suffering. Hear how to experience the power of suffering by offering the suffering to join Christ’s passionate suffering with our own as an oblation of mercy for those for whom we pray.

Shawn Messmer, Principal at Maine South, will share a story from his Principal’s Advisory Council with students. Hear how a student landscape architect offered an intriguing idea. See how Shawn’s faith help’s Shawn find as many ways to say “Yes” as possible while directing the student in ways to overcome pitfalls. Hear how Shawn continually talks about right and wrong to build a culture that helps others recognize and support each others’ talents and gifts. Hear empowering community tips from this high school principal.

Rosa Ceja is a passionate educator and the Program Director of the Capistrano Community Mariachi Program. Rosa describes how her focus on helping individuals and trust in the Lord shapes her successful work as a teacher and creator of the Mariachi Program.

Gerda Weitzel, a 30 year teacher with a Masters in Learning Disabilities, will tell how another teacher’s love of the Blessed Mother inspired Gerda to become a teacher. Hear Gerda’s touching story of Marilyn, a 9 year old, and a class that honored hard work. She said: “God works in mysterious ways and it is so important to accept it.”

Walter Cwik is a veteran engineer turned quality control director. Hear how his faith influences his profession in how he treats people. Hear motivational secrets he uses in quality control that we all can use.