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Lumen Christi winners announced

The work of staff members at the Light of Christ Catholic School Division was celebrated Friday at an event at Alex Dillabough Centre.

The work of staff members at the Light of Christ Catholic School Division was celebrated Friday at an event at Alex Dillabough Centre.

The event saw a change in format to a less-formal setting, but the intent was the same — to celebrate the accomplishments of staff through long-service awards, to celebrate those retiring from the division and presentation of the Lumen Christi awards — the prestigious awards recognizing those in the school division who promote and enhance Catholic education in the community.

This year two individuals were honored with the Lumen Christi Award.

One of the recipients in the Friend category is Ken Loehndorf. He was director of education in the school division from 1992-2007. In her presentation, board of education vice-chair Adrienne Welter said Loehndorf  “displayed a commitment to a quality Catholic education for each and every student.”

Upon retirement, he joined as executive director of the Saskatchewan Catholic School Boards Association, a position he holds today.

In that position he was praised for his “determination to ensure that all of us involved in Catholic education seek to appreciate more deeply the gift of Catholic education in Saskatchewan, and encourage each one of us to work diligently to preserve and expand this gift.”

He is also active in a leadership role in his parish as a member of its council and as president. He also serves as president of Catholic Family Services in the Battlefords.

Loehndorf also accompanied the mission team from John Paul II Collegiate to Peru to help the team build stairs from a shantytown community uphill to a water well. 

The other Lumen Christi recipient is Ginelle Olson, a current staff member who teaches at Rivier Elementary School in Spiritwood, the community in which she grew up.

Board member Brandy Pyle said Olson “is the perfect example of someone who uses her faith compass to guide her life.” She was described as a “caring and respectful teacher who permeates her instruction with Catholic faith whenever possible.”

Her faith involvement extends to activity including as a parish council member, liturgy co-ordinator, active involvement in church fundraising activities and many other activities.

Her principal, Frances Weber, indentified her as a “model faith mentor” and described her qualities of being “ humble, she glorifies God, she has immense patience, she is thankful of her blessings, she is confident in the faith, she has a strong sense of spiritual identity, she understands the importance of loyalty, she sets a good example, and she encourages others to become stronger in their faith and to take on roles in their church.”