Since 2006, the Legacy of Faith endowment foundation of the Diocese of Marquette has been honoring Catholics from throughout the Upper Peninsula with the Catholic Service Award (CSA). The recipients are selected based on their exemplary service to not only their respective parishes and the Catholic Church, but also their communities. This year’s honorees are Judy Boyle of St. Michael Parish in Marquette and Father Joseph Gouin, pastor of American Martyrs Parish in Kingsford.
Judy Boyle
Boyle, a native of Ishpeming, moved to Marquette and became a parishioner of St. Michael Parish at the age of 20 after marrying her husband Herb. Ever since she has shared her time, talent and treasure with the parish in a variety of capacities.
In the past, Boyle has served as chairperson and member of the parish pastoral council and parish finance council. She also was a member of the parish personnel committee, coordinator of the U.P. Catholic Service Appeal campaign for the parish, as well as several other committees.
Currently, Boyle is a member of the communications committee and the development committee. And, you can find her in the parish office during the week as the bulletin editor.
According to her pastor, Father Greg Heikkala, Boyle demonstrates a great love for the Catholic Church and her parish. “She shares her time, expertise and talents with generosity and joy. Her life of prayer and service is a great example to her family, friends, and to the parish at large,” he said.
Boyle has also served the Church on the diocesan level, including a member of the Catholic Social Services (CSS)board of directors and The U.P. Catholic Advisory Board. During her time on the CSS board, the director stepped down due to health issues. At the request of then Bishop Alexander Sample, Boyle was named interim director until a new director was hired, helping the agency through a difficult time.
Boyle was fit for the job due to her vast business knowledge, having worked as the executive director for the Upper Peninsula Medical Center Corporation, a job she retired from after 15 years of dedicated service.
Boyle’s joy-filled attitude in all that she does, extends beyond the Church. Boyle’s community involvement has included secretary of the Marquette Township planning commission, member of the Marquette Township recreation committee and the board of review. She also spent 10 years as a member of the “Thumbs Up” team, which raised money and participated in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, in honor of her husband Herb who died from bladder cancer.
Father Heikkala presented Boyle with the CSA commemorative medallion on Aug. 14 following the 8 a.m. daily Mass, which she regularly attends.
Father Joseph Gouin
Father Gouin has served the Diocese of Marquette as a priest for 52 years. During that time he has served several parishes in the diocese, including more than 25 years at his current assignment, American Martyrs in Kingsford.
Each one of Father Gouin’s parishioners holds such a special place in his heart, that he refers to them as “his family.” He is committed to each of his parishioners, but especially the young people. This commitment has been shown through holding a special Mass for students each week in the morning before school, followed by breakfast, as well as fireside chats on a regular basis. Another example of this is his generosity in establishing a college scholarship endowment, which rewards high school seniors of his parish for their faithfulness to the Church.
He has also been an example to many young people, including several priests of the diocese. “I am personally a priest today in no small part because of Father Joe’s influence, example and support,” stated Father Ben Hasse, who has known Father Gouin since a young age. “He frequently took groups of guys out for lunch or dinner to encourage us to consider the priesthood, and as I grappled with my own discernment, his example of integrity, prayerfulness and joy in the priesthood helped me to consider it seriously for myself.”
In continuing his commitment to “his family,” he leads by example in always being the first person of the parish to make his pledge to the Upper Peninsula Catholic Service Appeal each year, in hopes others will follow his lead.
Father Gouin was awarded the CSA medallion during the weekend Masses on July 15-16. Dee Benjamin, American Martyrs parishioner and Legacy of Faith board member, presented the award to Father Gouin.
Father Gouin’s parish assignments in the Diocese of Marquette: Associate pastor of St. Joseph and St. Patrick, Hancock; American Martyrs, Kingsford, and St. Mary Parish in Norway. Co-pastor of Resurrection, Menominee and Mission of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Sobieski. Pastor of Holy Redeemer, Menominee and American Martyrs, Kingsford. He also served as ordinary confessor of the Carmelite Monastery in Iron Mountain and dean of the Iron Mountain Deanery.
The Catholic Service Award is a program of Legacy of Faith, which is an endowment foundation of the Diocese of Marquette. The award was created in 2006 in the spirit and intent of the endowment to preserve and foster the Catholic faith in the Upper Peninsula. Nominations for the annual award are due by May 1 of each year. For more information, contact Terri Gadzinski at (906) 227-9108 or visit www.LegacyOfFaith.net.
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