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Shrine Missionary Lady
Turns 100 !!
Betty
Lawler celebrated her 100th birthday thi s year! She is also celebrating
over thirty years as the Shrine “Missionary Lady”, a title former
director Fr. Peter J. Krebs, S.T., anointed her with as a one-person
fundraiser for the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity.
Every weekend Betty sets
up a “sale table” outside the Shrine Gift Shop, inviting visitors to
purchase reconditioned jewelry and religious items donated by people
familiar with her work. She donates every dollar to the mission work,
setting higher goals each year!
Betty came by her
avocation through the late Brother Walter, who for many years operated
the gift shop. As a member of the Bloomfield Guild, Betty volunteered
her services, and learned very quickly from her mentor to never throw
away any donated items. He knew there was a use for every item she
found. She began collecting items, and painstakingly restored jewelry,
rosary beads and religious items. When she discovered there was a
market for them, she began selling them weekly. That was in 1973, and
buoyed by the growth of the Shrine, support from the priests, and sales
from regular worshippers, Betty has continued to operate her one-woman
market since then. She has no intention of giving it up…100 or not.
“As long as I stay healthy, and as long as I have someone to bring me
here and take me home every week, I will continue it forever.” And
forever is the hope of her loyal friends, supporters who pray for and
continually salute our Missionary Lady. |
