The year 2020 may have put a pause on many normalcies, but it did not stop Tricia Manuel, Maple Lake resident and parishioner at Church of St. Timothy, from keeping her community thriving. Manuel put her creative hat on and went to work revamping parish events. She will be honored for her self-less service with Catholic United Financial’s Volunteer of the Year Award. Tricia Manuel was nominated by local Catholic United members and selected by popular vote. An outstanding number of people from Maple Lake, surrounding towns, and even outside of Minnesota went online or called in to show their support and gratitude for all that she has done.
Manuel is known locally as the owner of The Costume Shoppe, and nationally as the clown Pricilla Mooseburger. At St. Timothy’s Catholic Church she is known as a dedicated, giving, kind, joyful, hard-working, and very faithful volunteer and person. She gives of her time without drawing attention to herself and wanting any praise or gratitude, and she always does so with such a joyful, energetic, and faithful spirit.
This year, Manuel spearheaded a noon parking lot mass and did all of the organization to make sure that people could receive the sacraments amidst the pandemic. She also served as fundraiser chair for the annual parish festival (turned drive-thru) and made sure everyone had a Thanksgiving meal. To help ensure that no one would miss out this year, Manuel called upon parishioners to donate $15 per dinner and then — with the help of a local caterer, volunteers, and friends — delivered meals to 45 homebound and eight families in need.
“It is her joyful, faithful, energetic, humble spirit in which she volunteers and especially seeking to reach out to those who were affected by the pandemic and being a light to them in so many ways that makes her most worthy of this award,” said Father John Meyer of St. Timothy’s.
The Volunteer of the Year Award is an honor created by Catholic United to recognize a Catholic community member – whether a member of Catholic United or not – whose superlative service serves as a shining light of selflessness.
The Volunteer of the Year Award is an honor presented by Catholic United Financial to recognize an individual who, through example and accomplishment, provided outstanding volunteer service to his or her community during the past calendar year.
The purpose of this award is to recognize those that have gone that extra “mile” in volunteer service (i.e., meals on wheels, hospital work, visiting shut-ins, etc.). Through their tireless volunteer efforts, those around them have benefited significantly. These are people who rarely say, “No”, and are always willing to lend a hand.
Catholic United Financial will present a check for $5,000 in the name of the Volunteer of the Year to the honoree’s Catholic parish, and a $500 check will also be awarded to the honoree.
Questions? Contact the Member Engagement for clarification:
1-800-568-6670
engage@catholicunited.org
The winner of the Volunteer of the Year will be determined by popular vote by the public through the Catholic United website from May 9 to May 23 of 2021.
Announcement of the winner will be made on Catholic United’s social media accounts before May 31, 2021. Click on your preferred platform below to follow Catholic United.
Presentation of the award will be conducted at the Catholic United Financial Triennial Conference and Leadership Symposium in August 2021. The winner will also be announced in Catholic United publications such as Our Catholic Journey magazine, in the JoinMe newsletter for volunteers in our Giving Network, and on the Catholic United website.
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