Peace and justice are so much a part of the life of Cecilia Palange, icm, that she even reminds everyone of how to spell her nickname, “Ceace, like peace.”  She knows every corner of New York City, especially those spots where someone is in need.  Like St. Peter, her life says, “I have neither silver nor gold, but what I do have I share with you—the love of Jesus Christ!” She used to clean tables at  Holy Apostle soup kitchen, but now she tends her corner of the room where she has a display of inspirational literature which she calls “Soul Food.” Each evening she scrutinizes The New York Times for national and international articles relating to peace and justice.  If there is a rally or demonstration any place in The Big Apple, Ceace will be there!

Katie was born and raised in Duluth, Minnesota, the youngest of three children.  “Actually,” she says, “we lived in a wooded, semi-rural area with lots of wildlife such as bears, wolves, and foxes. We camped and fished in the summer, and we went sledding and skiing in the winter.” Katie built up a good set of bike-riding muscles, which have served her well in her missionary assignments.

If you’ve ever been confined to a hospital, you know the value of a visit by the chaplain.  If you were lucky enough to be visited by Clara Kelkermans, you have experienced the best of these ministers.  Clara is a woman of few words, but when she does speak, the words are precious.  Patients have spoken of her patience and understanding.  Clara took up this ministry after many years as an elementary school teacher in Los Angeles, working at County USC Medical Center for fourteen years. When some of the indigent patients were released from the medical center, she would follow up their re-settlement in the city’s less desirable neighborhoods.