Benedictine sisters to honor three women as ‘Angels of Grace’
By Mary Ann Garber
Three women who have made distinguished contributions that help others through their community service in central Indiana will be honored as “Angels of Grace” during the Sisters of St. Benedict’s fifth annual awards celebration on Sept. 29 in Indianapolis.
During the program, the Benedictines will honor Indianapolis Marion County Police Department Sgt. Jo Ann Moore of Indianapolis with the Angel Gabriel Award for being a messenger who spreads hope and cheer to others; St. Roch parishioner Bonnie Schott of Indianapolis with the Angel Raphael Award for being a companion to those in need of help; and Second Starts founder Sally Schrock of Indianapolis with the Angel Michael Award for being a defender of the dignity and goodness of others.
The fundraiser benefits the sister’s Benedict Inn Retreat and Conference Center ministry adjacent to Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove.
A style show and luncheon will precede the awards ceremony at Primo Banquet and Conference Center, 2615 National Ave., in Indianapolis. WTHR Channel 13 city beat reporter Mary Milz will serve as emcee.
Sgt. Moore and her husband, retired IMPD Lt. Spencer Moore, lost their 29-year-old son, David, also a police officer, who was shot in the line of duty on Jan. 23, 2011, and died three days later.
In the midst of their grief, the Moores arranged for many of their son’s organs to be donated to people in critical need of life-saving transplants.
They also requested that the court show mercy to Thomas Hardy of Indianapolis, who pleaded guilty to their son’s murder, with a sentence of life in prison without parole rather than the death penalty.
“Recognizing that forgiveness is a process and comforted by the strength of her son, Jo Ann has asked everyone to find it in their heart to forgive Hardy,” said Benedictine Sister Mary Luke Jones, dirctor of donor development at the monastery. “Through her public response to a very private matter, Jo Ann … has reminded us that life is precious, a gift from God, and not ours to take.”
A 1975 graduate of the former Our Lady of Grace Academy, Moore and her husband also established the David S. Moore Foundation dedicated to community service.
Schott is a busy mother of nine children and grandmother who has volunteered for hundreds of Church and community projects during the last 39 years.
“She is the go-to person when a job needs to be done,” Sister Mary Luke said. “Using all her resources to get what people need, Bonnie puts everyone before herself. Christmas time finds Bonnie especially busy as she fields calls from others who want to help the needy. … She finds a way to secure clothing, toys, gifts and food to make spirits bright.
“Bonnie has organized many mercy meals for the families of the sick or following a funeral Mass,” Sister Mary Luke said. “… She considers herself to be blessed beyond measure and fortunate to help others.”
Concern for poor people, especially the 15,000 homeless people in Indianapolis, led Schrock to found and volunteer for Second Starts, a nonprofit organization based at the Carmel United Methodist Church in Carmel, Ind.
Second Starts provides basic housewares free to people who have been homeless and need help starting over.
“Sally receives no payment for her selfless work,” Sister Mary Luke said. “With the help of volunteers who sort, shop and donate, … Sally has made a difference in the lives of hundreds of people.”
(The registration fee is $35 per person or $245 for a table of eight before the Sept. 17 deadline. After that date, call the Benedict Inn at 317-788-7581 for information about any available seating.) †