Catholic Extension presents Lumen Christi Award; St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic is honored
By Emily Booker
Catholic Extension Society presented Sister Mary Lisa Renfer, RSM, medical director of the St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic (SMLC), with the Lumen Christi Award on Oct. 30. The award is Catholic Extension’s highest honor, given to people who “radiate and reveal the light of Christ present in the communities where they serve.”
The award was presented during SMLC’s annual volunteer appreciation Mass and luncheon at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Lenoir City.
Bishop Mark Beckman celebrated the Mass. Catholic Extension president Father Jack Wall and Father David Boettner concelebrated. Deacon Sean Smith, chancellor of the Diocese of Knoxville, served as deacon of the Word and Eucharist, and SMLC volunteer Bruce Fisher gave the first reading.
In his homily, Bishop Beckman spoke of entering through the narrow gate, which is mentioned in Matthew 7:13.
“The narrow gate could be expressed in some ways as the small way of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. It’s the way of love,” he said.
St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic volunteers are joined by Diocese of Knoxville supporters for a group photo on Oct. 30 at St. Thomas the Apostle Church. (Photo Emily Booker)
He reminded the SMLC volunteers that their work with the clinic brings them opportunities to encounter people and show them love.
“To be aware that every single person we encounter is an opportunity to love the Lord by loving strangers who we meet is really the small way of St. Thérèse, the narrow gate. Our medical clinic, the persons who come to you week by week, day by day, when you meet them, you meet them at a moment of profound need. Your attention to them, your love for them, your presence to them, your medical care for them, bring the light of Christ to them.”
Bishop Beckman acknowledged Sister Mary Lisa and the work of St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic in encountering others and being a face of Christ to them.
“Sister Mary Lisa, today you will receive the Lumen Christi Award. It represents the beautiful, good work that you’ve done in cooperation with so many others to bring the light of Christ to the unloved, the persons who need that love the most. Thank you for doing that,” the bishop said.
“I want to thank all of you volunteers and workers of the clinic. You, too, in all your different ways, bring the light of Christ to those most in need of it.”
He also thanked Catholic Extension Society for its work in supporting U.S. mission dioceses.
“Catholic Extension does incredibly good work throughout the country and beyond,” he said. “You are helping people all over the place bring the light of Christ. Thank you for all of the good work that you are doing.”
Sharing the light of Christ
Several representatives from Catholic Extension Society were present to honor Sister Mary Lisa as she received the Lumen Christi Award at the volunteer luncheon following Mass.
Father Wall spoke on the work of Sister Mary Lisa and the St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic. He noted how Sister Mary Lisa and the Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Mich., are following a long tradition of women religious offering medical care to those in need.
“We’ve been given a beautiful gift through the American experience in terms of health care, and we know it’s been from women religious. It goes all the way back. The whole health-care system, all the questions about good care, who started it? Who were the driving forces? Women religious,” he said.
“They created the American health-care system, were the heart of it. And you have been blessed here in Knoxville with a wonderful community of Sisters of Mercy. Mercy. Pope Francis keeps trying to remind us that mercy is what we’re meant to be, the mercy of God. We’re healing in a world of division and bringing health and wholeness to people’s lives.”
Father Wall said the St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic is a continuation of this tradition, a “community of light” that “lifts up the poorest of the poor among us.”
He said Sister Mary Lisa is a person who recognizes the light of Christ in everyone she meets, and she encourages those around her to recognize that light and share it with others.
“The movement of St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic is truly light to the world,” Father Wall said.
Lumen Christi means “light of Christ,” and Father Wall recalled the beautiful symbolism in the paschal candle at Easter Vigil.
“To be part of the Easter Vigil is one of the most holy things you can do. If you only do it once in your life, take time and really experience that moment of going into a darkened church on the night before Easter and lighting one candle—one candle—and the one candle breaks the darkness. Just the one candle. We believe that one candle, that one light, is the Christ. And then from that one candle—the Christ—many candles are lit, each one of us lighting from one candle. It’s one light. It’s the light of Christ. It’s the light of God in the world,” Father Wall pointed out.
He noted that this is how we share love and mercy—from the light each of us receives, we spread it to many others, connecting us all to the same, one light of Christ.
“We’re here today to proclaim that that’s what we’ve experienced, what this light of Christ can mean to the world and into your community. We’ve been given a wonderful group of women who have chosen as their life vocation to keep their eyes fixated on this mystery of the power of God’s light, God’s energy, God’s light. This is meant to be a movement, a powerful movement, that truly transforms the world.
“There is a beautiful song that is sung at the Easter Vigil: ‘This is the light of Christ, thanks be to God. Live in the light of Christ, thanks be to God. We are the light of Christ, thanks be to God.’ Sister Mary Lisa, you are the light of Christ, thanks be to God.”
He then presented Sister Mary Lisa with the award. There was a large, enthusiastic round of applause.
“This beautiful cross that symbolizes Christ as our light,” Father Wall said as he handed Sister Mary Lisa the crystal cross award. “I hope it continues to inspire you, because you do it so beautifully for all of us.”
Sister Mary Lisa Renfer speaks at the SMLC volunteer luncheon after receiving the Lumen Christi Award. (Photo Emily Booker)
Sister Mary Lisa thanked Catholic Extension and everyone present.
“Thank you so much to everyone. Thank you to Catholic Extension for being here and supporting the Church in mission. It’s been beautiful to get to know some of you and have you with us. The work that you do is really precious. Thank you for that and know of our prayers for all of you.
“Thank you to the diocese and Bishop Beckman for supporting our ministry of St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic. And to Father Boettner for his guidance for our ministry. To all our volunteers and staff, it’s such a blessing to be with all of you. And thank you to all of my Sisters for being here with me and your support. Truly our whole community contributes to this clinic.”
In accepting the award, she reflected on how the St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic offers medical care and also strives to love and walk with its patients.
“We see the light of Christ in one another. We see the light of Christ of those we serve along with. We see the light of Christ in the patients that we serve. And the hope and prayer are that we all follow that light to its source, to come to know Christ in a deeper way, to know of His love for each of you and to let that sustain you in moments that seem dark or confusing, to know that that light will never leave you, that the light of Christ is always there,” the Sister and physician said.
Sister Mary Lisa recalled a particular patient who came to the clinic in a dark place.
“It was a huge experience of the Lord’s providence and mercy at work when I came to meet this woman. She came in; she had lost her medical insurance, she had some major medical issues, and she was in a place of severe depression, so severe that she had attempted suicide, so very stark,” she said.
In the woman’s suicide attempt, the gun misfired, which saved her life.
“She had this whole 180 in that moment of suddenly realizing that she was here for a reason, that she was brought there by the Lord, and that she was worthy to live and worthy of care. So, she came to our clinic with that, and I think it was this profound moment for all of us caring for her.
“What she experienced in an intense way in that moment is what I think we need to remember in reality for all of us, that we are here for a reason, that we come together for a reason, and that the Lord’s mercy is holding us in being, and His love is what sustains and guides us. She was able to stay with us and come to a place of peace, come to a place of being treated for her medical conditions, thanks be to God. The Lord had held her.
“I think what I want to remember today and for each of us to remember is that you are here for a reason, and what you do is important, every one of you.”
Similar to Bishop Beckman’s homily, Sister Mary Lisa noted that the Lord’s light shines in our small actions and everyday encounters.
“It’s the little actions, the little moments that no one knows about or sees, but the Lord knows and sees. That’s how we receive that light of Christ—we receive it in the sacraments, we receive it from one another, and then we’re able to share that with others. So, thank you to each of you for being the light of Christ to me and to our community. I am so grateful for each of you,” she shared.
Sister Mary Lisa expressed her thanks for her Sisters of Mercy community and the St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic community who have committed themselves to serving others.
“Thank you again to each of you. I’m so blessed to be a part of this, that my community has sent me to be a part of this ministry. I pray that we can continue to serve well together and to bring that love of Christ to each person that we meet.”
As the Lumen Christi Award recipient, Sister Mary Lisa received a $25,000 grant to support the mission of the clinic. The Diocese of Knoxville, as the nominating diocese, received an additional $25,000 grant. Bishop Beckman said the full $50,000 will go to St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic.
Sister Mary Lisa said that the funds would be used for patient care, including covering labs, medications, medical supplies, and other needs as they arise.
“Having Sister Mary Lisa recognized for being the light of Christ to our patients, staff, and volunteers, and the communities that we serve by Catholic Extension Society, is such an honor and testament to her work with the clinic and her vocation as a Religious Sister of Mercy,” said Martin Vargas, SMLC executive director.
“She is an amazing witness to faith and works as she lives the Gospel and is the face of Christ to our patients. I’m so grateful and inspired to work alongside her as she delivers the healing ministry of Jesus Christ to those in need in East Tennessee. She truly reflects the light of Christ in her work and our ministry,” Mr. Vargas noted.
Thanking volunteers
Several SMLC volunteers were also honored at the volunteer luncheon.
Mr. Vargas thanked all the volunteers for their work with the clinic.
“You are amazing. Your smiles reflect the face of Christ to our patients and each other,” he said.
“Today we’re here to celebrate you and the impact you make in the lives of our patients and the communities where they live.”
Gail Buckley, Diana Curtis, Patricia Gould, Sandy Scott, Beth Williamson, and Toni Wolff were awarded their five-year service pins. Mary Frances Bridges, Deacon Gil Campos, Ruth Ann Cope, Bob Nevil, Mary Ann Toenisson, and Shelia Yarborough received their 10-year pins.
Diana Curtis and Tom Thornton received Volunteer of the Year awards.
“Diana is a nurse and translator who works with our patients at the sites, supports our physicians, and behind the scenes calls both English and Spanish-speaking patients with their lab results,” Mr. Vargas said.
“Tom is generous with his time and talent as a CDL certified driver of our clinic. Not only has he joined our crew that drives the clinic to the field, but he has been instrumental in its maintenance, helping us get to get it to our mechanic for necessary repairs.”
Kat Dull received the Judy Award, named for the late Judy Schmidt, a nurse volunteer and the founder of the SMLC’s volunteer corps.
“Kat was chosen [as the Judy Award winner] based on the recognition of her fellow volunteers. … She truly reflects the face of Jesus Christ to our patients,” Mr. Vargas said.
St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic medical director Sister Mary Lisa Renfer, RSM, left, SMLC volunteer coordinator Brianna Vinyard, second from right, and SMLC executive director Martin Vargas, right, recognize St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic 10-year volunteers Bob Nevil, second from left, and Mary Ann Toenisson, third from left, during the Oct. 30 volunteer luncheon. (Photo Emily Booker)
Together, the SMLC volunteers had logged 10,511 hours of service in the year to date. Mr. Vargas called it “the single largest source of support” of the clinic.
“With you and our partners, we are realizing a vision to provide a village of wraparound care to meet the needs of our patients and the communities we serve,” he said.
Mr. Vargas also expressed his thanks to Bishop Beckman, Father Boettner, and Catholic Extension Society for their presence and their support of the clinic.
Bishop Beckman also spoke of how the St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic reaches out to the needy and reflects the light of Christ. He expressed his thanks to the staff and volunteers who go above and beyond to show compassion and care to the patients they serve.
“I really do believe that the mobile medical clinic brings light to the folks who need light the most. There are so many volunteers and staff members here today. Thank you for helping to bring the light of Christ to others. That is truly a gift.
“I referenced that little way of St. Thérèse of Lisieux in my homily. I think the message is we are called to love each person who we encounter on the path of life. Who has God put in front of me today? Lord, help me to love that person. I love the fact that the mobile clinic does that in such a beautiful, individualized way.”
Mr. Vargas shared how the clinic had grown in the past year and the number of lives impacted by its work.
SMLC recently added two new clinic sites in Crossville and Pigeon Forge. The clinic is now in the field 50 percent of the time, serving 10 different clinic locations throughout each month.
In 2023, SMLC added 226 new patients and made 1,371 patient visits.
Mr. Vargas said he expects that by the end of 2024, SMLC will have more than 500 patients.
He noted that the clinic is particularly proud of “graduating” 15 percent of its patients. This means a patient’s situation has improved to where they can gain health insurance, thus accessing more medical-care options.
“This is something particularly for you to celebrate, as you walked with them in their journey from uninsured to insured,” he told the volunteers. “This is how to change lives.”
Mr. Vargas also expressed a particular thanks to the translators who assist Spanish- and Vietnamese-speaking patients. The percentage of Hispanic patients rose from 25 percent to 35 percent in the past year.
To learn more about St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic and its volunteer opportunities, visit SMLCares.com.
Walking alongside neighbors
Catholic Extension Society serves 87 of the 196 dioceses in the United States, with the goal of connecting poor and remote Catholic communities with financial support, educational partnerships, and infrastructure.
Father Wall said Catholic Extension accompanies dioceses and ministries in their mission.
“We just come in and say, ‘Can we walk with you?’” he said.
Father Tom Charters, GHM, standing left, pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Erwin, on Oct. 29 shows Catholic Extension Society president Father Jack Wall, center, the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene in Erwin. Joining them as a photographer takes their picture is Brother Corey Soignier, GHM, who serves with Father Charters in Erwin. In the background is Unicoi County Hospital, which was overrun by Hurricane Helene floodwaters. (Photo Emily Booker)
While in East Tennessee for the Lumen Christi Award ceremony, the delegation from Catholic Extension visited St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Erwin. Erwin was one of the hardest-hit areas in Tennessee by Hurricane Helene. St. Michael the Archangel Parish lost four parishioners who died in the flooding.
The Catholic Extension delegation met with Glenmary Father Tom Charters, pastor of St. Michael the Archangel, and Glenmary Brother Corey Soignier, who shared how the Unicoi County parish had been responding to the disaster, offering physical and spiritual support to the community.
The Catholic Extension team also visited several places in Unicoi County and surveyed the flood damage and rebuilding efforts.
In the immediate aftermath, St. Michael the Archangel rallied to set up a distribution center, providing food, water, batteries, and other needed items to those affected by the storm. It also held rosaries and prayer services for the missing and met with members of the community who were grieving.
“It’s was hard,” Father Charters said. “It was just hard.”
Yet the Erwin community rallied together to support one another.
“I’ve been extremely pleased with the response of the people in the community, and the Hispanic community especially. We had an ecumenical prayer service in the town a week after this happened. … It was a beautiful prayer service, very powerful,” Father Charters said.
One month after the storm, the community was still working to get back to a sense of normalcy. On the day of Catholic Extension’s visit, Oct. 29, Unicoi County students were returning to school for the first time since the storm. The next day, Interstate 26, which connects Tennessee and North Carolina through Erwin, partially reopened. A section of Interstate 40 between Newport and Ashville, N.C., remains closed to traffic.
“We have parishioners from North Carolina, and they just got their water and electricity the other day,” Father Charters said.
Several parishioners were on site at the parish distribution center sorting donated items that had arrived. Father Charters said donations had poured in from all over the country.
St. Michael the Archangel also is helping clean out and restore a few of the homes that experienced severe flooding. Catholic Charities of East Tennessee, Glenmary Home Missioners, and Catholic Extension Society are all helping with support and resources as the parish reaches out to the community as it rebuilds.
Father Wall said the parish was truly an example of walking with others.
“May God continue to bless this community,” he said. “He’s blessed it with great beauty. He has also blessed it with great and beautiful people who continue to support and do the great ministry of mercy to those who are suffering.”
The role Catholic Extension Society has played in the Diocese of Knoxville is greatly appreciated.
“Over the past 17 years, Catholic Extension Society has provided more than $3 million in assistance to the Diocese of Knoxville in support of seminarian education, the work of our religious Sisters, the building of new churches, with our various ministries and programs of outreach to the poor, as well as programs of educational and leadership development and much more. Where would we be without the assistance of the Catholic Extension Society?” said Paul Simoneau, Diocese of Knoxville vice chancellor.
