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Deborah Wagner
Catholic Parish Recipient
Saint Dominic Church, Northfield, MN
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From Karen Lyons
youth formation committee member, Saint Dominic Church
During the summer of 2006, I volunteered to be a parent chaperone on the annual, youth mission
trip that Deborah Wagner has planned for several years. It was during this trip that I came to fully
realize the tremendous impact Deb has made on our parish youth. It is really important to her that
the youth get as much as possible out of the experience, and are able to see that they are really
making a difference in someone else's life.
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Deb also requires each teen to volunteer at Feed My Starving Children in Eagan at least two times
a year. She reserves a time slot, coordinates rides, and makes the commitment to help package
meals once a month throughout the year. Several of her family members attend with her each
time. This is no small feat when she and her husband are raising three biological and four adopted
children of their own. After all the careful planning and time consuming fundraising, Deb then
spends hours deciding on groups. Each group will travel together and work together on their site
assignments during the mission trip. She is very mindful of differing personalities when deciding
who will work well together.
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Deborah Wagner accepts the Ambassador of Christ Recognition Award from John Vitek, president of Saint Mary's Press. |
Her goal is
for new connections to be made, and for no one to ever feel left out. Cell phones and iPods aren't
allowed. Group games, singing, and good old-fashioned fun are highly encouraged! After
really long days of painting houses or working with children at Kids' Club, the whole group comes
together every night. We sit in a big circle, and Deb always takes the time for each person to
share something special about their day and to offer a praise to God. It was extremely moving for
me to witness the connections and bonds that were formed throughout the week, and to share in
all the laughter and love. It is diffi cult to put into words, but my sixteen year old has referred to the mission trip as "the highlight of her year."
Mara Mangan
director of faith formation, Saint Dominic Church
Deb knows it is important to "just be there" for the kids, to help them discover how God is working in all aspects of their daily life. She worked hard with our youth committee, parish council, and pastor to bring about a place that our young people could call their own. Through her efforts, the donations of individuals, and a local college, our teens have a place to gather to enjoy board games, ping pong, air hockey, and so on, but most important, to share faith.
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Deborah Wagner with her family, John Vitek, and Fr. Dennis Dempsey. |
During Lent, under the direction of Deb, our youth present the drama The People vs. Judas Iscariot: The Punishment Phase, by Rev. William C. McCord. Set in a courtroom, two lawyers, Justice and Grace, put Judas on trial to determine his punishment for betraying Jesus. Biblical witnesses come forward, the audience is the jury, and the ultimate question is asked: "Should Judas receive justice or mercy?" It is a powerful question that inspires lengthy discussions among the audience "jury members."
As director of faith formation, I depend on Deb Wagner as my teammate in educating and ministering to the needs of our youth. Just as she is there for our young people, she is there for me. God is Love and here at Saint Dominic’s, Love is spelled D-e-b. |
Ayla R. Otto
youth group member, Saint Dominic Church
Deb Wagner has been a big part of my life for almost six years. She’s helped me with so many tough times and knows just what to say to make it better. She lives a very faith-filled life and teaches me how to live mine with faith too. Deb is a great role model. Seeing her with her family at church shows us just how dedicated she is to her faith in God and taking care of her family. As a mother to her kids she teaches them the same things she teaches us, which shows us how to teach others in the same way. |
Click here for answers to frequently asked questions about the AOC nomination process and awards.
To learn more about the Ambassador of Christ Recognition Awards, or to download a nomination package, check out http://www.smp.org/Ambassador. |
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