Deacon Jeff Schuetzle, left, received the Clinton Human Rights Commission Award May 22 at Clinton City Hall council chambers. Also pictured are Clinton Mayor Scott Maddasion and Barb and David Franz.
By Barb Arland-Fye
The Catholic Messenger
CLINTON — Members of the L’Arche Clinton community, which provides home and support services for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, were among the well-wishers in a standing-room-only celebration honoring Deacon Jeff Schuetzle with the Clinton Human Rights Commission Award.
“Deacon Jeff, I love you a lot. I want to do what you’re doing,” Robbie, a L’Arche Clinton core member, said during the award ceremony May 22 in Clinton City Hall Council chambers that recognized the deacon’s extensive commitment to serving others.
Deacon Schuetzle, a member of Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace Parish in Clinton who serves that parish and others in Clinton County, deflected compliments and praise. He accepted this year’s human rights award with humor and humility, saying he was told it was “his turn.” He learned he would receive the award about the same time he received a phone call about a Sunday prayer petition: “To God goes the honor and glory.” A reminder of the need to practice humility, he said.
David and Barb Frantz of Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace Parish in Clinton nominated Deacon Schuetzle. “Deacon Jeff does not care what color or creed the people are that he serves,” they wrote in the nomination form. “The reasons for nominating Deacon Jeff are many …”
The couple listed the ways in which he serves others, such as his ministry to the L’Arche Community, his work with athletes with special needs, and the food pantry at Information, Referral & Assistance Services. He takes Communion to people in the hospital and in their homes and works with a committee that provides food each week to people in need at the Victory Center in Clinton, among other activities.
“We’re giving a great award to a wonderful person,” said Clinton Mayor Scott Maddasion, also a Prince of Peace parishioner. He said Deacon Schuetzle has presided at baptisms and witnessed marriages in Maddasion’s family.
“He is always there for us, 23 years as a pastoral ministry volunteer,” Devin Land, community leader of L’Arche Clinton, later told The Catholic Messenger. While the community’s faith-based focus has evolved, “Jeff has adapted beautifully along with us. The joy he has being with our core members is genuine,” Land said. Referring to his ministry with the L’Arche community, Deacon Schuetzle said, “I get to be me.”
He began his acceptance remarks with a “pop quiz,” asking the gathering to call to mind the names of people who achieved fame in a variety of fields, such as entertainment, sports, literature and science. Then he asked the audience to think about people who have made a difference in their lives. “The people who make a difference in our lives aren’t the ones with the most credentials, the most money or the most rewards. They are the ones who care,” Deacon Schuetzle said.
He thanked his wife Dawn for her steadfast support, and their adult children, all of whom serve in helping fields: one, as a teacher; one as a pediatric orthotic specialist, and the youngest, a nurse. Among the others he thanked was Betty Mantsch, a fellow parishioner whom he called his mentor. “Betty taught me that our story is God’s story, the ‘Joy of the Gospel.’ It’s journeying with people and finding out what their story is,” Deacon Schuetzle said.
He concluded, “I accept this honor with humility on behalf of the many unsung workers in the vineyard who day in and day out share their sacred story by giving dignity to whomever they meet.”
