John and Mary Bartol
John and Mary Bartol call West Bend, WI, home during most of the year with the exception of the winter months when they reside in Chandler, Arizona. This couple was united in marriage on May 3, 1975. John was born in Gile, Wisconsin, to Peter and Corrine Bartol. After serving in the Air Force and Marine Corps, John worked for 28 years in State Law Enforcement. Mary was born in West Bend, Wisconsin, to John and Lorine Knoeck. She worked as a bookkeeper and payroll clerk for the West Bend School District for 13 years.
The Bartols had the opportunity to go to the Vicariate of Taiwan to teach English to the Chinese speaking sisters for six months. In preparation for this, the USA Province sent John and Mary for an intensive summer course at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. The TESL Course-Teaching English as a Second Language gave them the confidence and tools to take on this ministry for the sisters. The great hospitality and love they received from the sisters in Taiwan and the people of the island was life changing for them.
“I gained a knowledge and appreciation for missionaries and their work and dedication I could not otherwise have imagined,” Mary said. Despite the hardships they found a real joy in the Gospels fully lived in the people they served. “This training and experience was something we have been able to continue using in our winter home in Arizona with immigrants and refugees,” John said.
John and Mary were also invited to attend the Sisters Congress in Hegne, Germany, to make a presentation before them on their associate relationship. They were asked what motivated them to become Holy Cross Associates and what their experience has been over the years. They had the opportunity to meet some associates from Germany and hear what was being done in other Provinces and Vicariates.
John has reached out in their parish in West Bend, Wisconsin, as a lay minister of community, ongoing committee work, teaching High School Religious classes, Catholic grade school volunteer and tuition assistance at both their parish and sponsoring a student of their twinning parish in Honduras, TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language.)
Mary has reached out in her parish as a CCD Teacher, Catholic grade school volunteer, Communion Minister, committee work, spearheading fundraisers, elderly ministry, prayer group, Catholic school tuition assistance and sister parish tuition assistance. She has worked with the Holy Cross community doing committee work, Task Force member, and Co-director of Associates for two terms
The Bartols have also provided home hospitality to Holy Cross community and parish members, offering their home for meetings and retreats.
