Illinois family honored by Secular Franciscans

Published: 2003-12-23

FRANKFURT, Ill. (CNS) -- The Umbdenstock family from Bartlett has been named family of the year by the Secular Franciscan Order in the United States. "Marion and Maurice (Umbdenstock) have six children, who, from their example, learned at an early age the importance and the pleasure of helping the poor," said Jaime Bernardo, co-chairman of the Secular Franciscans' National Family Commission. "The children were always included in their ministries," he added. The Umbdenstocks are also Secular Franciscans and their Chicago-area ministries have ranged from working with inner-city children to volunteering and raising money and supplies for homeless shelters. Bernardo and his wife, Sonia, who co-chairs the family commission, presented the award to the Umbdenstocks in mid-November at the Motherhouse of the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart in Frankfurt.

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