MISSION LETTERS THROUGHOUT THE YEARS
Since its founding in 1955 by Msgr. Anthony Brouwers, the Lay Mission-Helpers Association has sent over 700 lay people to the missions. Single men and women, married couples and families have served in 36 different countries throughout the world. In honor of our 50th anniversary we are sharing a few of their stories. More stories will be added, so make sure to visit our site again.


YVONNE GEHRING |
CLASS OF 1958, SUDAN

Yvonne Gehring was in the third group of LMH’ers sent out, the class of 1958. She was a 30-year-old convert to Catholicism who was gung-ho to be involved in the Church. When a friend, Margaret Woodson, introduced her to the program, one that included overseas mission work (a big plus), Yvonne was hooked—to go out and teach all nations.
CONRAD AND HELEN TIMPE |
CLASS OF 1964, MALAWI

Conrad and Helen Timpe, who were moved by their sense of good fortune to share their gifts with others less fortunate, decided when they were in college that they wanted to do missionary work someday. After paying off their student loans, they moved to California and, when they were 29, read an article on LMH in their parish bulletin.

MARY HELEN (McLAREN) BLOCK |
CLASS OF 1967, MALAWI

At age 23, Mary Helen McLaren was teaching in an elementary school in Cypress, CA, when LMH’ers Bill and Jean Pawek came to give a mission talk at her home parish, St. Cyprian’s in Lakewood, and promote the Lay Mission-Helpers Association.
GERALD CAFFREY, CMF |
CLASS OF 1966, TANZANIA

From his mid-twenties on, Gerald Caffrey felt a need to serve the Church. This was expressed in different ways. He became involved in apostolic work in parish programs in the in Secular Franciscans. One Saturday morning Juan Alvarado invited Jerry to accompany him to photograph a LMH event.

LUVA COULSON |
CLASS OF 1998, CAMEROON
Luva Coulson had known about the Lay Mission-Helpers Association from its beginnings and had tracked its history through the Tidings. When she retired from teaching, she clipped the Mission Sunday LMH ad and got in touch.
JOYCE ANTRIM-SOS |
CLASS of 1966, Zimbabwe

Twenty-one years old in 1965, Joyce Antrim had dreams of nursing for the Peace Corps or on an Indian reservation.
MARIE CHAPMAN |
Class of 1999, American Samoa

Marie Chapman had always been attracted by the idea of going to serve people in the missions, serving without expecting pay.

FLORENCE BOBLETER |
Class of 1989, Papua New Guinea

When she was 59 years old, Florence Bobleter was looking for a way to spend her last years before retirement doing something significant. 
GERALD & RITA BARRY |
Class of 1971, Papua New Guinea

Rita and Gerald Barry were 30 years old in 1970 when they joined the Lay Mission-Helpers Association.

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Lay Mission-Helpers Association, 3435 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1035, Los Angeles, CA  90010
Telephone: (213) 368-1870 • Facsimile: (213) 368-1871
  E-mail:  info@laymissionhelpers.org