March 2007 - Father Gerry Kleba is honored as Hand of Help's Person of the Year
On March 2, 2007, Father Gerry Kleba was honored as Hand of Help’s Person of the Year for 2007! An awards celebration was held at Washington University’s Catholic Student Center in honor of Father Gerry and his lifelong commitment to helping others.
The evening began with a prayer service in the newly renovated chapel at the Catholic Student Center. Sister Louise Lears of St. Cronan Church presided and Father Richard Creason of Holy Trinity Church preached. The music ministers of St. Cronan Church provided music for the service. A wine and cheese social and dinner followed the prayer service, and guests were given the opportunity to congratulate Father Gerry and socialize with others at the celebration.
The evening included a wonderful program that celebrated Father’s Gerry life, work, and ministry. Jim Grimaud, a lifelong seminary friend of Father Gerry, served as the evening’s M.C., sharing stories about Father Gerry and his life. A variety of speakers honored Father Gerry and shared how their lives have changed from knowing and working with him. Speakers included Carol Wade of the Christian Appalachian Project; Brother Fred Buerman, OSB, a lifelong friend of Father Gerry and Executive Director of Hand of Help; Monsignor Francis Blood, Director of the Archdiocesan Mission Office; and Pete Cerneka, board member of Hand of Help and Social Justice Coordinator at Washington University’s Catholic Student Center. "Fr. Gerry has been an excellent role model for me,” Pete said. “He is a living example of how to live a life of true joy by being committed to others. I will forever be thankful to Hand of Help and Brother Fred for connecting Father Gerry with my students."
Brother Fred and Gabriel Hulsey, president of the Hand of Help advisory board, presented Father Gerry with an “angel” award, honoring his work as an “angel on earth.” Father Gerry was given the opportunity to share stories with his guests and to speak about working in various parishes within the Archdiocese of Saint Louis, his ministry to the inner city, and his lifelong commitment to helping others.
Father Gerry believes that because Hand of Help ministers to young adults, that the organization does its part to “encourage and fundraise for things to happen.” It helps young adults to become involved in service and the community. “Lots of young people are eager to respond to ministry and service,” Father Gerry said. “However this may happen – the Gospel needs to be lived and preached.” Father Gerry also pointed out the importance of service opportunities for young adults, particularly the recent trip to Malawi, Africa that Washington University’s Catholic Student Center participated in. “Their mission experiences are transforming their lives,” Father Gerry said of the students.
Laura Riley, an UMSL student who recently traveled with the group to Malawi, joined Father Gerry and shared some of her own experiences from the trip, showing how Hand of Help really is a “hand of help” in supporting young people in service and prayer. “The mutual dialogue between Father Gerry and Laura was Hand of Help at its best,” Brother Fred said. “Giving young adults encouragement and support, along with learning from them, is what Hand of Help is all about.” Other Washington University students who traveled to Malawi joined Laura in taking a bow at the end of the program.
Monsignor Don Schramm of St. Charles Borremeo Church gave a final blessing on Father Gerry and all guests at the conclusion of the celebration.
All proceeds from the evening will go toward service and formation scholarships for students at the Catholic Student Center.
A Special Message from Monsignor Francis Blood,
Director of the Archdiocesan Mission Office
“I feel blessed to know Father Gerry Kleba as a priest friend and member of the same priests’ support group since my return from my assignment in Bolivia as part of the Latin America Apostolate. Father Gerry has a wonderful gift for bringing people together from various communities in which he has served as a priest these past 40 years in the Archdiocese of Saint Louis. It was Father Gerry Kleba who introduced me to Brother Fred Buerman, OSB, our contact with Hand of Help. Having met Brother Fred through Father Gerry, I was inspired to contact the Newman Center of Washington University. That was a natural fit for the goals of Hand of Help as well as the mission immersion trips that Pete Cerneka has been organizing with students from Washington University. Congratulations, Father Gerry, for being Hand of Help’s Man of the Year!”
About Father Gerry
Father Gerry Kleba was raised in south Saint Louis and was ordained to the priesthood on March 11, 1967. His 40 years of service have included serving at Sainte Genevieve Parish in Sainte Genevieve; Visitation Parish; St. Bridget Parish; St. Joseph Parish in Clayton; Immaculate Conception Parish in Dardenne Prairie; and St. Cronan Parish, where he currently serves as pastor. Father Gerry also taught at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana.
Most of Father Gerry’s years as a priest have focused on inner city ministry and bringing communities together. He is a blessing to St. Cronan Parish and to Hand of Help, and serves as a wonderful role model for the Church and the community.
About Hand of Help
Hand of Help is a mission society dedicated to mentoring young adults in prayer, service, and community. Providing outreach to young adults (ages 18 to 35) at colleges and parishes across the country, forming mentors, and guiding young people in their spiritual lives is at the heart of Hand of Help’s vision.
Hand of Help’s work is inspired by the Benedictine tradition. Hospitality, stability, work, balance, common sense, participation in community, an active prayer life, and an emphasis on following the teachings of Jesus Christ all play a role in truly being a “hand of help” to others around the world.
Hand of Help’s executive director is Brother Fred Buerman, OSB. Brother Fred, along with an advisory board and a network of church, business, and service mentors, guide Hand of Help’s ministry. Holy Trinity Monastery, a small Olivetan Benedictine community located in St. David, Arizona serves as Hand of Help’s spiritual base, while San Jose State University in San Jose, California acts as its service base.
The Saint Louis Archdiocesan Mission Office is proud to include Hand of Help in the 2007 Missionary Plan of Cooperation. CLICK HERE to visit our MPC page!
Archdiocese of St. Louis: Mission Office
20 Archbishop May Drive, Saint Louis, MO 63119 • missions@archstl.org
Special Events and Pictures
On March 2, 2007, Father Gerry Kleba was honored as Hand of Help’s Person of the Year for 2007! An awards celebration was held at Washington University’s Catholic Student Center in honor of Father Gerry and his lifelong commitment to helping others. 
The evening included a wonderful program that celebrated Father’s Gerry life, work, and ministry. Jim Grimaud, a lifelong seminary friend of Father Gerry, served as the evening’s M.C., sharing stories about Father Gerry and his life. A variety of speakers honored Father Gerry and shared how their lives have changed from knowing and working with him. Speakers included Carol Wade of the Christian Appalachian Project; Brother Fred Buerman, OSB, a lifelong friend of Father Gerry and Executive Director of Hand of Help; Monsignor Francis Blood, Director of the Archdiocesan Mission Office; and Pete Cerneka, board member of Hand of Help and Social Justice Coordinator at Washington University’s Catholic Student Center. "Fr. Gerry has been an excellent role model for me,” Pete said. “He is a living example of how to live a life of true joy by being committed to others. I will forever be thankful to Hand of Help and Brother Fred for connecting Father Gerry with my students." 
Brother Fred and Gabriel Hulsey, president of the Hand of Help advisory board, presented Father Gerry with an “angel” award, honoring his work as an “angel on earth.” Father Gerry was given the opportunity to share stories with his guests and to speak about working in various parishes within the Archdiocese of Saint Louis, his ministry to the inner city, and his lifelong commitment to helping others. 
Laura Riley, an UMSL student who recently traveled with the group to Malawi, joined Father Gerry and shared some of her own experiences from the trip, showing how Hand of Help really is a “hand of help” in supporting young people in service and prayer. “The mutual dialogue between Father Gerry and Laura was Hand of Help at its best,” Brother Fred said. “Giving young adults encouragement and support, along with learning from them, is what Hand of Help is all about.” Other Washington University students who traveled to Malawi joined Laura in taking a bow at the end of the program. 
Father Gerry Kleba was raised in south Saint Louis and was ordained to the priesthood on March 11, 1967. His 40 years of service have included serving at Sainte Genevieve Parish in Sainte Genevieve; Visitation Parish; St. Bridget Parish; St. Joseph Parish in Clayton; Immaculate Conception Parish in Dardenne Prairie; and St. Cronan Parish, where he currently serves as pastor. Father Gerry also taught at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. 
Hand of Help is a mission society dedicated to mentoring young adults in prayer, service, and community. Providing outreach to young adults (ages 18 to 35) at colleges and parishes across the country, forming mentors, and guiding young people in their spiritual lives is at the heart of Hand of Help’s vision.