Charles and Mary Lee Ingram

- Princeton, Indiana

 

People of Wisdom

Name: Charles and Mary Lee Ingram

Parish: Members of St. Joseph Church, Princeton. We were in the R.C.I.A. class of 2001.

Married, number of children, grandchildren: Married on May 11, 1962, in Mt. Carmel, Ill; two sons and three grandchildren.

Where and when were you born? Charles: In Owensville, Ind., on July 12, 1941. Mary Lee: In Mt. Carmel, Ill., on March 28, 1943.

Tell me three things about yourself that defines who you are: Charles: Faithful, hardworking and devoted to God and my wife. Mary Lee: I have a great sense of humor, and I am a faithful Christian, wife, mother and grandmother.

What led you to convert to the Catholic Church? Charles: We have lived one half block from St. Joseph Church for over 30 years. We always felt a connection to the church. When our oldest son married a Catholic, he joined her church. As we visited them over the years, we always went to church with them. We just felt like we were home. About a year before we started R.C.I.A., I asked my wife what she thought about taking the classes and joining the church. She didn’t believe I was sincere. The next fall she was as ready as I was. I guess the Holy Spirit was leading us this time. Mary Lee: Seven years ago, I was hired as a teaching assistant at St. Joseph School. It soon became my home. Attending Mass with the students and learning with them led me to become Catholic.

What do you like most about being Catholic? Charles: I think it is the people and the readings. They are the same no matter what church you are visiting. I also like celebrating the Eucharist because I truly believe it is the body of Christ. Mary Lee: I feel a closeness to God that I never had before. When we celebrate the Eucharist, it is very real for me.

What is your favorite religious item? Charles: My rosary is made of wood, and we have a small crucifix made of olive wood (I like things made of wood), and of course, my Bible. Mary Lee: A rosary given to me by a student when I joined the Church, and my Bible.

Have you ever experienced a miracle or God’s intervention in your life? Charles: I take Communion to the local nursing homes. One time, as I made my rounds, I found that one of the ladies was in the hospital. It seemed the Lord was telling me to go and see her there. I did, and gave her Communion. Two days later, she passed. It meant so much to me that I was there for her. And the birth of my children was a miracle for me. Mary Lee: Seven years ago, I left a job with the public schools. I had just finished my treatments for breast cancer. I felt it was time for a change. One week before the school started, someone told me about a job at St. Joseph School. I feel that I was led here by the Holy Spirit. It has changed both of our lives.

Describe a time in your life when you had to rely on your faith: Charles: When God called my mother home. Mary Lee: When I was diagnosed with breast cancer. My faith and my family sustained me through treatments and recovery.

Who was your hero or someone you looked up to as a child? Charles: My parents, who both were hard-working farmers. Mary Lee: My mother. She was a single mother during the ’40s. She worked very hard to give me more than I needed, and more love than I could ever imagine.

Who is your hero now? Charles: My wife. Mary Lee: My husband. He’s lived with me for 42 years . . . that’s a true hero.

How did you meet? Mary Lee: I love telling this story. Charles was engaged to my best friend. He used to come over to our house and watch television with my parents while my friend and I did our homework. When they broke up, he still came to visit, and here we are 42 years later!

Where was your first job? What did it pay? Charles: Working on a neighbor’s farm for $35 a week (that was a six-day week, too). Mary Lee: A carhop at a drive-in for 50 cents an hour. I still remember the day I got a $1 tip.

What are you or have you been involved with at St. Joseph? Charles: I am on the building and grounds committee. I take Communion to the nursing homes in our area. We are ushers and greeters. Mary Lee: I am still a teaching assistant at St. Joseph School, but I plan to retire at the end of the school year. I serve on the Spiritual Life Commission.

How else do you keep active? Charles: I am a member and officer of the K of C Lodge. I work part-time for the County Council on Aging. I enjoy working with wood. I am currently working on a large wooden rosary. Mary Lee: I am recording secretary for the D of I. I enjoy my grandchildren and try to go to their scouting and school events as much as possible.

What’s the best advice you can give someone else? Charles: Keep your faith and pray daily. Mary Lee: Listen for God’s voice speaking to you. Sometimes he whispers. Believe it when you hear it.