Name: Charles Seifert, permanent deacon for the Diocese of Evansville

Parish: Member of Holy Family Church, Jasper, since 1955

Married, number of children: Married to Geraldine for over 55 years; 11 children, (two boys, nine girls) and 30 grandchildren.

Tell us three things about yourself: I’m family-oriented. I’m not a great one for volunteering (this is probably due to my years in the Army Air Corps), I but seldom say “no” when asked to do something. I am not necessarily shy, but I am hesitant to give advice unless I’m asked.

What are some of your earliest childhood memories? We grew up in the country, outside of Jasper. There were 11 of us, and I was the oldest (three boys and eight girls). We lived in a three-bedroom house with no electricity, water or indoor plumbing for about the first 15 years. We had coal-stove heat, and yours truly got to bring the coal in every night. We were probably poor, but we sure didn’t know it. I attended a country school about half a mile from home – one room, seven grades, and one teacher. In the sixth grade, we went to St. Joe Catholic School in town to prepare for our Solemn Communion. Our dad worked in one of the furniture factories in town, and he didn’t get home until around 8 or 9 p.m. in the evening. Being the oldest, I had the pleasure of doing a lot of things at home while he was gone, like working in our big garden.

What did you do for fun as a child? I remember playing a lot of games, like tag, hide and seek, red rover, andy over, and a ball game called “longtime.” Thirty or 40 years ago, everything moved slower. Nobody rushed. Today, everything has to be organized. When we were kids, when you wanted to play baseball, you rounded up kids, chose up sides and played ball. Now you need umpires, Little League, Pony League, uniforms, special fields and a whole lot of rules.

What is an early memory of church? We belonged to St. Joseph Church in Jasper. I remember we never missed church. Dad didn’t have a car until I left home, so we walked about a mile and a half to get there. I don’t remember my First Communion or First Confession, but I do remember the second time I went to confession. It was on a Saturday night before Mass. There were at least four confessionals, and each one had long lines. The closer I got to the front of the line, the more scared I got. I remember my dad asking me if I wanted to sit down instead, so I did!

Who influenced you growing up? Who did you consider to be a hero? Mostly my mother. She was the disciplinarian since Dad worked late every night. She made sure we never missed church. When our dad would get home, he would light a vigil candle by our statue of Mary, and we’d say the rosary every night.

Who is your hero now? People like our last pope, John Paul, Mother Teresa and many other people like them who quietly go about doing God’s work without looking for recognition.

What was your first job and what did it pay? I worked in a tomato cannery about a half a mile from home and was paid 50 cents an hour. I am retired from Dubois Rural Electric. I worked there for 40 years.

What form does stewardship take in your life? What are you involved with at your parish (current and/or past)? To me, stewardship is important because everything we have comes from God, and we are obligated to give some of it back. I am a deacon at Holy Family; I was ordained in 1990. I was in the first group of Eucharistic ministers and am a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Have you encountered a miracle or God’s intervention in your life? A long time ago, a friend of mine bought a new car. We went to an outdoor dance one evening, but first we had to visit a few bars and take our bottle along. Just before intermission, my friend gave me the keys because he said he was in no condition to drive. I had been drinking, too, and on top of that I had no license and very little driving experience. During the intermission, I decided to take this girl I knew for a ride (Geraldine, who is now my wife). We walked out to the car, and I searched all my pockets for the keys, but I couldn’t find them. So we went back in the dance hall without going for a ride. Later on in the evening, my friend felt better and said he was able to drive, so he asked me for his keys. I reached in my right hand pants pocket and gave them to him. How did this happen? I guess some day I will find out. My mother died while I was in the service, so maybe she had something to do with it.

What do you like most about being Catholic? When I was younger, my faith was lukewarm … it wasn’t hot or cold. Somewhere along the line, somebody started working on me, and slowing, gradually I began to realize that God was a very important part of my life. I like the promises that Jesus has made to all Christians, and I feel like as Catholics, we follow closely to what Jesus taught.

What is your favorite religious item? I have two: a rosary I’ve had for several years and a crucifix someone gave me a few years ago.

Tell us about a favorite saint. Mary is a special one of mine. I also like St. Francis … I have a statue of him by my garden. One day, Mother Teresa will be one of them, too.

What makes a success? Success means different things to different people. For some, it is money, prestige and power. But I think if we can look back on our lives and believe we have done the best we could to live as God intended, we are a success.

How do you stay active? I like to garden, fish, and repair Christmas lights and lawn chairs for the St. Vincent de Paul Store.

What’s the best advice you ever received? As several people have said in this column, “Live by the Golden Rule.” Also, don’t be afraid to smile at people around you, and don’t be too quick to take offense at something someone has done or said.

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