By Cathy Tilzey

When the Diocese of Helena thanked Bigfork’s Brad and Christine Neu for tireless work with young people, that gratitude came with a big surprise to hang on a wall: a large, framed print of artist Bob Morgan’s Legendary Lodge painting.

Christine was particularly excited because she had admired the print at the Cathedral of St. Helena, during the prayer service that took place Oct. 2 as part of the diocese’s annual Son Light celebration of youth and young-adult ministry. That evening, at the Son Light gala and auction, she wanted to bid on the picture but was certain the price would be too high. She did not bid and per her instructions, neither did members of her family.

The Neus were asked to speak at the prayer service and had no idea they would later receive an award for their youth work. The diocese gave the Neus the print with the idea that it would be a day-to-day reminder of gratitude for the couple’s work with youth at Bigfork’s Pope John Paul II Parish and beyond.

Christine said she and Brad have been privileged to accompany their sons, Christopher and Alex, throughout Montana and well beyond its borders.

“I’ve watched my own son form a relationship with a small boy on the Crow Reservation, so dear that when they parted both had tears ...,” she said.

“My children have been blessed by the diocese.”

In Sydney, Australia, for World Youth Day 2008, she met the Holy Spirit in the city’s cathedral, she said.

While in Helena for a Catholic youth convention, she and Brad asked a couple and their daughter to stay with them for the weekend.

Brad Neu, a graduate of St. Matthew’s school in Kalispell, has participated in and witnessed Catholic youth education in the Diocese of Helena for more years than he cares to admit. He said he has seen firsthand the impact of Bishop George Leo Thomas’ leadership and commitment to the youth and young adults in the diocese.

When the bishop offered Doug Tooke the position of diocesan youth and young-adult minister, some in the Bigfork area were initially surprised. But they also realized that they were not losing “one of the most charismatic youth leaders any of us had ever known, ” but rather would share his ministry with the youth throughout the diocese.

“It wasn’t long before we saw the wisdom in Bishop Thomas’ choice,” Brad added. “He has now given all of the youth and young adults in our diocese access to a man whose faith is contagious.”

Anyone who has never attended a Catholic Youth Conference convention, chaperoned a kids’ ski trip, been on a mission trip, traveled to World Youth Day or witnessed life at Legendary Lodge is missing out, he said.

Two years ago at the CYC convention, youth in the opening ceremony told 350-400 teenagers to lay down their fears, concerns and sins before Jesus. Then they encouraged the participants to stay for reconciliation.

“I have never seen lines form so fast in my life,” Brad said.

During Son Light, the Neus concluded their remarks by thanking Bishop Thomas for his vision; Glenda Seipp, the diocesan director of stewardship and annual giving, for help in preparing speeches; Tooke; Father Marc Lenneman, the campus minister at Carroll College; and Pope John Paul II Parish’s Msgr. Don Shea, Deacon Jim Butts, youth minister Dan Theis and youth ministry coordinator Jean Tegoli.


Published in The Montana Catholic Online, Volume 25, No. 12, December 18, 2009.