The times, they are a-changin’ --
St. Anne in the Sixties
Part 5 of St. Anne History Series

If the 50s were a time of stability and relative tranquility, the 60s erupted as a volcano of change and challenge—to the status quo, to the established order, to the whole notion of what it meant to be an American Catholic. The repercussions of the decade are still being felt, not only in the United States, but also in the larger Catholic Church.

For American Catholics, the decade began auspiciously with the election of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the first Catholic U.S. President. The euphoria surrounding his election didn’t last long, however. In 1963, an assassin’s bullet killed the ebullient young president, causing the nation to mourn in a way it has done at few times in its history.

“I was on the way out of the courthouse in Snohomish County when I heard about it,” said parishioner Bob Lamb. “It was deeply disappointing; I always begrudged the fact that he really didn’t get to serve his term as President.” Parishioner Colleen Zamberlin was watching the parade in Dallas on television. “It was tragic,” she said. “Then watching Jack Ruby shoot Lee Harvey Oswald was very troubling.”
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Pillars of the Church: Suzanne and Allan Rosenthal Suzanne and Allan were both born on the east coast, Suzanne in Bethesda, MD and Allan in Tonawanda, NY (near Buffalo). Suzanne and Allan both came west, Allan in 1964 and Suzanne in 1965 to the Seattle area. Suzanne is a cradle Catholic, Allan raised a Lutheran.

They met on a blind date in 1993 and married in 1994. A co-worker thought they would be a perfect match because they were both “list makers”. Allan is self-employed, working in real estate investments and management. Suzanne has her BS in Nursing from the Udub. She is a RN case manager for HDI, part of AIG insurance; she works with out of state claimants with work-related injuries.

Suzanne was always active in St. Monica’s Parish in CYO, Youth Group, etc. But when she went to public school for junior and senior high school as well as Community College, she became less active. They joined St. Anne Parish about 2002 and several years later, about 2005, Marilyn Simon asked Suzanne if she’d like to be a Eucharistic Minister. Since Suzanne had done that before in college, she agreed.

But that was only the beginning. Marilyn subsequently told her about Cabrini Ministry, a weekly, nine-month training (AND four Saturdays!) for lay ministers. Now Suzanne takes Holy Communion to parishioners in their homes as well as helping at Viewpointe Retirement Community when Marilyn is away or needs time away.

In the meantime, Allan went through the RCIA program with Sr. Marilyn and Fr. Bob. Not to be outdone, he ushers at the Saturday evening Mass, participates in the Peace and Justice Book Club and is currently a member of the Pastoral Council.

They both, along with 3 1/2 year old daughter AnneMarie, help maintain the planting beds around the church. Allan has also brought his paint brushes and rollers to the church and has begun doing a few “handy-man” jobs: repairing, plumbing, etc. Marian Young has warned him this is a dangerous thing to do, but he stalwartly goes forward.

Suzanne feels our parish is warm, welcoming and friendly; Allan always seemed to have Catholic friends when he was growing up that were funny and friendly and he finds that here, too. Even though they lead busy lives, they still make participation at St. Anne a priority which is obvious by their involvement. We are certainly lucky to have them with us!