A History of WWCCR

Faithful Witnesses:
We Remember Our Departed Brothers and Sisters

"Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. "

May their prayers on behalf of WWCCR and the Archdiocese of Seattle bear abundant fruit.

The following is a growing list of those who played an important part in our history:

Nina Aviado (d. July 24, 2006) Nina was the founder and a leader of the "Sacred Heart of Jesus" prayer group that continues to meet at St. Peter Church, Seattle, WA.

Fr. Engelbert Axer, SJ (1911-1989) Born in Essen, West Germany. Served as professor of Philosophy at Seattle University from 1955 to 1986. Concelebrating at a Charismatic Mass in Washington, D.C. started his “conversion” from an ‘intellectualistic-rationalistic’ approach to spirituality. His new life in the Spirit was nourished and deepened with the help and prayers of the newfound brothers and sisters in various prayer groups especially those centered at St. Patrick and Blessed Sacrament parishes. Served WWCCR as Spiritual Director from March 1988 to his death September 1989.

Norm Canney (1919-2004) With wife Jeanette was a faithful volunteer at the WWCCR Office and served as a prayer team at our conferences for many years. He was an avid reader and able to discuss the teachings of the Church with just about anyone. He was a very active parishioner at St. John the Evangelist Parish, Seattle, WA.

Rudy Corwin (1925-2003) With wife Pat, Rudy was one of the founding members the Board of Directors of Western Washington Catholic Charismatic Renewal. He served on the Board for twelve years and stayed involved in many other aspects of WWCCR. Rudy was committed for the past thirty years to the "Light of Christ" prayer meeting that still meets at St. Brendan's Parish. He was never more full of life than when he was singing, often with his eyes closed and his hands raised in praise of God. His peaceful presence and his abundant wisdom are things that will be greatly missed. To check out a eulogy given at Rudy's funeral, click here

Patricia Dennis  (1939-1999)  Leader in the Blessed Sacrament Prayer Group in Seattle, WA. She was a bible study teacher, the founder of Agape Outreach that served the needs the mentally ill, a minister to the incarcerated at the King County jail, an adventurer, dynamic lover of God and of all God’s children. Parishioner of St. Alphonsus Parish, in Seattle, WA.

Don Falk (1930-2006)  After experiencing a conversion and a healing at our annual conference in 1996, Don became a faithful volunteer and friend of the work of WWCCR. He often served as a conference usher and came every month as a volunteer to work on assembling our monthly newsletter. Filled with exciting stories about his work on the Alaska pipeline, his greater stories these last few years were those about his trips to Medjugorje and other area charismatic events.

Bea Fitzpatrick (1922-2005) Involved in charismatic renewal since the early 70’s. After retiring from work in the unions, Bea became  the bookkeeper at WWCCR in 1987. Bea was an excellent role model, someone that we all admired and learned from. We could tell that she was filled with the Spirit of her God. She brought into every situation a positive outlook, good humor, and common sense. Her dazzling smile is one of the things we will remember the most! She had an adventuresome spirit! She had remarkable grace and dignity in her bearing, she was a classy lady, yet laughed easily at herself and the circumstances of life. Bea was a lector at her parish, St. John Vianney Church in Kirkland, WA.

Fr. Joseph Fulton, OP  (1912-1998)  Known as “Father Joy” or “Father Love” because of the way those characteristics exuded from him. Started the prayer meeting at the Dominican Blessed Sacrament parish in Seattle, WA. Taught bible study classes around the Puget Sound area. Energetically pastored the early years of Charismatic Renewal in the Catholic Church and remained a friend and advocate all his life.

Lucetta Halls (1923-1999) With husband Art, they were the catalysts for the St. Joseph Healing Ministry Retreat held at Port Townsend, WA. She poured out her heart in service to the Lord as a leader in Sequim, WA, as a mentor for people in ministry, as a tireless worker at her parish and as a Third Order Franciscan. She experienced many miraculous healings from the Lord and much grace for perseverance in suffering.

Ralph Hansmeyer (1923-2000)  Ralph frequented several different prayer groups. He lent a helping hand at the WWCCR office and anywhere else he was needed.  He was generous benefactor and a faithful GLEANINGS newsletter volunteer. Ralph always had a smile and a story for everyone he met.

Walt "Bud" Heckel (1920-2005) Faithful intercessor for WWCCR. With wife Mary they often worked on GLEANINGS newsletter mailings. Bud was a handy man who fixed our leaky toilets, repaired our broken roof trim and built a storage cabinet for our Eucharistic chapel. He was a very active parishioner at St. John the Evangelist Parish, Seattle, WA.

Don Holt (d. 1999) With wife Catherine, initiated the tape ministry in the area, first known as Donca Enterprises, and later as the chief volunteers for WWCCR’s tape lending library and conference tape ministry. Active member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish and prayer group in Everett. Involved in Healing prayer ministry and one of Fr. Fulton’s chauffeurs to his bible study in Bothell. A model of a faithful servant.

Lynne Isaacs (1942-2000) Leader in the prayer group at St. John Bosco Parish  in Lakewood, WA. Exhorter, used her prophetic gifts to open our eyes to the greatness of the call of God in our lives.  She truly invested herself in those she loved and made the most of every opportunity for meaningful conversation.

Fr. William Morris, SS (1905-2005) Friend and intercessor for WWCCR.  He lived at St. Thomas Seminary when the WWCCR office was there. He always had a word of encouragement during his daily visits. Even when his order moved him to their retirement home in Baltimore, MD, he frequently called WWCCR to share the blessings of his contemplations of the Most Holy Trinity.

Larry Monuteaux, (d. 2006) One of the "founding fathers" of WWCCR, Larry was on the first Board of Directors and also served as the first "office manager," which, at that time, really was the position of Executive Director. A humble, yet confident leader, his confidence was in the Lord whom he served faithfully throughout his whole life. Though he worked at WWCCR for only six years, these were the foundational years of this organization. He was a man of vision who could put the practical steps in motion to fulfill that vision. Larry was deeply committed to WWCCR, often giving words of encouragement. He prayed for us daily and was one of our most generous contributors, though he was not a man of wealth. Giving was an important part of his lifestyle.

Maria Erlynda "Lynda" Munar (1943-2001)  Leader in Bukas Loob Sa Diyos Charismatic Community that meets at Holy Family Parish in Kirkland, WA.

Archbishop Thomas Murphy (d. 1997)  Archbishop of Seattle 1991-1997. Frequent presider at WWCCR Conference Masses, he always spoke words of  wisdom and encouragement.

June Remillard (d. 2002) A former Board member of WWCCR, lived a life of love and service. She made it a point to encourage others at every opportunity to be faithful to the Lord and to be diligent in service to Catholic Charismatic Renewal. She was baptized in the Holy Spirit at the prayer meeting at Sacred Heart in Bellevue in the early 1970’s. Her friend and spiritual director, Fr. William Morris, encouraged her to pursue this "new" aspect of spiritual life and she became a great witness to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. June was a member of St. Thomas Parish in Tukwila, WA.

Helen Thomas (1927-1999) Served on WWCCR Board of Directors from October 1988 through May 1992. Her practical wisdom and unshakable faith helped bring strength and energy to this ministry. She and her husband Myron served as leaders of the “Joy…and More” Prayer group at Immaculate Conception parish in Arlington, WA. She called forth the giftedness of the members of the prayer group to the point where they have exercised substantial positive influence in the life of their parish and their community. They found great joy in serving the poor and imprisoned through various ministries. Helen was an active parishioner at Immaculate Conception Parish in Arlington, WA.

Fr. Leo Thomas, OP  (1922-1997)  Founding member and President of the Board of Directors of WWCCR.  Founder of the Institute for Christian Ministries. Authored books on healing. Gentle pastor and effective teacher.

Barbara Thomsen (d. 1987) Her spiritual gifts helped shape the Hosanna prayer group in Port Angeles, WA more than any other single person did. She loved the church and energized people to truly desire the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit. The group grew through her leadership and her experience with cancer.

Deacon David Warmuth (1932-2006) Another good friend of Catholic Charismatic Renewal in our Archdiocese. He was a wise and kind friend who helped us plan liturgies and is most known for helping us establish our weekly "Hour Hour" that began in 1995. He also donated the lectern for our Eucharistic chapel.

Eugenia "Genie" Wolf (1910-2002) A faithful member of the prayer group at Immaculate Conception Parish in Mount Vernon, even before the group took the name "Maranatha". The group got its start meeting in her home. Genie was a lady of great faith and wisdom and helped keep the group on track. After her husband died, she moved to Bellingham, WA, but still came to meet with the Mount Vernon group as often as possible.

Rosella Zeger (1923-2003) Faithful volunteer who helped with donation data entry for several years when it was still done in DOS. Called "Auntie Rosie" because she is Virginia King's aunt, she would give shoulder rubs to staff, volunteers, and visitors while waiting for our slow printer to print out donation reports. Many planned to "drop by" on Wednesdays for a gentle shoulder rub from Rosella. She was also an active volunteer at her home parish, St. Catherine of Siena in Seattle, WA.

(We will continue to include more names of the precious souls who have impacted WWCCR and who have gone before us “marked with the sign of faith.” Please call us or send us info@wwccr.org  the names and memories of any you know whom we could include in this list. With your help, we hope to keep an ongoing record of these saints.)