Catholic Charities honors Rifle woman

GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. — A man and a woman working a field pause, bow their heads and pray. The outline of the city shimmers through an orange and blue brushstroke sky.

This moment in the "Angelus" painting by Jean-Francois Millet captures the spirit behind a charity award given to Rose Burnett of Rifle Wednesday night.

"She has a huge heart and just chips in and jumps on situations that need to be taken care of," said Tom Ziemann of Catholic Charities. "She's just always there and present for people who have needs."

At its annual dinner, Catholic Charities gave the Monsignor Thomas Dentici Friends of Charity Award to Burnett for her volunteer charity work motivated by her faith. With the award comes a reproduction of the Angelus painting, which Ziemann says captures what the award is about.

"She's a woman of very deep faith," Ziemann said. "It's very obvious for anyone that knows her that she's motivated by that faith."

Burnett also receives $1,000 to give to any charity organizations of her choice.

A retired bookkeeper, Burnett began doing bookkeeping for Catholic Charities about five years ago.

"Then she became very involved and wanted to do a variety of things," Ziemann said.

Ziemann said Burnett began going above and beyond. She's done many things for people, from giving them rides to medical appointments to helping frazzled parents with child care or bringing order to their homes. Burnett created a gift-giving program in the Rifle St. Mary's Catholic Church. She coordinates volunteers and with them identifies the needs of families to get them what they need. Even things like furniture or beds.

Burnett also gets food packages together and distributes them around Christmastime. Ziemann said she coordinated a potluck dinner for Hurricane Katrina victims last year during the 2005-06 holiday season, and also coordinates various community dinners.

"She's just a whirlwind of activity," Ziemann said.

The president of Denver's Catholic Charities arm, Jim Mauck, arrived at Wednesday's dinner at Buffalo Valley along with about 80 people in attendance. Mauck has announced he's retiring after decades of service to Catholic Charities, Ziemann said.

"We recognized him in his support in getting our Western Slope office opened," and also supporting its development, Ziemann said.

Contact Pete Fowler: 945-8515, ext. 16611
pfowler@postindependent.com


Post Independent, Glenwood Springs Colorado CO