November 2025

Richard and Madonna Dearie

Dedication to the Service of Richard and Madonna Dearie to St. Anthony of Padua Parish

It is our honor today to recognize Richard and Madonna Dearie as the Knights of Columbus Family of the month. Their dedication to the Faith Community of St. Anthony of Padua Church is unimpeachable. They have been a part of Casa Grande and St. Anthony for many years. They are devout Catholics and active members of several ministries.

Richard is an Army veteran who served proudly and with distinction. He joined the Council 3136 of the Knights of Columbus as a 3rd Degree in 1991 and, consistent with his military commitment, joined the Patriotic 4th Degree of the Knights in 1992. Richard has been a very active member of the Council. He is a consistent volunteer at Knights events, especially the Breakfast and Fish Fries. He has served in many official roles, most recently as Outside Guard. Richard is an avid racing fan but focuses his attention now on Madonna and their family.

Madonna Dearie was among the first volunteers at the inception of The Family and Life Ministry. She brought with her many years of office management skills and has helped Don and Judy Sellmeyer develop and manage a process that has allowed the Ministry to accomplish its remarkable growth and effectiveness in helping young families. Madonna is the first face seen every Tuesday and Thursday as people walk in the door. She greets new and regular clients in a welcoming and friendly manner and directs them to advocates for assistance. She efficiently and coolly manages what can be a somewhat chaotic environment when several mothers and dads along with their children are trying to manipulate in the cramped space of the Life Center.

Madonna commands the front desk with precision. She manages client appointments and keeps things flowing smoothly. She does the ordering of diapers and other supplies for our mothers. She has developed the layette program and lends her artistry in creating beautiful baby gift baskets for our expectant mothers.

Among her other activities, Madonna volunteers at St. Vincent DePaul thrift store every Friday. She also assists at the Knights of Columbus Sunday breakfasts and at the Knights fish fries. Madonna is a Eucharistic Minister.

On a personal level, Madonna is involved and committed to the care of her beautiful special needs granddaughter when called upon. She is not only a dedicated mother and grandmother, but a dedicated supportive wife and, when needed, caretaker, to her husband Richard.

October 2025

Jesse and Susan Gladman

March 2025

Arturo and Letitia Cosillos

Honoring Arturo and Leticia Cosillos

Art and Leticia Cosillos have been dedicated themselves to the St. Anthony of Padua Faith Community for the last 12 years. Leticia is a valuable member of the Parish Administration. She volunteered from 2013-2015 when she became a permanent employee of the Church. Everyone who comes in the office to work with her is greeted with a warm smile and a caring manner. She makes everyone feel welcome and that their request is important.

Leticia takes the lead in sacramental rites and making sure everyone involved in the celebration is prepared whether it be baptisms, weddings, or Quinceaneras. You will also see Leticia praying the rosary for the community on Tuesdays and Thursdays before mass.

Arturo has helped with janitorial and maintenance around the parish grounds for the last six years. He keeps the Churches grounds and school extremely clean and will fix anything that he is asked to do reliably and with passion. He is always willing to help and makes sure the Chapel or the Church in the Community Center is ready to go for whatever event it is needed.

Arturo and Leticia are family oriented. They love spending time with their grandchildren, always making an effort to take them to mass.

For this and their ongoing dedication and resolve the Knights of Columbus honor Arturo and Leticia Cosillos as Family of the Month for March 2025.

January 2025

Dan and Jo Ruth Spellman

Honoring Dan and JoRuth Spellman

There are not many activities at St. Anthony of Padua Church that you won’t find Dan and/or Jo Ruth Spellman actively working to make the event special. They have been dedicated members of the St. Anthony of Padua Faith Community for many years.

Dan has been a member of the Fr Patrick J Murphy Council 3136 of Knights of Columbus since 2014 and served as the Deputy Grand Knight for four years and Grand Knight from 2021 to 2024. Using his military training as Chief Warrant Officer in the Army, Dan has been a forceful and effective leader. Dan has organized and participated in work parties to support most of the major parish events during his time as a Knight.

JoRuth has been a member of Catholic Daughters since 2014. She has been very active, serving on Committees and cooking for Bingo. She has organized and has delivered thousands of meals for needy recipients with her “Crock Pot Ministry.” You can often find Dan or JoRuth leading the Divine Mercy Novena. Dan and JoRuth also manage the Friday Adoration for St. Anthony's.

For this and their ongoing dedication and resolve the Knights of Columbus honor Dan and Jo Ruth Spellman as Family of the Month for January 2025.

October 2024

Don and Judy Sellmeyer

Honoring Don and Judy Sellmeyer

With the renewed focus on life coming from the abolition of Roe V Wade. The Church doubled-down in its efforts to helping young families reap the blessing of bringing new life into their family. The Knights of Columbus, for instance, began a program called ASAP (Aid and Support After Pregnancy). Fr. Ariel decided that the parish needed a new Ministry focused on caring for young Mothers and Fathers and their offspring. He chose Don and Judy Sellmeyer to lead this effort. Both were devoted Catholics and active members of the St. Anthony Community. Don, a member of the Knights of Columbus and Judy a Catholic daughter did not hesitate to jump in.

They immediately toured pregnancy and life centers throughout the country determining what was working for those centers and how their successes could be applied to St. Anthony. Don, using his business experience and Judy her extensive career in nursing took what they learned and applied it to form the St. Anthony of Padua Family and Life Ministry that mow serves over one hundred Fathers, Mothers and children every month. With determination and dedication, Don and Judy have optimized the limited space next to the chapel and established a Family Life Center to provide counseling, education, critical supplies and clothes to many families. They have rallied and inspired many volunteers from the Faith Community who are dedicated to the cause of giving these families what they need in order to thrive.

For this and their ongoing dedication and resolve the Knights of Columbus honor Don and Judy Sellmeyer as Family of the Month for October 2024.

https://www.stanthonycg.org/family-life-ministry/