Nature's Symphony
Breathtaking colors of our planet
Faces of Humanity
Portraits of people from around the globe
Sands of Time
Stark beauty of desolate dunes
Beyond Boundaries
Visual odyssey across continents
At Saint Therese of Woodbury , stories of courage and compassion often live quietly among us — tucked behind gentle smiles, modest gestures and humble words. This Veterans Day, we honor one such story: that of John Thuente , a Navy veteran whose service in Vietnam revealed not only bravery in the skies but deep humanity that continues to inspire. A Minnesotan’s Call to Serve John grew up in St. Paul, fascinated by airplanes and determined to fly. Following his father’s example of service, he entered the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis and graduated in 1964. After flight school in California, he was stationed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (image below) as a navigator and weapons officer, flying F-4 Phantom jets over North Vietnam.
At Saint Therese of Oxbow Lake, an unexpected connection between an educator and a priest reveals how kindness endures across generations
Sometimes the smallest of acts, or in this case, the smallest of instruments, can make the biggest difference. This is true at Saint Therese – IHM Senior Living in Monroe, Mich., where resident Jack Schwab has turned his lifelong love of music into a joyful community tradition. Jack’s Journey with Music Jack grew up on a dairy farm in Deshler, Ohio, in a family where music was always encouraged. His mother, who never had the chance to play an instrument herself, worked tirelessly to ensure her children could. Jack picked up the trumpet as a boy and learned to read music, setting the stage for a lifetime of melodies. In his early years, Jack considered the priesthood, spending some time in seminary before realizing his true calling was in community work. He went on to spend most of his career in community action for the banking industry, where he specialized in helping people access opportunities for homeownership and lending. Music, however, was always close at hand. When his first wife passed away in 2010, Jack found solace in a ukulele that had been in his family for years. What started as a way to cope with grief became a source of healing and joy. Later, after traveling to Hawaii with his wife Anne, Jack came home with a renewed passion for the ukulele. By 2016, after retiring, Jack had founded a ukulele club. The group performed in care centers until the pandemic put gatherings on hold. When he moved into Saint Therese – IHM in 2022, Jack decided it was time to start again. Building Community Through Song With the support of the Saint Therese Foundation, which purchased ukuleles and music stands, Jack launched a weekly ukulele group. Every Tuesday morning, residents gather with Jack to learn songs ranging from “Happy Birthday” to nostalgic favorites. Staff members like Cassie Dillon often join in, and Jack encourages everyone to practice a little each day: “It’s simple, and I can teach it,” he says.
