A mother’s influence on faith, following Christ

Mother’s Day is May 14


The Blessed Mother did not have an easy life or an easy path following Christ, yet her journey is an inspiration to mothers around the world. Meet some moms in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City who want to share their story this Mother’s Day. 

Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Sulphur
Gerri Engel moved with her husband, Jerry, to Oklahoma in 1998 from Nebraska. She has three children and five grandchildren. Her second husband, Jerry, brought her back to the Catholic Church after many years.  

Engel said, “I prayed for 16 years to meet someone like Jerry to help me get back to the Church.  God answered those prayers.”   

It was love at first sight and they were married in 1993. They eventually moved to help family and found the perfect home in the rolling hills surrounding Sulphur and the parish of Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Unfortunately, Engel’s husband passed away in 2008, but that hasn’t stopped her from being involved with family and church. She has been an usher, greeter, Eucharistic minister to the sick, and is currently vice-president of the Altar Society. She is also deeply involved in all the choir activities. 

“I treasure this verse my mother gave me when I was confirmed: (Matt 6:33) ‘Seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’ I am so in love with God and want to treat others the way they want to be treated. God writes straight with crooked lines,” Engel said.   

Engel’s daughter, Vicky explained, “My mother gives and gives to the church and the parish gives so much to her in turn. She is the most giving person I know. She truly loves the Catholic Church and thinks the world of the pastor, Father Aaron Foshee. There isn’t anything she won’t do for her children and grandchildren.”  

Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Konawa 
Sharon Semtner has been married to her husband Joe for 46 years and has three daughters and five grandchildren. When she married, after a great deal of prayer, she converted to Catholicism. This busy mother can best be described as an “energizer bunny,” who is involved in almost everything at her small local parish and in the community. Semtner has been involved in CCD instruction, missions, Cursillo weekends, youth ministry and the operation of a youth summer camp. She still finds time to do volunteer work such as cleaning, mowing and decorating for the center town circle. In 2007, she was named Director of Religious Education of the Year.  

However, Semtner said, “My proudest achievement is my three wonderful daughters, their families and their faith.  It has been very impactful for me. I learned a great deal from my own mother who ran a summer camp for youth for 39 summers, enjoying God’s beauty in nature. This appreciation for nature has passed on to my own children.”

The eldest daughter in Idaho, Katie said, “Due to the distance, my mom doesn’t see my children as often as she does her other grandchildren, but what fun they do have when they are together!  Mom was the foundation to my faith and Sacred Heart was the center of my young Catholic life.  My mom was an integral part of the activities of the church there.”

Sandy, her second daughter said, “Thanks to my mother, God’s nature and beauty was so much a part of my life growing up. She is such an inspiration to me and my children with her faith, her ability to have fun, and her hard work. We were so lucky and blessed to have her.”

Her youngest daughter Anna said, “My mom had a tremendous influence on my faith and my life. She supported me in my decisions to attend Franciscan University and then at Oklahoma State University. She has supported me in every way. I loved attending camp every summer and helping people with their faith.”      

Holy Cross Catholic Church, Madill
Joann and Thomas Adams have just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They were Byzantine Catholics in Pennsylvania. Upon moving to Madill three years ago, they were welcomed to Holy Cross Catholic Church with open arms by the former pastor, Father Oby Zunmas. She is presently the president of the altar society of Holy Cross Catholic Church.  

Although there are some differences between the Roman and Byzantine rites of the Churches, Adams grew up with strong devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Her parish had programs such as May crowning of which she participated. Besides the Blessed Virgin Mary, Adam’s mother, Emma, was a great Catholic role model for her emulate. Adams has two sons and six grandchildren.   

“My mom is a very loving and caring woman,” Thomas said. She is always encouraging and supportive. She even taught me how to cook. I couldn't have asked for a better mom.”

Her son David said, “Mom is a loving and caring person. She always did whatever she could to let us kids know we were loved and cared for. From homemade meals to always trying to attend any events we have or even the grandkids have. She always tries to encourage and cheer us on in whatever we do, even as adults. She is a great mom and grandma.” 

Saint Mary Catholic Church, Ardmore
Shawnna Johnson married Gerald 33 years ago. Gerald was a widower at the time and had three kids. Johnson was member of the First Christian Church but felt something missing and she was looking for more.   

However, it took Johnson 23 years for her to convert to Catholicism. As a family, during the 23 years, they attended church and the Sacraments. Johnson was searching for a sign.  

Shawnna said, “Our last son was receiving his confirmation. When we walked into the church, they were handing out fresh flowers for the parishioners to hand to Archbishop Coakley as he walked down the aisle.  I was given a three-prong daisy, and one of the prongs was bent. I showed my husband the bent stem. We didn’t say much about it. So, I laid our flowers down and prayed while we waited for the Mass to start. I was praying about it being my turn to join the Catholic church and prayers of thanksgiving about the family we raised. I told God to give me a sign. Well, when we stood up as Archbishop Coakley walked down the aisle, I picked up the stem of daisies and the stem was not bent anymore. I turned to my husband and showed him, and we both were shocked. I knew what happened and signed up for RCIA the next fall.”

Johnson is the mother of five children and 11 grandchildren.   

Her daughter Elizabeth said, “I look up to her as the example on how God calls us to live out our lives as a mom. 

Her son Kris said, “She is the most welcoming person there is.”  

The Johnson’s middle child, Mark said, “Mom is kind and always puts others first.”  

Her son, Joseph said, “My entire life she has been a nurturer, protector, helper, teacher, provider, listener – but one of the greatest things I can call her now is my friend.” 

Finally, her son Robert said, “Mom is literally the definition of the word.”

Her husband, Gerald summed it up, “It takes a special woman to become a mother on the first day they get married. My wife is that woman. She loved my children from day one just as if they came from her womb. The people that we met never had any reason to think that she wasn’t their mother. She was sent to us by God and has been a loving nurturing mother and wife. We have two additional children together and she loves them all equally and unconditionally. She is an example of Agape love.”

Charles Albert is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.


Photo: (Above) Gerri Engel


Sharon Semtner and family



Joann Adams and family 




Shawnna and Gerald Johnson