Bishop Steve presents the Benemerenti medal to Frances Baumann. Photos provided by Sr Meg Hill rsj.

Frances Baumann’s contribution and commitment for over fifty years to the parish of St Mary's Star of the Sea, Gisborne, was recognised recently by the award of a Benemerenti Medal, which was presented to her by Bishop Steve Lowe at a recent Mass.

The Benemerenti Medal is an honour awarded by the pope to members of the clergy and laity for long and exceptional service to the Catholic Church.

What a great and joyous occasion for the Parish of St Mary's Star of the Sea, the Catholic community, and our city of Gisborne.

“When there was any need at the church she (Frances) was always ready and willing to step in and help. She was a constant visitor of the sick and lonely, tireless in helping those in need, a frequent visitor to the hospital, and welcomed parishioners into her home for praying the Rosary.”

Frances was born in Thorpe Bay, Essex, England, the youngest of a family of seven. All of these children were dedicated to Mary at their baptism.

She graduated as a state-registered nurse and midwife from Guy’s Hospital, London, during the 1950s.

In 1963 Frances arrived in New Zealand from England and settled in Gisborne, and since her arrival she has been an active parishioner of St Mary's Star of the Sea parish.

Frances met Ambrose Story as a co-worker in the Legion of Mary and during 1968 they married, and as Ian Story, her stepson, says, they “went on to achieve great things for God between them.”

Sister Marie Hogan says about Frances: “When there was any need at the church she was always ready and willing to step in and help. She was a constant visitor of the sick and lonely, tireless in helping those in need, a frequent visitor to the hospital, and welcomed parishioners into her home for praying the Rosary.”

Frances has been involved in setting up for Masses several days of the week for many years and still helps with this, and is a daily communicant at Mass. She has a great devotion to Our Lady.

Frances has been involved with many organisations and activities in the parish of St Mary's Star of the Sea, and the wider community, including:

Leadership of the Legion of Mary and member for over twenty years
Serving as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at weekly and Sunday Masses and taking Holy Communion to the sick in their homes for over thirty years
Reading at Mass
Counting weekly collection plate donations
Managing flower rosters, polishing the Church brass and selling Columban calendars for many years
Leading the Rosary prior to weekday Masses
Inviting parishioners to her home after Sunday Mass for refreshments and prayer
Serving as an inaugural member of Pregnancy Counselling services, which began in the 1980s, and remaining a member for over twenty years. She was also a committee member for the Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child (SPUC) Being very actively involved in the work of the Catholic Enquiry Centre, delivering newsletters and collecting donations

We thank and congratulate Frances for her long, exceptional, and wonderful contribution to the parish of St Mary's Star of the Sea and to the wider Gisborne community.

Mar 8 Presentation of the Benemerenti Medal to Frances Baumann of St Mary's Star of the Sea, Gisborne

“When there was any need at the church she (Frances) was always ready and willing to step in and help. She was a constant visitor of the sick and lonely, tireless in helping those in need, a frequent visitor to the hospital, and welcomed parishioners into her home for praying the Rosary.”

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