KALAMAZOO — Portage author Jane Knuth spoke with students at St. Monica Catholic School on Monday, Jan. 31, and signed copies of her book titled “Thrift Store Saints,” which has been published by Loyola Press.
Knuth told students that she learned the importance of volunteering during her days in Catholic schools. She is a graduate of the former St. Joseph Elementary School and Msgr. John Hackett Catholic Central High School. She has spent the last 15 years as a volunteer for the St. Vincent de Paul thrift store, in downtown Kalamazoo and her book chronicles the spiritual lessons she learned while doing this important work.
Knuth received the Bishops’ Award for Volunteer Service in a ceremony on Tuesday, Feb. 8, in the auditorium at Hackett Catholic Central. The ceremony originally was planned for Thursday, Feb. 3, but had to be rescheduled, due to the inclement weather that closed schools.
Knuth’s visit was part of “Catholic Schools Week” activities at St. Monica Catholic School.†
Lining up to get books signed by Portage author Jane Knuth are Olivia Ballentine, a sixth grader at St. Monica School, and Lauren Kiesling, an eighth grader at the school. Katherine Doud/courtesy of St. Monica School