We are proud to announce the Mater Dei Hall of Honor Class of 2023: Jackie Chiarolanza ’81, Deb Foote, Sr. Margaret Anne Henss, PHJC, Vickie Korte ’71, and Deacon Kevin Templin ’90.  The celebration on May 5, 2023, included Mass, dinner, and the induction ceremony.

Established in 1997, the Hall of Honor recognizes alumni and friends of Mater Dei who have lived their lives as witnesses of our mission.  To view all members, select the following link: Hall of Honor Members 1997-2023

Jackie Chiarolanza, Class of 1981
After graduating from Mater Dei in 1981, Jackie earned a Bachelor of Science in marketing from Eastern Illinois University.  Following a career as a flight attendant, she earned a Master of Arts in secondary education from McKendree University.  She then returned to Mater Dei in 2007 as a member of the Business Education Department and served our students for nine years.

As a business education teacher, Jackie not only guided students in developing their knowledge of various aspects of business, but also encouraged students to apply their knowledge through active participation in FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America), for which she served as moderator. Additionally, she served as a Student Council co-moderator, prom moderator, Operation Teen Safe Driving moderator, freshman mentor group leader, Principal’s Advisory Committee member, and strategic planning committee member.  For her dedication to our students, Jackie received the Educator of the Year award in 2016.

A resident of Aviston, Jackie is a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, where she currently serves as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion and a lector and previously served as a PSR (Parish School of Religion) teacher and a member of the pastoral council and parish mission committee.  For the community, she currently volunteers for HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Auxiliary and as an election judge and previously volunteered at CILA (Community Integrated Living Arrangement) homes in Aviston and Breese.

Jackie and her husband, Charlie, are blessed with two children: Clare ’13 and Grace ’15.

Deb Foote
Following her graduation from Althoff Catholic High School, Deb earned a Bachelor of Science in mathematics from Quincy University and a Master of Science in secondary education from University of Southern California.  With four years of teaching experience, she began her career at Mater Dei in 1978 as a member of the Mathematics Department.  In 1986, Deb left Mater Dei when her husband’s career in the U.S. Air Force required their family to relocate.  In 1997, fate allowed her to return to Mater Dei, where she will end her 45-year teaching career with her well-deserved retirement at the conclusion of the 2022-2023 school year.

As a teacher, Deb has shared her passion for mathematics while guiding and encouraging students in a variety of courses.  She also currently serves as the registrar, a Faculty Council member, and the National Honor Society moderator and previously served as a member of multiple committees for accreditation evaluations and strategic planning processes.  For her dedication to our students, Deb received the Educator of the Year award in 2014.

Outside the classroom, Deb served as a dedicated softball coach for sixteen years (1980-1985 and 2001-2010).  During her tenure, she amassed a 236-154-1 record (60% winning percentage) and guided the Lady Knights to three regional titles, one sectional title, one super-sectional title, and a fourth-place finish in the state finals.  The 2009-2010 team set two records in the program’s history: the first team to compete in the state finals and the most wins in a season (24-12).  In recognition of her achievements, Deb was named Coach of the Year by both the Belleville News-Democrat (Class 3A and 4A) and the Illinois Coaches Association (Class 3A).

A resident of Breese, Deb is a member of St. Dominic Catholic Church.  For her community, she previously served as PTA president at All Saints Academy and a volunteer for the Breese youth baseball and softball leagues.

Deb and her husband, Robert, are blessed with four children: Jaclyn ’04, Jessica ’05, Richard ’09, and Robert ’09; and two grandchildren.

Sr. Margaret Anne Henss, PHJC
On her journey to answering her calling to religious life, Sr. Margaret Anne graduated from Ancilla Domini High School in 1964, after which she entered the religious order of Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ (PHJC).  She then professed her First Vows in 1967 and her Final Vows in 1973.  Sr. Margaret Anne earned a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics and chemistry from Alverno College, a Master of Science in math from Marquette University, and a Master of Science in accounting from Notre Dame University.

In 1980, with eleven years of teaching experience in Chicago and Donaldson, IN, Sr. Margaret Anne, a native of Trenton, returned to Clinton County and continued her ministry in education as a member of Mater Dei’s faculty.  During her fourteen-year career at Mater Dei, she also served as chair of the Mathematics Department and moderator of Mothers & Friends.

In 1994, Sr. Margaret Anne’s ministry led her to serve the PHJC in leadership roles: Controller (1994-1997), Treasurer (1997-2007), Director of Mission and Communications for HealthVisions Midwest, a PHJC-sponsored ministry (2007-2017), and Councilor for the American Province Leadership Team (2017-2021).  Now semi-retired, she continues to serve as Chairperson for two Linden Houses, a PHJC-sponsored ministry that provides affordable housing for independent seniors, as well as a member of various PHJC committees.  She celebrated her 55th jubilee in 2022.

Sr. Margaret Anne is the daughter of the late Arnold and Wilma Henss and the eldest of thirteen children.

Vickie Korte, Class of 1971
A member of the Mater Dei Class of 1971, Vickie has answered our calling to serve the Catholic Church.  First as a catechist for the Parish School of Religion (PSR) program at St. Mary Catholic Church in Trenton and then as a catechist and the Coordinator of Religious Education (CRE) for the PSR program at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Germantown, she guided countless youth in the formation of their faith.  In 1997, Vickie began her career with the Diocese of Belleville, during which she served in three roles: Coordinator of Catechist Certification, secretary to the Associate Director of Catechesis, and administrative assistant to the Director of Education.  In each of these roles, Vickie dedicated herself to providing quality support to diocesan employees and volunteers.   She retired in 2018 after twenty-one years of service.

Taking an active role in her children’s lives, Vickie served as a den leader and cub master for Cub Scout Pack 273, for which she received the District Award of Merit.  For Mater Dei, she served as an active member of Band Parents; Mothers & Friends, including as a member of dinner auction committees; and the Mission Effectiveness Committee.

A resident of Germantown, Vickie is a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church, where she previously served as a Catholic Youth Ministry (CYM) leader, choir member, extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, and liturgy committee member.  As a member of the Germantown Council of Catholic Holy Family Society, she previously served as president, treasurer, and trustee.

Vickie and her late husband, Dan ’68, are blessed with five sons: Matt ’94, Dean ’97, Tim ’00, Mike ’02, and Brad ‘07; and thirteen grandchildren.

Deacon Kevin Templin, Class of 1990
Following his graduation from Mater Dei in 1990, Kevin earned a Bachelor of Science from Illinois State University and built a career in the field of orthopedics.  Since 2003, he has served as a physician extender and orthopedic surgery assistant at The Orthopedic Center of St. Louis.  During this time, he also answered his calling to the diaconate.

Following his formation at St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology, Kevin was ordained a permanent deacon on May 19, 2018, and assigned to serve both St. Bernard Catholic Church in Albers and St. Damian Catholic Church in Damiansville.  In this role, he assists in ensuring that the sacramental and faith formation needs of the parish are met, including preparing parishioners for baptism, marriage, and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA); leading Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction; and ministering to the sick and homebound.  In addition, Kevin ministers to inmates at Big Muddy River Correctional Center in Ina and serves as president of the Diocese of Belleville Diaconal Community.

An active member of St. Bernard Catholic Church since childhood, Kevin has served in a variety of roles in support of the parish, including as a member of the parish council for eight years and a volunteer at parish events.  He is also a member of Albers–Damiansville Knights of Columbus Council #9768, for which he currently serves as assistant chaplain.

Residents of Albers, Kevin and his wife, Kristen, are blessed with three children: Elizabeth ’11, Ricky, and Oceana ’16; and two grandchildren.