Bishop Gaydos to be among “Hall of Fame: honorees at Helias Catholic H.S. “Celebrate the Legacy” event March 3

Bishop John R. Gaydos, bishop emeritus of the Jefferson City diocese, will be among the six people inducted this year into the Helias Hall of Fame during Foundation for the Benefit of Helias Catholic High School’s “Celebrate the Legacy” event.

It will be held on Saturday, March 3, at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City.

The induction class will also include:

•Didier de Carvalho Aur, longtime educator and former president of Helias Catholic;

•The late Harold Godfrey Butzer, St. Peter High School Class of 1940, who was a local businessman and active Helias volunteer;

•Mark Saucier of Helias Catholic Class of 1968, mission director and coordinator for mission advancement for the Jefferson City diocese;

•Dana Wilbers, a local entrepreneur and active volunteer at Helias Catholic; and

•Peggy Rogers, known by many as “every Helias Catholic High School students’ ‘mom’” and “the heartbeat of Helias,” who will be honored as Helias Catholic’s Outstanding Staff Member of the Year.

The celebration will begin with a 6 p.m. reception in the Capitol Plaza atrium, followed by dinner in the ballroom at 7 p.m. 

The program, including the 2018 Hall of Fame Induction ceremony, will begin at 7:45 p.m.

A dance featuring the music of SoulRoot will begin at 8:30 p.m.

Several raffles will be held throughout the evening, including a choice of vacation destinations; a flat-screen television; cash; a “boat of brew”; and one year of free tuition to Helias Catholic High School.

This new Celebrate the Legacy event is geared toward raising money to support the endowment and thus help keep tuition low. 

The celebration will highlight various aspects of the Helias educational experience in order to make the community aware of the benefits of a Helias education.

A very special portion of the evening will be to celebrate and honor this year’s 2018 Hall of Fame inductees.

New members are inducted into the Hall of Fame each year. Individuals must have graduated at least 20 years prior to induction; demonstrated loyalty and service to Helias; distinguished him or herself in a chosen field; and have exhibited moral standards to the credit of the school.

Tickets are $50 per person. Tables of 10 may be purchased for $500.

Contact the Foundation at (573) 635-3808 on or before Feb. 28.

Here are biographies of this year’s Helias Hall of Fame inductees:

Bishop John R. Gaydos

The Most Reverend John R. Gaydos, bishop emeritus of Jefferson City, is the son of George and Carrie Gaydos.

He graduated from St. Agnes School in St. Louis in 1957 and then attended St. Louis Preparatory Seminary from 1957 to 1961, whence he entered Cardinal Glennon College.

After graduating in 1965, Bishop Gaydos went to Rome to study at the Pontifical North American College and Pontifical Gregorian University, from where he obtained his bachelor’s degree in dogmatic theology in 1969.

During his studies in Rome, he was ordained to the Priesthood by Bishop Francis Reh on Dec. 20, 1968, in St. Peter’s Basilica.

Upon his return to the United States, he served as associate pastor of St. Joseph parish in Manchester until 1974 and of St. Cecilia Parish in St. Louis until 1977.

Bishop Gaydos served as secretary of Cardinal John J. Carberry and as vice chancellor of the St. Louis archdiocese from 1977 to 1981 and then as secretary to Archbishop John May and full chancellor until 1990.

He became pastor of St. Gerard Majella parish in Kirkwood in 1990, and vicar general of St. Louis on Feb. 14, 1996.

On June 25, 1997, Bishop Gaydos was appointed the third Bishop of Jefferson City by Pope St. John Paul II.

He received his episcopal consecration on the following Aug. 27 from Archbishop Justin Rigali, with Bishop Michael F. McAuliffe and Archbishop Oscar Lipscomb serving as co-consecrators at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph.

Under his 20-year leadership of the Diocese of Jefferson City, Helias Catholic experienced significant growth in facilities and programming.

Most recently, Bishop Gaydos granted permission for the construction of the school’s new science center/chapel/administrative addition, as well as the Crusader Athletic Complex.

His support of the work and ministry of Helias Catholic High School has placed the school in a position to be successful in providing secondary Catholic education in Jefferson City for decades to come.

Didier de Carvalho Aur

Didier de Carvalho Aur is the son of Rhomes and Celina Aur.

He is married to Kelley Choate Aur. They have two children: Jonathan Aur (Brittany) and Celina Aur.

Mr. Aur graduated from Christian Brothers High School in Memphis, Tennessee in 1979.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in education and master’s degree in special education from the University of Memphis, as well as his master’s degree in educational leadership from Christian Brothers University.

He is working on a master’s degree in Catholic Studies.

His teaching career began at Presbyterian Day School, which led to a teaching position at his alma mater, Christian Brothers High School, where he served as a teacher, coach and administrator.

After serving 10 years at CBHS, Mr. Aur was named principal of Holy Name Catholic School, a Jubilee School in the Catholic Diocese of Memphis.

He then served seven years as president of Helias Catholic High School and currently serves as the Development Director for all nine Jubilee Schools in Memphis.

Mr. and Mrs. Aur are parishioners of The Catholic Church of the Resurrection in Memphis, where he serves as a Lector, extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, and director of the annual silent auction.

His community involvement includes being the Founder and Executive Board Member of the Blue Streak Scholarship Fund, Inc.

While he was president of Helias Catholic, Mr. Aur’s loyalty and service to the school showed in many ways both spiritually and structurally.

He greeted the students at the front door each morning, most of them by name.

Under the bishop’s direction, he changed of the name of Helias High School to Helias Catholic High School.

He launched the Mission Trip program, which involved many Helias students who embraced Christian Service, deepened their faith, and increased their desire to help others beyond their days at Helias.

He started the Helias Hall of Fame, as well as the school’s annual Grandparents Day Mass and Luncheon.

His works were endless for the school expansion of a larger chapel, a Science Center, Dance Team and Choir rooms, as well as new Administrative offices.

Mr. Aur’s greatest vision — a Crusader Athletic Complex adjacent to the Helias campus — came to fruition with the assistance of Ed Twehous, after many long hours of negotiations and meetings with the Diocese of Jefferson City, local community members, and generous donors.

His involvement since leaving Helias has been as a consultant on the expansion plans.

Harold Godfrey Butzer

The late Harold Godfrey Butzer was the son of Guido Gottfried and Elizabeth Angenendt Butzer.

He was married to Catherine Louise Markle Butzer. They have four children: DÁrcy Butzer Blosser (Jim), Lisa Butzer Dulle (Paul), Vanessa Butzer Robe (Matt) and Nikki Butzer Sims (Dan).

Harold and Catherine Butzer have nine grandchildren.

Mr. Butzer graduated from the former St. Peter High School in Jefferson City in 1940 and was involved in tennis and played trumpet in the band.

He earned his Engineering degree from the Rolla School of Mines (UMR, now known as the Missouri University of Science & Technology).

He served in World War II as a commissioned officer with Army Corps of Engineers-European Theatre.

He owned and operated Harold G. Butzer Inc. a mechanical contracting firm, for 63 years until his retirement in 2010 at age 88.

Mr. Butzer was a member of the Cathedral of St. Joseph parish. His community involvement included membership in the Knights of Columbus and the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre; the City Council of Jefferson City; president of both Jefferson City and Cole County Republican Committees, and as a member of the U.S. Electoral College in both the 1968 and 1972 elections.

He was a founding member of the Mid-Missouri Medical Foundation, serving on the Board from 1979-1994.

He was on the first St. Mary’s Lay Advisory Board, established in 1961, and served for many decades with St. Mary’s including on the Citizens Advisory Board and as Board President.

He was elected to the Board of Directors of Exchange National Bank (now Hawthorn Bank), serving for several decades, the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce (vice president 1966-68, President 1981), Missouri State Chamber of Commerce (1968-1989) and the Samaritan Center Building Committee.

He was also a member of the Rotary Club of Jefferson City and a Paul Harris Fellow, as well as numerous other civic and professional organizations.

His involvement with Helias Catholic included numerous behind-the-scenes projects, supporting Helias both personally and professionally since its beginning.

He was involved in various building projects and maintenance of the school.

His reputation for fairness and honesty was well-known not only for Helias, but throughout the entire community.

Mark Saucier

Mark Saucier is the son of Alvin and Ruth Saucier.

He is married to Carolyn Brennan Saucier. They have six children: Da-vid Saucier (Amy), Nathan Saucier (Ali), Rachel Perrone (Justin), Aaron Saucier (Kaitlin), Rebecca Saucier, and Micah Saucier.

Mr. and Mrs. Saucier have eleven grandchildren.

Mr. Saucier graduated from Helias Catholic High School in 1968 and was involved in the National Honor Society, football, track, Student Council, Boys State, Catholic Youth Organization, and Knights of Columbus Squires.

His work history includes the Missouri Office of Aging, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, and St. Joseph of Cupertino parish in Cupertino, California.

He began with the Diocese of Jefferson City in August of 1976 and currently serves as the coordinator of Mission Advancement and Director of the Mission Office.

He is a member of Immaculate Conception parish in Jefferson City, where he has served as past parish council president, as a lector, as member of the Bell Tower BBQ committee, and on various ad hoc committees.

His community involvement includes jail ministry, founding member of Koinonia House (men’s residential recovery program); board member of Healing House and New Beginnings; president of the Merida Foundation, work with Habitat for Humanity; and the Knights of Columbus.

He was previously involved with Agape House (hospitality for families of prisoners).

He served on the national boards for UNDA (former Catholic Communications association) and the Peru Peace Network.

He received recognition from Gabriel Awards and Catholic Relief Services.

Mr. Saucier’s involvement with Helias Catholic includes volunteering to work numerous events, sports boosters and giving a variety of talks to students on missions and lay discipleship.

He is a wonderful example of someone who has committed his life to doing God’s work through his work with the Diocese of Jefferson City, the people of Peru and various other mission works.

Dana Wilbers

Dana Wilbers is the daughter of Chris and Emily Luebbering. She is married to Gary Wilbers. They have three children: Christopher, Adam, and Elle.

Mrs. Wilbers is a 1988 graduate of Fatima High School in Westphalia, where she was involved in marching band, FHA member and officer, the National Honor Society and CYO officer.

She attended the University of Missouri in Columbia, studying animal science from 1988-1991, and then received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in May 1995.

She worked as a veterinarian for Bishop Avenue Veterinary Hospital in Rolla, and Missouri and Westside Veterinary Clinic in Jefferson City.

She is currently self-employed with her husband, Gary, at Ascend Business Strategies and also works occasionally doing relief veterinary work.

She is a member of St. Stanislaus parish in Wardsville, where she has served as a previous member of the St. Stanislaus School Board, an officer with the St. Stanislaus Home and School, Ladies Sodality and an NCYC chaperone and has assisted with the Scrip Program.

Her community involvement includes volunteering with Special Olympic Missouri, as a Board member of Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross, and previously as a Samaritan Center volunteer.

Her involvement with Helias Catholic includes heading the Planning Committee for Concessions at the Crusader Sports Complex; serving as vice president and president of Helias’ Parents’ Club; volunteering in the office at Helias Catholic High School; and assisting with various activities such as Just Desserts, the football program, the spring musical, March for Life, and Grandparents Day.

Peggy Rogers

Peggy Rogers is the daughter of Jack and Lorraine Kehoe. She is married to Mike Rogers. They have three sons: Kevin Rogers, Brian Rogers (Courtney), and Sean Rogers (Jessica). They have one granddaughter: Lochlyn Rogers.

Mrs. Rogers graduated from Rosati Kain High School in St. Louis in 1976 and played basketball all four years.

She then attended Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas.

She worked for St. Joseph Cathedral School for four years and has been the school secretary at Helias Catholic High School for the past 15 years.

She and her husband are members of Cathedral of St. Joseph parish in Jefferson City, where she served as co-chairwoman the Annual Christmas Bazar and volunteered with the Home and School Organization and with the cooks in the kitchen.

She volunteered at St. Joseph Cathedral School from 1995-1999 and was then offered a job to work in the office, where she was employed until her employment at Helias in 2003.

Her involvement at Helias Catholic goes above and beyond her role as school secretary. She volunteers behind the scenes and after work hours to help in any way she can, especially with clubs and organizations at Helias.

Mrs. Rogers has been awarded the St. Martha Award from Helias Catholic High School for service to the school and the community.

Her willingness to help where needed extends to her dedication and assistance with Foundation events including Grandparents Day, Annual Golf Tournament, Homecoming 5K, and the Hall of Fame.

She also attends numerous athletic and music events to support the students.

She has been christened as “every Helias Catholic High School students’ “mom” and “the heartbeat of Helias.”