LEFT to RIGHT: 1951: Sergeant First Class and Instructor in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC), U.S. Army Graduation from master’s degree in education program from Antioch University Regular lector at St. Vincent’s parish the parish a more welcoming place for all.”
settled in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, where the Rogers children attended St. Vincent de Paul School situated alongside the church. Kim recalls a happy childhood in which her parents served on numerous school-related groups and programs. At home, Evelyn was always organizing fun activities for the children, as well as the neighborhood friends.
dynamic presence and leadership. “Evelyn was well-educated, feisty, and determined,” Br. Al says. “She always had a passion for St. Vincent’s, the community, and racial and social justice.”
Religion was a major facet of her life, so when the Rogers family moved to Germantown, they went to St. Vincent’s church to sign up “Our house was always the as new parishioners. At the time, playhouse,” Kimberly says. “Mom ethnic separation—even among would make popcorn, and we churches—was still prevalent. They would watch movies. It was always were told that St. Catherine’s was obvious to us that our family was for “black” parishioners. True to her greatest joy.” her personality, Evelyn stood her ground and insisted she preferred At age 53, Marion lost his battle to to be a member of St. Vincent’s. cancer. While devastated, Evelyn Today, everyone is glad she did. knew she had to hold her family together. She held numerous Evelyn was a faithful motivator positions to support her children, and devoted model parishioner including social worker and at St. Vincent’s. There wasn’t an counselor in the Philadelphia aspect of St. Vincent’s she didn’t School District, and school touch. She not only volunteered counselor and substitute teacher on myriad parish programs, she for several local school districts. initiated several others to benefit not only the parishioners but the Philadelphia community. AMAZING EVELYN Br. Alfred J. Smith, CM (see article on pg. 36), who has conducted his “Evelyn was totally dedicated to the church and God,” says Fr. ministries through St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Germantown for 62 Sylvester Peterka, CM, pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish. “It was years, worked with Evelyn for 50 of those years. He sadly misses her obvious in how she helped make
With gumption and unbridled enthusiasm, Evelyn took her avocation of church and community service to heart, making a difference with ideas and initiatives. One such initiative she created was the Learning Lab, an education program that helped adults learn basic reading and writing skills in preparation for GED completion. She recruited local teachers as volunteer instructors to ensure the students were getting the best education. “She valued education as a means for people to get better jobs and learn how to help themselves,” states Br. Al. Another project she singlehandedly initiated and organized was the church Thrift Shop. When it became apparent to her that many of her fellow parishioners and community members couldn’t afford clothing and other basic daily necessities, she took action. She also taught a nutrition class and partnered with various local companies to help with job placements. She and her husband served as president and vice president of the Home and School Association of St. Vincent’s Hospitality Committee and were members of the church’s pastoral council. She was a long-time Eucharistic Minister, church lector, and member of St. Vincent’s African-American History Group. She acquired public transportation tokens and briefly partnered with Br. Al on his program, Inn Dwelling, a non-profit corporation dedicated to assisting poor families in the Germantown and Northeast sections of Philadelphia on education, housing and career development programs. She also SPRING 2019 | 43
