Benedictine honored Cecilia Baatz, volunteer at Benedictine Living Community-Crookston, as the 2025 Volunteer of the Year. The Benedictine Volunteer of the Year award recognizes an individual who models the Benedictine Mission and Core Values and has been generous in their service to a Benedictine Living Community.
Baatz is a treasured volunteer with inexhaustible energy and a passion to serve all humbly and cheerfully. She is part of the daily life at Benedictine Crookston in many ways. She serves helping residents in prayer and reflection, participates in sing-a-longs and Bingo, plays the piano for Memory Care activities and memorial services, and acts as a Communion minister bringing the Blessed Sacrament to those unable to attend Mass.
Baatz also serves on the Benedictine Crookston Auxiliary Board, is always seeking new members to help out and leads fundraisers. In 2022, she was honored as the Polk County Senior Citizen of the Year. “Cecilia is very devoted to her faith and the residents at Benedictine and the Summit AL,” said Lindsey Erdman, Executive Director of Benedictine Crookston. “ She is a ray of sunshine throughout our halls, always willing to lend a willing hand whether it is Spiritual Care, parties or even helping in the gardens. We are so blessed to have her.”
Pastor Bill Humiston adds, “Cecilia is a dynamo of Spiritual Care energy! She diligently sees to it that all our Catholic community receives care, whether prayer, Eucharist, or an invitation to services. But she doesn’t limit herself to our Catholics; she abounds in genuine love for all our residents, whether they need prayer, encouragement, or a quiet presence. If love has a physical form, it would be shaped like Ceci!”
Benedictine Living Community–Crookston invites the public to a special celebration honoring Cecilia Baatz, The event will take place on Thursday, November 7, at 2:00 p.m., in the 240 Dining Room.