Mrs. Judy Amberg recently celebrated 50 years of service to both Saint Viator and Sacred Heart of Mary high schools, but an even bigger celebration awaited her on Sunday. That’s when President Fr. Daniel Lydon, CSV, ’73 dedicated the Campus Ministry Office in Amberg’s name.
“Judy has made a tremendous contribution to our community by her presence in times of both sorrow and joy,” Fr. Lydon says. “She continues to support our efforts to build our relationships with our alumni, past parents and current families."
The dedication took place after the first Family Mass of the Academic Year, when freshmen and their families were given a special blessing. Afterwards, people at the Mass lined the hallways to applaud Amberg as she made her way to the Judy Amberg Ministry Center.
Amberg described the event as a celebration for the entire Saint Viator/Sacred Heart of Mary community, which is a “community of faith committed to learning, service, and supporting each other."
“The 50 years was spanned with a graduate from the first SHM graduating Class of 1974,” Amberg said, “to a member of the Class of 2027, whose parents I taught at Saint Viator. I keep saying, ‘I am humbled, touched, and very grateful!’“
Holding flowers and smiling from ear to ear, Amberg’s joy was contagious. Among the guests on hand were former administration members who had worked with Amberg, including Fr. Charles Bolser, CSV, former Saint Viator President when Amberg was hired.
Another special group were the Sacred Heart alumnae who came out to support Amberg. A big part of her role in working with alumni has been to keep the Sacred Heart graduates engaged and feel a part of the larger Saint Viator Sacred Heart of Mary Alumni Association.
“The constant throughout my time at both schools has been the blessing of working with dedicated and talented people,” Amberg says, “and being a part of a faith-filled, supporting, and loving community of alumni, students, parents and co-workers."
Amberg originally was hired as an associate principal at Sacred Heart of Mary, in 1973. She would retain that role, and teach religion at the school, for the next 14 years before getting hired at the newly merged Saint Viator High School.
Since 1987, she has served as chair of the religion department in the new school, before working in the Campus Ministry office, and ultimately being named Director of Alumni Relations.
Officially retired since 2008, she continues to volunteer countless hours on behalf of the alumni of both schools and provides valuable support and history to the last four alumni directors. In that role, Amberg now is recognized as Director of Alumni Relations Emeritus.
During the celebration, Fr. Bolser presented a check to school officials to establish the
Judy Amberg Campus Ministry Fund. This named scholarship is intended to allow alumni and friends to make gifts specifically to Campus Ministry that will be used to help students with financial need so they can attend any Campus Ministry events, such as Kairos or Quest. The fund also will support any additional needs for the department.