The St. Thomas Aquinas High School Lux in Tenebris (“Light in Darkness”) Award was established in 2006 to honor members of the St. Thomas Aquinas High School community who have made significant and enduring contributions to humanity. Humanitarian acts aimed at alleviating suffering and helping to build a just world lie at the heart of this award.
There are many things in this world that are illustrations of “light in darkness.” That moment in class when a teacher says or does something that turns a young student towards his or her future. A hand reaching out to comfort someone in distress or mourning. A kind word of encouragement during a moment of uncertainty. These and similar acts bring hope or truth or courage in times of need.
But perhaps no light in darkness is more powerful than one that brings life into a world in need of goodness. No light is more giving and caring than that of a mother.
Ruthie Ford is an individual who embodies the concept of motherhood in all its challenges, struggles…and glories.
For not only is Ruthie the mother of six children – Patrick, Julie, Shawn, Kenneth, Bruce and Timothy – all of whom are St. Thomas Aquinas Alumni. Not only is Ruthie the mother-in-law of two other STA alums, Susan Worrell Ford and Pollyanna Gould Ford. And not only is she the grandmother of three St. Thomas Aquinas High School graduates – Ashlee, Lauren and this year’s graduate, Connor.
But Ruthie Ford has smoothed the road towards new life for countless others over the decades.
In the 1960’s, she began taking into her home expectant mothers in need of shelter. Working in collaboration with Catholic Charities, she counseled and taught mothering skills to them, and saw to it that they received the necessary prenatal care. Understand that this was at a time when there was a stigma to single motherhood…but one that could be erased by the nurturing love and support of someone like Ruthie Ford.
Beginning in the mid-1970’s, Ruthie started volunteering at Seacoast Birthright, a pregnancy-counseling center started by Mary Paige. In 1987, Ruthie became the Regional Director of Seacoast Birthright for both New Hampshire and Vermont and started the annual Mother’s Day Flower Sale at local parishes as a fundraiser.
The list goes on: In the late 1970’s, Ruthie was one of the founders of the New Hampshire Engaged Encounter for marriage preparation. In addition, she taught marriage preparation for the Diocese at the Christian Life Center in Durham, NH. She serves on several committees for New Hampshire Catholic Charities, she is an officer and director of the Bishop’s Charitable Assistance Fund, raising over 2 million dollars for distribution to small social service groups throughout the state of NH.
But perhaps her key accomplishment was arranging for the donation of a home in Greenland, NH that became New Generation.
As a co-founder of this center for homeless pregnant women, Ruthie has assured that new life continues to come into the world and enrich us all. New Generation celebrated its 25th anniversary this year. To date, 407 women have lived at New Generation and 268 babies have been born to New Generation moms.
Many people can look back throughout their lives at the wonderful memories, great accomplishments and moments of pure joy that God’s greatest gift provides. But for Ruthie Ford, there is also a singular group of people who can look back and point to the person who made those memories, accomplishments and joys a reality.
Ruthie Ford has many children. Some of them are hers by birth, some of them are hers by marriage, some by blood…and some by virtue of her commitment to her Catholic faith and the love for those in need.
To all of them, she is Mom.
Surrounded by her family at her Rye home, St. Thomas Aquinas High School Principal Kevin Collins and Alumni Director Brian Harrison announced Ruthie as recipient of the 2012 St. Thomas Aquinas Lux in Tenebris Award.
The award will be presented at the St. Thomas Aquinas High School commencement ceremony on Sunday, June 10 at noon.
Located in Dover, NH, St. Thomas Aquinas High School is a coeducational, Catholic high school community where young people are called to be challenged academically, to stretch their hearts spiritually and to embark on a journey to make a difference. For more information, visit us atwww.stalux.org or call (603) 742-3206.
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