Ida Mae Bass Honored
Our Apartment Resident, Ida Mae Bass, who was a lifetime parishioner of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Germantown, was recognized for her dedication and service to her parish community. Surrounded by her family and friends, Ida Mae received the St. Vincent de Paul Award during Sunday Mass on September 27, 2021.
Ida Mae & John Bass
Ida’s story was told by an old friend who witnessed how Ida exemplified the virtues of St. Vincent Paul over the years. She was born in Germantown, the second of 11 children, on June 29, 1930, but was unable to attend St. Vincent’s School because she was “colored.” This turned out to be a blessing because Ida attended St. Catherine’s where she learned from Mother Katherine Drexel herself that she had a choice: to be a victim of racism or to live the Gospel for the Body of Christ. Ida chose to embrace the latter way and follow the example of St. Vincent de Paul. She and her husband, John, raised their four children with simplicity, humility, mortification, meekness, and zeal.
Over the years, Ida was a very involved member of her parish. Her friend went on to say: “Both Mother Katherine and St. Vincent could be proud of the way Ida imitated them as she brought the loving presence of Christ to everyone she met. She helped make the St. Vincent de Paul Parish community a place where everyone is welcome.”
Eventually, Ida went to night school to become a nurse and, as her friend put it, “She gave respectful, tender care to elderly Vincentian priests at The Miraculous Medal Shrine for over 26 years.”
On June 9, 2017, Ida joined the family at Holy Family Home. With the parishioners of St. Vincent de Paul Church, we add our heartfelt thanks to Ida for her love, her kindness, and her friendship!
