Teachers and leaders honored
Catechists and parish catechetical leaders of long service were honored May 14 at annual St. Pius X Awards ceremonies. Auxiliary Bishop William J. Justice presided at a prayer service opening the evening at St. Anne of the Sunset Church in San Francisco.
More than 2,000 men and women volunteer their time as teachers and aides in parish religious education programs serving almost 19,000 public and other non-Catholic school students in the Archdiocese of San Francisco.
"Catechists and Parish Catechetical Leaders are an integral part of the Archdiocese's effort to proclaim the Gospel," Social Service Sister Celeste Arbuckle, director of Religious Education and Youth Ministry, told Catholic San Francisco in conversation preceding the event. "The parish is the preeminent place for the catechesis to happen and the time, talent and treasure of these people gift us with the knowing of Jesus Christ and the Church. I think so often of how many lives have been touched by these special people. To see people giving 5, 10, 25, 40 years of service to their parish ministry of catechesis is awe inspiring."
Sister Celeste called catechists disciples. "We are especially called in the catechetical ministry to live out the role of our discipleship. How grateful I am for the many people in this ministry," she said. "They are indeed ‘living saints on earth.'"
Director's Awards were presented to Father Jack O'Neill, pastor, Sacred Heart Parish in Olema; Father Mario Farana, pastor, St. Paul Parish in San Francisco; Father Daniel Maguire, pastor, St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in San Francisco, and Passionist Sister Rafaela Ojeda Aguilar, director of Religious Education for the Spanish-speaking at Our Lady of the Pillar Parish in Half Moon Bay. The recognition "is given to individuals who have served the needs of the catechetical community in the Archdiocese of San Francisco in a special way outside of their ordinary ministry to the Church," according to a note in the evening's program.
The evening was dedicated to the late Sister Maria de la Cruz Aymes of the Society of Helpers and a 2001 winner of the Director's Award. Sister Maria, who died April 25 in Chicago, was author of the "On Our Way" series of religious education texts, a work that is claimed to have changed the face of teaching the faith in the American Church. It was announced that a memorial Mass for Sister Maria will be said June 8 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's Cathedral.
Sister Julie O'Neill, a Sister of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was honored for her more than 30 years of service in the Archdiocese most notably in Religious Education for special needs persons. Surprise recognition was also given to Sister Celeste for her years as leader of the Religious Education program in the Archdiocese.
In remarks following the awards presentation, Bishop Justice praised catechists and religious education leaders of the Archdiocese. "Thank you for the ministry you share," he told them "Your gift of sharing the faith inspires others to want to live the Lord's way."
The evening's honorees included:
PARISH CATECHETICAL LEADERS
Loy Banez, Director of Religious Education, Church of the Epiphany, 5 years; Michele Bussey, Director of Religious Education, St. Andrew Parish, Daly City, 25 years; Tami Paladino, Youth Minister, St. Charles Parish, San Carlos, 17 years; Sheree Leone, Director of Religious Education, St. Dunstan Parish, Millbrae, 12 years; Holy Names Sister Diane Nixon, Director of Religious Education, St. Peter Parish, Pacifica, 20 years.
CATECHISTS
MARIN COUNTY
Our Lady of Loretto Parish
Marie Craig, Donna Morris, Steve Morris, Eva Richards, Paul Shermantine, 5 years; Jan Kerr, Mike Felding, 10 years.
St. Anthony of Padua Parish
Gael Ayala, Mary Leet-Dalton, Ted Dillon, Kathi Landi, Kathy Lese, 5 years; Benita Stevenson, Katie Petcavich, Hermes Ford, Sherry Holmes, Katrina Hopkins, 10 years; Julie Vavuris, 15 years; Isabella Michon, 20 years.
St. Isabella Parish
Zaida Aronovsky, Christine Jones, Molly Tackaberry, Karen Tachihara-Hill, Brian Dinday, 5 years; John Sassani, 10 years.
St. Raphael Parish
Kathy Murray, Betty Mulryan, 5 years; Alex Rodriguez, 10 years; Ana Mendoza, 12 years; Maria Banos, Margarita Barajas, Teresa Ruiz, 13 years; Maria Renteria, 15 years; Teresa Juarez, 20 years.
SAN FRANCISCO
Church of the Epiphany
Maria Julia Chirino, Betty Dean, Bernadette Perez, 5 years; John Mills 10 years.
Church of the Visitacion
Helenal Sandoval, 5 years
St. John the Evangelist Parish
Sonia Urquilla, 25 years
St. Mary's Cathedral
Marta Morazan, 7 years; Ignacio Huerta, Rosario Morales, 9 years; Justina Velez, 10 years
St. Patrick Parish
Jose Ferrer, Maricon Almendras, Iris Mae Elham, 5 years; Estrellita Perez, 10 years; Bert Albano, Judy Labaria, 25 years
St. Paul Parish
Jaime Morales, 5 years; Kay Kelly, 6 years; Alba Mejia, Marilyn Capwell, 15 years
St. Stephen Parish
Linda Collantes, Susie Desmond, 7 years; Theresa McGovern, 12 years
SAN MATEO COUNTY
Church of the Good Shepherd
Mildred Biery, 5 years
Church of the Nativity
Shirley Sachs, 15 years
Holy Angels Parish
Gus Pangan, 15 years; Dianne Chiappari, 30 years
Mater Dolorosa Parish
Lucille Casey, 15 years
Our Lady of Angels Parish
Diane Creedon, 5 years
Our Lady of Mercy Parish
Tita Mendoza, Lena Juan, Estela Maracha, 5 years; Barbara Celaya, 11 years
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish
Jasef Casas, Joanna Soriano, Rhea Struve, Ronel Mallari, Demetria Barrozo, Clarita Benitez, 5 years; Carmelita Untalan, Marirose Macaraig, 10 years; Adelaida canlas, Evelyn M. Villegas, 20 years; Estrellita P. Castillo, 25 years
Our Lady of the Pillar Parish
Gwen Guisti, Katie Hoelzel, Liza Morford, Janie Dilena, Julie McGowan, Robin Murphy, Kevin Murphy, Sandra Adreini, Kalei Ching, 5 years; Maria Villegas, Isabel Guzman, Jorge Guzman, Ramon Sonqui, Carlos Rivera, Celina Rivera, Sulema Villalobos, 6 years; Gloria Cortez, 8 years; Claudia Miramontes, 10 years; Carolina Martinez, 15 years; Connie Sarabia, 20 years
St. Andrew Parish
Linda Tejada, 20 years
St. Augustine Parish
Nini Devera, Florentina Maclan, Florio Mazares, 5 years; Mediatrix Valera, 6 years
St. Bartholomew Parish
Christina Benages, Anna Levaggi, 5 years; Danette Magilligan, 10 years
St. Bruno Parish
Daisy Marcenario, Paz Rizo, 5 years; Yolanda Ojeda, 6 years; Teresa Navarro, 10 years
St. Charles Parish
Virginia Marans, Jean Sebring, Christina Simpson, Anthiny Vassallo, Alex Cromosini, Eric Cromosini, 5 years; Lana Greco, Judy Ansaldi, 7 years; Alison Spong, 9 years; Sonia Bon, 10 years; Joanne Cromosini, 15 years; Sharon Branaman, 17 years; Bob Farkas, 22 years; Carolyn Tamony, 25 years; Nancy Farrant, 31 years
St. Dunstan Parish
Roselyn Pallas, Rosy Zucchiati, 5 years; Jennifer De Battista, 6 years; Terry Gurtiza, Lisa De Santolo, 7 years; Margaret Wyman, 8 years; Joe Sigona, 20 years; Frances Sigona, 45 years
St. Luke Parish
Mayela Kelly, Kathleen Richman, Kevin McGill, Mary McGill, 10 years; Paulette Bundy, 15 years; Tom Poeschl, 20 years
St. Mark Parish
Mary Ames, 20 years; Martha Rubio, 30 years
St. Matthias Parish
Lynn Pierce, Gail Thompson, Susan Torres, 5 years
St. Peter Parish
Laura Novello, 5 years; Kathleen Bissel; Sheree Cutler, 15 years
St. Robert Parish
Megan Gilfillan, Natalie Esposto, Michelle Brazil, 5 years
St. Timothy Parish
Denise Allen, Maria Abbott, 15 years; Ana Park, 32 years
By Tom Burke From May 22, 2009 issue of Catholic San Francisco.
