Top, the honorees gather with the bishop and Msgr. McGrath, Vicar General; Bishop Joseph Galante, with Father Robert Hughes, diocesan chancellor, and Deacon Michael Carter, presents a certificate to Kevin Hickey, executive director of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden. Bottom left, Bishop Galante presents Nancy Rocereto with her certificate; right, Deacon Leo McBlain.
Evening Prayer and Celebration of the Conferral of Ecclesiastical Honors took place Nov. 4 at Our Lady of Hope Parish in Blackwood, where Bishop Joseph Galante presented a medal and certificate to 15 individuals in the Diocese of Camden, recognizing them for their service.
Nine were conferred into The Order of St. Gregory, presented by the Holy See in recognition of outstanding service to the Church. Two other papal honors, the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross and the Benemerenti Medal, were awarded for outstanding service to the church.
The honorees:
Knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great
Reginald Beckett, Knights of Columbus leader
Dr. Frank Blee, former director of evangelization for the diocese
William Campbell, well-known sportscaster
Frank D’Elia, retired carpenter, church volunteer
Mark D’Onofrio, member of diocesan Building Commission and other Catholic organizations
William Murray, diocesan CFO
Dame of the Order of St. Gregory the Great
Rita Bernert, assistant administrator to Bishop Galante
Dr. Christine Kimler, D.O., past president of South Jersey Catholic Medical Association
Nancy Rocereto, social worker and member of diocesan Planning Commission,
Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross
Sister Helen Cole, SSJ, Guadalupe Family Services
John Desparrois, Catholic Charities
Kevin Hickey, Catholic Charities
Deacon Leo McBlain, director of diocesan Office of the Diaconate
Sister Marilyn Vollmer, SSM, former director of diocesan Planning Office
Benemerenti Medal
Jennifer Dyer, Catholic Charities.