BLACKWOOD – Calling it “an important moment for the Diocese of Camden,” Bishop Dennis Sullivan presented Bishop’s Medals to 75 honorees for their dedication to Catholic ministry in South Jersey.
“It’s good to recognize [women and men] who deserve recognition, thanks and much love from all of us,” he said at the end of the Solemn Opening Mass for the Synod of Bishops in the Diocese of Camden. (See related story).
As Donna Ottaviano-Britt, diocesan head of the secretariat for Pastoral Outreach, read off the names of those noted for their 10, 25 and 40-plus years of service to the Diocese – as well as those commended for “meritorious service” – recipients approached Bishop Sullivan for a blessing and words of thanks as they received their medals.
“It’s very exciting,” said Russell Brady of Holy Cross Parish in Bridgeton, who was honored for his 25-plus years of service, many of which are in the field of Catholic Scouting. He was nominated by his parish pastor, Father Matthew Weber.
Parish pastors and diocesan ministry directors nominated those who received black (10+ years), blue (25+), or gold ribboned (40+) medals, while Bishop Sullivan nominated those with green ribbon (meritorious service).
One side of the medal includes the words “Year of Saint Joseph” with an image of Joseph and Jesus, while the other side bears the diocesan seal.
Meryl Cerana, pastoral associate/business manager in Mary, Mother of Mercy Parish in Glassboro, was recognized for her 10-plus years of service, courtesy of pastor Father Allain Caparas.
While acknowledging that “it’s great to be recognized,” she said, “I don’t do what I do to get awards, but because I’ve been blessed.”
She added that she was happy to be in the company of the other honorees. “It’s nice to be with people who’ve spent their lives working for the Church.”
Bishop’s Medals are a tradition in her family, as years ago, her mother and father, Julie and Ralph Quickmire, received their own diocesan medals in recognition of their work in Natural Family Planning.
Rose Porcellini, secretary at Catholic Charities for the past 10-plus years, was among those recognized. “It’s a nice, unexpected honor,” she said, quickly adding that her fellow employees, and Catholic Charities clients, also serve as testaments to the award.
List of Honorees
10+ Years (Black)
Anthony Marte, Saint Joseph Pro-Cathedral
C.J. Kennedy, Most Precious Blood Parish
Celia Gutiérrez, Divine Mercy Parish
Deacon Anthony Cioe, Saints Peter and Paul Parish
Elaine Kunigonis, Saint Joseph Catholic Church
Frank McAleer, Holy Family Parish
Gini Baker, Holy Eucharist Parish
Joseph Sosnowsky, Saint Damien Parish
Katherine Boyer, Diocesan Housing Services
Kathy Benton, Christ the Redeemer Parish
Katy Hornikel, Saint Vincent de Paul Parish
Margie Rankin, Diocesan Housing Services
Mary Kay Maley, Blessed Teresa Of Calcutta Parish
Mary McGinley, Mary, Queen of All Saints Parish
Meryl Cerana, Mary Mother of Mercy Parish
Michael Eltham, Catholic Community of Christ Our Light
Regina Butterworth, Saint Margaret Regional School
Richard Macdonald, Infant Jesus Parish
Rose Porcellini, Catholic Charities
Sister Nancy Butler, Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish
Thomas Hauber, Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish
Thomas Smith, Saint Brendan the Navigator Parish
Tony DiMaggio, Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish
25+ Years (Blue)
Anita D’Imperio, Saint Joseph the Worker Parish
Anne Hartman, Christ the King Regional School
Cecelia Payne, Saint Rose of Lima Parish
Dawne Penner, Diocesan Housing Services
Evaristo Fontánez, Saint Simon Stock Parish
F. Mark and Sandra D’Onofrio, Saint Padre Pio Parish
Jack Pfeifer, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish
Jesus Santiago, Saint Gianna Beretta Molla Parish
Joan Dollinger, Assumption Regional Catholic School
Joanne Kelly, Our Lady of the Angels Parish
John “Jack” Kain, Saint Mary Parish, Gloucester City
Karl Tomaszewski, Church of the Incarnation
Kathleen Valla, Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish
Lawrence “Bud” Birmingham, Parish of All Saints
Mark Chapman, Holy Angels Parish
Mary Anne Hutter, Saint Maximilian Kolbe Parish
Dolores Mozzillo, Christ the King Parish
Nicholas Fognano Jr., Saint Mary of Mount Carmel Parish
Russell “Rusty” Brady, Parish of the Holy Cross
Ruth Ann and Bill Baney, Church of the Incarnation
Sr. María de Jesús Herrera Zepeda, Parish of the Holy Cross
Sr. Sheila Murphy, Wildwood Catholic Academy/Cape Trinity School
Susan Stephens, Christ the Good Shepherd Parish
Sylvia Loumeau, Catholic Charities
Theresa Purzycki, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Thomas Clerici, Saint Mary, Cherry Hill
40+ Years (Gold)
Amada Fernández, Saint Gabriel the Archangel
Carlos Roman, Divine Mercy Parish
Carol Bassetti, Christ the Good Shepherd Parish
Daniel McGravey, KHS, and Sherryl McGravey, DHS, Saint Andrew the Apostle Parish
George Lynn, Christ the King Parish
Jean Smith, Divine Mercy Parish
Jennie A. Hadfield, Saint Joseph Parish, Sea Isle City
Joyce Hyndman, Our Lady of Peace Parish
Mary Kelly, Gloucester Catholic High School (retired)
Robert Cavanaugh, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Rosemary Auge, Holy Child Parish
S. Joelle Thren, SCC, Saint Damien Parish
Sister Mary Cronin, D.M., Catholic Charities
Sister Mary Matthew Labunski, Catholic Charities
Trudy Cranston, Our Lady of Hope Parish
Virginia Licata, Holy Family Parish
Meritorious Service (Green)
Anna Summers, Chancery
Carl Peters, Catholic Star Herald
Domenick Renzi, Holy Family Parish
Dolores Orihel, Chancery
Mary Boyle, Catholic Schools
Joe DiFillipo, Diocesan Finance Council
Pat McGrory, Diocesan Finance Council
Jim McBride, Catholic Star Herald
Susan Patullo, Chancery
at the bottom and then tap “Add to Home Screen”
