Catechists honored for leaving “indelible mark” on parish communities across the Archdiocese at St. Pius X Award Dinner
By Mary Powers
Nearly 250 catechists, priests and parishioners gathered on Thursday, May 4, to celebrate those who selflessly give of their time, treasure, and talent to form souls in faith formation programs in parishes across the Archdiocese. The St. Pius X Dinner honors the many volunteers who form adults, youth, and children in the faith and as disciples of Jesus Christ.
“Your tireless dedication and commitment to pastoral duties have touched countless lives and have left an indelible mark on the communities that you serve in the Archdiocese of San Francisco,” said Sister Celeste Arbuckle, SSS, director of the Office of Faith Formation.. “Your faith in God and your deep love for God’s people have been evident in every day of your pastoral ministry.”
At the dinner, the guests were honored with several awards including the St. Pius X Award for years of service, ranging from five years to 48 years; the Parish Catechetical Leader Award; and the Youth Service Award, presented to high school seniors who have exemplified a strong dedication of service in catechetical programs.
Laura Bertone, director of the Office of Worship for the Archdiocese spoke to the parish leaders on the important connection between catechesis and the sacraments.
“I thank you for what you do, and what you do enriches the people of God,” Bertone said. “You need catechesis to lead to the celebration of all the sacraments, and the sacraments are what flow then down to living our faith and…continuing to grow in our faith. And if you don’t have either of those things, they fall apart.”
Cover picture: Eleanor Breite from St. Augustine Church receives a St. Pius Award for 48 years of service.
Directors Awards:
Sister Noreen O’Connor, C.S.J.
St. Monica-St. Thomas the Apostle Parish
Sister Delia Obenza, O.P.
Holy Angels Church
Five Years:
San Francisco County:
Corpus Christi Church
Connie Ramos Custodio
Mission Dolores Church
Sean Harvey
Eddie Posadas
Serena Fong
St. John the Evangelist Church
Linda Catalano
Isabel Olivares
St. Brendan Church
Merry Jean Chan
Mary Spellman Brady 7 years
San Mateo County
Church of the Good Shepherd
Lorna Poespowidjojo
Holy Angels Church
Sister Merle Lebaquin, O.P.
Alice Paz Grimes
Mater Dolorosa Church
Lenie Alvarez
Isabel Aguirre
Our Lady of Angels Church
Margaux Ty
Richard Rabara
St. Augustine Church
Matthew Diaz
St. Bruno Church
Sini Lehauli
Mike Osborne 7 years
St. Dunstan Church
Marvin Laubacher
St. Matthew Church
Angela Alvarez
Margarita Martinez 6 years
Miroslava Solmeron 6 years
Saribel Velilla 6 years
Renee Fisher 6 years
Josie Omolayole 8 years
St. Raymond Church
Lauren Destino-Gross
Gabriel Sanchez
Kelly Powers
Mark Powers
Ten Years
San Francisco County
St. Boniface Church
Vy-Anh Le 12 years
Quy Nguyen 12 years
St. Brendan Church
Liza Catubig-Bonpin
Christina Bui 12 years
St. Monica/St. Thomas the Apostle Church
Bonnie Wong
Marin County
St. Patrick, Larkspur
Chris Miloslavich
San Mateo County
St. Augustine Church
Narcisa Patio
Annette Belmessieri
St. Bruno Church
Lourdes Serratos 11 years
Holy Angels Church
Regina Morabe
Jerome Luna
Dulce Paradero
Ella De Peralta
Our Lady of Angels
Beth Maxwell
St. Matthew Church
Maria Torres
St. Raymond Church
Thomas Sullivan Sr.
Judith Roach
Fifteen Years
San Francisco County
St. Brendan Church
Stacey Simpson 16 years
St. Boniface Church
Martha Nguyen
St. John the Evangelist Church
Ana Castillo
Aura Escoto
St. Monica-Thomas the Apostle Church
Agnes Tung
Marin County
St. Patrick, Larkspur
Terry Lee Joe Meylan
San Mateo
St. Augustine Church
Noel Panelo
Noemi Diaz
St. Bruno Church
Yolanda Ojeda
Holy Angels Church
Aurora Arellano
Our Lady of Angels Church
Ana Lyons
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church
Demetria Barrozo
St. Raymond Church
Timothy Harris
Twenty Years
San Francisco County
St. Boniface Church
Loi Huynh
St. John the Evangelist Church
America Romero
Marin County
St. Sebastian Church
Tom Harris
San Mateo County
St. Augustine Church
Linda F. Gamboa
Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Mary Fox
Twenty Five Years
San Francisco County
Corpus Christi Church
Yamilet Gudiel Ortega
St Monica- St. Thomas the Apostle Church
Isabelle Molloy
Teresa Lai
Marin County
St. Sebastian Church
Marian Previtali
San Mateo County
St. Augustine Church
Cynthia Lozano
Khay Acosta
Lillian Mutas
Our Lady of Angels
Dorene Campanile
St. Veronica Church
Sandra Zicke
Andy Murney (RIP)
Thirty Years
St. Veronica Church
Lorna Feria
Bud Feria
Church of the Good Shepherd
Barbara Molinari
St. Elizabeth Church
Laurrie Digneo
Forty Years
St. Augustine Church
Nerissa Broas
St. Veronica Church
Joan Thelen
Parish Catechetical Award
Lourdes Yniguez Gallo, All Souls Church, 5 years
Margarita Mena, St. Boniface Church, 5 years
Neriann I. Miranda, St. Raymond Church, 5 years
Robyn Lang, Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, 5 years
Sr. Delia Obenza, OP, Holy Angels Church, 10 years
Deacon Ferdinand Mariano, St. Patrick Church, SF , RCIA Director,
10 years
Teresita Contreras, St. Matthew Church, 13 years
Foundational Training Certification
Jacob Tolentino — CRE
St. Bartholomew Church
Delenne Franco — Youth Minister,
St. Dunstan Church
Dan Veto — DRE,
St. Anselm Church
RenaeLeen Ricasata — CRE,
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church
Laurrie Digneo — DRE,
St. Elizabeth Church
Youth Service Award
Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Michael Ladcani
Gavin Grivas
Corpus Christi Church
Sandra Gabriela
Ramos Chavez
Our Lady of Angels Church
Mimi Cacciato
Gieselle Castillo
Arriana Cruz
Emily Geraghty
Emma Hanson
Nancy Santizo-Teista
Ashley Witherspoon
St. Charles Church
Augustin Scherrer
St. Raymond Church
JohnPaul Mitiguy
Adrian Reynold Wilson
Photos: Dennis Callahan, Archdiocese of San Francisco.