Bishop Byrne, Many Others Cited for Catechetical Ministry

The Archdiocesan Catechetical Office honored longtime catechetical leaders and catechists at its annual certification and award ceremony Nov. 16 at Maryknoll in Ossining.

The Terence Cardinal Cooke Award, named after the late Archbishop of New York who founded the Catechetical Office, attests to extraordinary commitment, support and leadership in handing on the faith. It was presented to Auxiliary Bishop Peter Byrne, episcopal vicar of Dutchess, Putnam and Northern Westchester; Father Bartholomew Daly, M.H.M., pastor of Our Lady of Peace parish, Manhattan; and Msgr. Thomas Leonard, pastor emeritus of Holy Trinity parish, Manhattan.

The Good Shepherd Award, given to those serving in catechetical ministry who live in the spirit of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, was presented to:

• Joanne Cunneen has served for many than 20 years as director of the interparish religious education program at St. Ignatius Loyola parish, Manhattan, which serves children and families from East Manhattan’s parishes. She was awarded the National Association of Parish Catechetical Directors Religious Education Educational Excellence award in 1996.

• Denise Enright, the coordinator of religious education at St. Teresa’s parish on Staten Island, from 1984 until her retirement this year. She served both the school and religious education program there and organized Communion and Confirmation retreats.

• Ann Kearney served as administrative assistant to the director and financial consultant in the Archdiocesan Catechetical Office, from 1985 until her retirement this year.

• Sister Mary McCarthy, P.B.V.M., is director of adult faith formation and Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) at Sacred Heart parish in Newburgh. She also facilitates Bible study groups, instructs children preparing for the sacraments, chairs the RCIA network of the Upper Counties and is a member of the Archdiocesan RCIA Advisory Council.

• Geri Sciortino, the owner of The Bronx Design Group.

The John Cardinal O’Connor Award, given to catechetical leaders and others involved in ministry with persons with disabilities, was presented to: Elizabeth Sullivan, coordinator of special religious education at St. Patrick’s parish in Highland Mills, and Maria Lamorgese, coordinator of religious education at St. Francis Xavier parish in the Bronx.

The Medal of Honor was presented to parish catechists who have dedicated more than 25 years of service in the archdiocese. Honored were: Robert Patterson, Transfiguration, Tarrytown, 70 years; Anita Schultz, St. Catharine of Alexandria, Blauvelt, 50 years; Jacqueline Cronin, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Elmsford, 44 years; Irene Kollar Our Lady of Fatima, Scarsdale, and Tina Silvestro Blessed Sacrament, Manhattan, both 35 years; Marie Dunigan, Our Lady Help of Christians, Staten Island, Gloria Agro, Transfiguration, Tarrytown, and Maryrita Opperman, Our Lady of Sorrows, White Plains, all 30 years. Gail Baumann, Infant Savior, Pine Bush, and Mary Ann O’Connor, Sacred Heart, Patterson, both 29 years; Marge Evangelisto, St. Mary’s, Marlboro and John Opperman, Our Lady of Sorrows, White Plains, both 27 years; and Jo-Ann D’Alessio, St. Cecilia’s, Manhattan; Nancy Gallo, St. John Neumann, Staten Island; Teresa Ann Heim, St. Francis of Assisi, West Nyack; Isabell Parsons, Holy Family, Staten Island; Agatha Pon, St. Denis, Hopewell Junction; and Joseph Salerno, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Manhattan, all for 25 years.

Papal Blessings were awarded to catechists who, after receiving the Medal of Honor, continued their service in catechetical ministry. They were given for more than 50 years of service to Sister Margaret Breslin, O.P., Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Tappan; and for 50 years to Anita Schultz, St. Catharine of Alexandria, Blauvelt. It was awarded for 40 years to Eileen Maguire, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Tappan; for more than 35 years to Sister Rose O’Rourke, O.P. Sacred Heart, Monroe; for more than 30 years to Alice Chyla, St. John Neumann, Staten Island; Margaret Hoblin, St. Paul’s, Bullville; and Jean Varisco, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Tappan; and for 30 years to Marie Dunigan, Our Lady Help of Christians, Staten Island; Elizabeth Ann Menchen, St. John the Baptist, Yonkers; and Pamela Rennia, St. Stanislaus Kostka, Pleasant Valley.