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The Archdiocesan Catechetical Office, marking its 30th anniversary this year, honored many longtime leaders and collaborators at its annual certification and recognition ceremony Nov. 17 in the chapel at Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers in Ossining.
Presiding at a service with Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction was Msgr. Edward Weber, director of priest personnel in the archdiocese.
The Terence Cardinal Cooke Award, given to catechetical leaders, clergy, parish directors and coordinators of religious education and others directly involved in catechetical leadership, was awarded to six recently retired pastors in the archdiocese: Msgr. James J. Dorney, St. Peter’s, Staten Island, and co-vicar of Staten Island; Msgr. Howard W. Calkins, Sacred Heart, Mount Vernon; Msgr. Neil A. Connolly, St. Mary’s, Grand Street, Manhattan; Father Gerard P. Travers, St. Patrick’s, Highland Mills; Msgr. Joseph A. Martin, St. Mary Mother of the Church, Fishkill; and Father John F. Quinn, St. Patrick’s, Armonk.
The Cardinal Cooke Award, named for the late Archbishop of New York who founded the Catechetical Office, attests to extraordinary commitment, support and leadership in handing on the faith with excellence.
The Good Shepherd Award is given to those serving in the catechetical ministry whose life and service have demonstrated the spirit of Jesus the Good Shepherd.
Receiving the award were:
•Gary Texter, Our Lady of the Assumption, Bloomingburg, for promoting adult faith formation and the RCIA in his parish and region, and for his faithful service to the Archdiocesan Adult Faith Formation Advisory Council.
•Sister Deanna Sabetta, C.N.D., Archdiocesan Office of Strategic Pastoral Planning, for her dedication to fostering vocations to religious life, for her ministry to children and youth, and for her unfailing generosity of time and creativity in helping the Catechetical Office fulfill its mission.
•Msgr. Robert Ritchie, rector, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Manhattan, for his hospitality and assistance to the Catechetical Office and for his support of the New York Catholic Bible School.
•Msgr. John Ruvo, retired pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the Bronx, for his determination to provide the best possible catechesis to his parish and for dedicating a building specifically to parish religious education: the Bishop Pernicone Catechetical Center.
•Joan Fuhrman, information technology manager, Archdiocese of New York, for putting technology at the service of the Church’s mission to evangelize, baptize and catechize.
The John Cardinal O’Connor Award is given to catechetical leaders, clergy, parish directors and coordinators of religious education, and others involved in ministry with persons with disabilities.
•Irene Kollar, Our Lady of Fatima, Scarsdale, for her longstanding dedication and service to persons with disabilities in her parish and in neighboring communities.
•Elizabeth Brim, St. Joseph-St. Thomas, Staten Island, for helping to make her parish a welcoming place for persons with disabilities and for being instrumental in the establishment of a regularly scheduled Mass for them and their loved ones.
•Marlene Petrides, St. Charles, Staten Island, for reflecting “the God of inclusion” in her determination to provide all Catholics, especially those with disabilities, the finest catechetical resources.
•Maureen Zeiss, St. Francis of Assisi, West Nyack, for creating a community of welcome for more than 40 children with disabilities and their parents, while raising parish awareness of their right to the finest in catechesis.
The Catechetical Office’s Medal of Honor was presented to the following generous women of the Church, who as catechetical leaders and catechists have supported, promoted and offered dedicated service to the catechetical ministry for 25 years or more in the archdiocese.
Distinguished Catechetical Leader
Nancy Nelson, 45 years, coordinator of religious education, Transfiguration, Tarrytown.
Pat Manuli. 35 years, director of religious education, St. Mary’s, Wappingers Falls
Archdiocesan Catechetical Office Staff Member
Sister Zelide M. Ceccagno, M.S.C.S., 25 years, regional director, Central/Southern Westchester
Parish Catechists
Mary Gorman, 59 years, Transfiguration, Tarrytown
Rosemary Prehm, 30 years, Holy Child, Staten Island
Mary Ann Patisso, 27 years, St. Francis of Assisi, West Nyack
Sarah Belair, 25 years, St. Joseph’s, Bronxville
Catherine Canzian, 25 years, St. Catherine Laboure, Lake Katrine
Ana Caro, 25 years, Our Lady of Esperanza, Manhattan
Fran O’Gara, 25 years, St. Francis of Assisi, West Nyack
Elizabeth Gruffi, 25 years, St. Francis of Assisi, West Nyack
Mary Ellen Hetsko, 25 years, St. Columbanus, Cortlandt Manor
Susan Quarato, 25 years, St. Columbanus, Cortlandt Manor
Miriam Richardson, 25 years, St. Anthony’s, Bronx
Ernestina Martell, 25 years, St. Anthony’s, Bronx
Myrna Mendez, 25 years, St. Anthony’s, Bronx
Rosemary Tanner, 25 years, St. Mary’s, Poughkeepsie
