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The archdiocesan Catechetical Office’s annual Certification and Recognition Ceremony, which honored six catechetical leaders and recognized many catechists, took place on Nov. 15 in the chapel of the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, Ossining.
Auxiliary Bishop Gerald Walsh, vicar for clergy, presided at the afternoon ceremony.
The Terence Cardinal Cooke Award recognizes clergy catechetical leaders, directors and coordinators of religious education, and others directly involved in catechetical leadership. The three honored, all posthumously this year, included the following:
Father Francis Corry was recalled for his dedicated service as a pastor, including most recently at St. Frances of Rome, the Bronx, and as a teacher, and a dedicated educator of catechists in the Catechist Formation Program and at Catechetical Forums. Father Corry died on Sept. 26.
Sister Eileen Burns, O.S.F., was cited “as a walking example of a Franciscan ministry to be a light to the world” in her various ministries as a Catholic school teacher, pastoral associate and director of religious education, beginning as a teacher at Holy Name of Jesus School, New Rochelle, to her final service as a pastoral associate at St. Joseph of the Holy Family parish, Manhattan. Sister Eileen died on Oct. 27.
Linda DeMarkey, who died on Sept, 14, was honored for her work as registrar of the New York Catholic Bible School program and her teaching in the Catechetical Leadership as well as service as a director of religious education at Holy Innocents parish, Pleasantville, and regional catechetical director for Central and Southern Westchester.
The Good Shepherd Award, given to those who by their service and ministry live in the spirit of Jesus the Good Shepherd, was presented to the following:
Sister Pauline Chirchillo, P.B.V.M., who just retired as director of the archdiocesan Society for the Propagation of the Faith after 24 years of service, the last 11 as director. She was cited “with gratitude for her more than 60 years of religious life seeking the face of God in everyone, especially those who are poor, and for her generous friendship to our ministry.”
Sister Catherine Ryan, F.S.P., who is retiring after 39 years in the catechetical ministry, the last 29 as a regional director, first of Northwest Manhattan and East Bronx and then of all Manhattan. Sister Catherine was cited “for her dedication, energy and devotion to handing on the faith with excellence.”
The John Cardinal O’Connor Award for those involved in ministry with persons with disabilities was presented to Linda Sgammato, who retired in July after 16 years as director of special religious education and early childhood catechesis. She was recalled as “a tireless advocate for children with disabilities and their families,” and also for her dedication to the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, which “enabled this wonderful method of early childhood religious education to take root in the archdiocese.”
Fifteen certified catechists who have served for more 25 years received the Cardinal Dolan Certificate of Appreciation. They are Gerard A. Scanlan, 45 years, St. Augustine, New City; Rose Marie White, 40+ years, Holy Cross, Callicoon; Alvina Hojnack, 40 years, St. Charles, Staten Island; Karen A. Wereszynski, 40 years, Immaculate Conception, Kingston; Lawris Barrett, 35+ years, St. Stanislaus, Pleasant Valley; David Kasny, 35+ years, St. Margaret, Pearl River; Bobbie Madonia, 35 years, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Poughkeepsie; Margaret Robertson, 35 years, St. Margaret, Pearl River; Eleanor Lubnewski, 30+ years, St. Peter, Monticello; Dorothy Amodeo, 30 years, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Poughkeepsie; Jane Bunt, 30 years, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Poughkeepsie; Maria Checo, 30 years, St. Jude, Manhattan; Lorraine Medina, 30 years, St. Charles, Staten Island; Mary O’Haire, 30 years, Good Shepherd, Rhinebeck; and Mary Ann Patisso, 30 years, St. Francis of Assisi, West Nyack.
The Catechetical Medal of Honor for certified catechists who have given 25 or more years to the ministry was presented to Janis Batewell, 32 years, Sacred Heart, Suffern; Louise Pisano, 27 years, St. Joseph, New Windsor; Ellen Argust, 25 years, Immaculate Conception, Kingston; Sarah Belair, 25 years, St. Joseph, Bronxville; Michael Borges, 25 years, St. Augustine, New City; Virgilia Castro, 25 years, St. Jude, Manhattan; Sue Ellen DeForest, 25 years, St. Denis, Hopewell Junction;
Maria Dowling, 25 years, St. Margaret, Pearl River; Anne Fallon, 25 years, St. Augustine, New City; Naomi Grant, 25 years, St. Margaret Mary, Bronx;
Annamaria Maciocia, 25 years, St. Charles Borromeo, Gardiner; Diane Meade, 25 years, Immaculate Heart of Mary, Scarsdale; MaryAnne Modafferi, 25 years, St. Augustine, New City; Lynda Piper, 25 years, Sacred Heart, Monroe; Christine Prendergast, 25 years, St. Augustine, New City; Evelyn Regenhard, 25 years, St. Margaret, Pearl River; Jeni Rosario, 25 years, St. Jude, Manhattan; Deacon John Sadowski, 25 years, Immaculate Conception, Stony Point; and Betty Selkirk, 25 years, St. Francis of Assisi, West Nyack.
Level One Catechist Certification for High School Students was achieved by 45 students from Msgr. Farrell High School and 7 students from Moore Catholic High School, both on Staten Island.
