November 9, 2018

Berkshire catechists honored with Pius X Award

REGIONAL
Story and photos by David Martin

PITTSFIELD — A St. Pius X Award ceremony took place on Nov. 8 during a 7 p.m. celebratory Mass at St. Joseph Church in Pittsfield. Springfield Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski was the chief celebrant and was joined on the altar by area priests and Springfield Bishop Emeritus Timothy A. McDonnell.  

Bishop Rozanski said everyone was gathered to honor the catechists who seek to preach the good news of the Gospel and make it alive in 2018 for the young people of their parishes and instill in them that since God truly loves them they can face anything in life.

“It is not only in the catechetical ministry, but in whatever way they can serve they are so willing to serve and that is why we really honor them,” Bishop Rozanski told iObserve.

Melissa LaPierre receives the Pius X medal from Springfield Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski.

Bishop Rozanski presented St. Pius X medals to seven catechists. One recipient was Melissa LaPierre, who teaches ninth grade religious education at St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Cheshire. She said she was very surprised to learn of her nomination.

LaPierre said the award gives her a sense of pride in teaching young children about God and the church. She said in teaching at her parish for six years, it is very rewarding because she sees all the children growing up before her eyes and then making their confirmation. She said teaching religious education helps her just as much as the children because also learns a lot from it.

“When I am teaching my class I try to present it so they can apply God and our faith to everyday issues that they encounter in their lives. I think it is very important in today’s world to teach them that, to give them something that they know they can lean on as they go through their lives, that God is always with them,” said LaPierre.

Other recipients included Geraldine Dahrouge, a parishioner at St. Joseph Parish; Donna Denelli-Hess from St.s Patrick and Raphael Parish in Williamstown; and Patricia Masoero, also from St. Joseph Parish.

A St. Pius Medal was awarded posthumously to Celeste Kordana, a parishioner at St. Agnes Parish in Dalton. Also, Lynda Laporte from St. Agnes was unable to attend to receive her medal due to illness.

Francis Brilliant, an award recipient from St. Mark Parish in Pittsfield where he teaches fifth and sixth grade, said he, like the other catechists, does not perform the ministry to earn medals or get recognition, they do it because it is the right thing to do, especially to help kids. He said it is a “tremendous and very humbling honor” that he really appreciates.

Brilliant said any youth program that promotes good values is very important for the community and  that a St. Pius Awards ceremony is held in the Berkshires, as well as in the Springfield area.

“We are a small area and obviously we have fewer churches than we once did, so it is a tighter community. I think it is nice that our community can come together and celebrate together as Berkshire County,” said Brilliant.

The community was able to continue socializing together during a reception that was held in the parish hall after the Mass.

A video version of this story will be on an upcoming edition of “Real to Reel” which airs Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. on WWLP-22 NEWS and in the Berkshires Sunday mornings at 5:30 on Albany’s Fox 23, WXXA.