August 22, 2022

Local catechists honored with St. Pope Pius X Award

REGIONAL
Story and photo by Carolee McGrath

SPRINGFIELD – Sixteen catechists from across the Diocese of Springfield were recognized for their service and ministry at the annual St. Pope Pius X Awards Mass held at St. Michael’s Cathedral, Sunday, Aug. 21, the feast day of Pope Pius X. Three catechists were recognized for completing their Catechetical Leader Certification.

Springfield Bishop William D. Byrne celebrated the 2 p.m. Mass, thanking the catechists for leading people to Christ.

“The catechist is the fulfillment of our Lord’s great commission: Go out and teach all nations. This is what they do,” Bishop Byrne told iObserve. “They teach in some of the most challenging situations. They go in and share with joy the faith, the message of Jesus Christ and salvation.”

The diocesan Office of Faith Formation sponsored the event.

“The catechists have answered their baptismal call,” said Celeste Labbe, the director of the Office of Faith Formation. “They have desired to share their faith, share their story, and teach the children in our parishes, and without them, we would not be educating our children. So their job is so important, and most of them here today have done this for years with such enthusiasm, that they are very deserving of this award.”

The St. Pope Pius X recipients are: Lisa Burkins, St. Cecilia Parish, Wilbraham; Denise Devine, Most Holy Redeemer Parish, Hadley; Jessica Di Tomasso, St. Mark Parish, Pittsfield; Sara-Kate Fitzell, St. Patrick Parish, South Hadley; Chantal Gilbert, St. Thomas Parish, West Springfield; Eda Gilday, St. Mary Parish, Hampden; Sandy Lepage, St. Rose de Lima Parish, Chicopee; Maria McKinney, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Northampton; Luis Nevarez, Blessed Sacrament Parish, Springfield; Kelly O’Connor, Blessed Sacrament Parish, Holyoke; Catherine Rioux, St. Patrick Parish, Monson; Christine Simard and Sandy Salvador, St. Elizabeth Parish, Ludlow; Elizabeth Skwira, St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr Basilica, Chicopee; Deana Tortoriello, St. Mary Parish, Westfield; and Maria Wyszynski, St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Springfield.

“Working with the kids, and showing them how much love is out there for them from God and the community – it’s a calling that I didn’t even realize was there,” said O’Connor, who teaches faith formation at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Holyoke.

The certificate recipients are: Lynne Corriveau, St. Mary Parish, Westfield; Melissa Hurst, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Belchertown; and Donna Marotta, St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, West Springfield.

St. Pope Pius X was elected pope in 1903 and wrote an encyclical in which he explained the important role of catechists.

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.