October 7, 2023

Catechists honored with St. Pope Pius X Award

REGIONAL
By Nick Morganelli

SPRINGFIELD – Honored for their dedication to teaching the faith, 20 catechists received the St. Pope Pius X Award, Sunday, Oct. 1 at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Springfield. Bishop William D. Byrne celebrated the special 2 p.m. Mass thanking the catechists for sharing the joy of Christ.

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

“I started teaching faith formation a very long time ago, and once we moved into middle school and high school, actually we started Life Teen,” said Lisa Saloio. She and her husband Ron Saloio were both honored. They have raised seven children, and teach faith formation at St. Elizabeth Parish in Ludlow. They also lead youth ministry.

“We had a large group of volunteers. I love the age group. It was a long time ago that I remember what it was like at that age and they have it a lot tougher,” she said.

The Saloios brought a group of teens to the Steubenville East Catholic Youth Conference in July, which was held at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. They also brought faith formations classes to the Eucharistic Congress held last March, at the MassMutual Center.

Ron Saloio is also a volunteer coach in town.

“I’m involved with the kids in youth sports too. So I see them on the field and in class, so it’s really great. I hope I can reach some of them,” he said.

Another honoree was a career teacher who uses her talent to inspire the young faith journey of those in her parish.

“We take the techniques that we use in classrooms and apply them to Jesus, and Mary, and Joseph, and it works,” said Leslie Clark-Yvon, from Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish in Westfield.

Her involvement grew into other ministry areas as well.

“I work with Take and Eat. I’m an usher. We’ve done lots of things, the boxes at Christmastime, all kinds of things. One thing leads to another,” Clark-Yvon said.

The 2023 St. Pope Pius X recipients are: Celina Bozak, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Springfield; Marie Brown, St. John the Evangelist Parish, Agawam; Abbey Cardoza, Our Lady of the Cross, Holyoke; Leslie Clark-Yvon, Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish, Westfield; Marilyn and Patrick Durken, Our Lady of the Lake, Southwick; Kathleen Fredette, St. Thomas Parish, Palmer; Patricia Gregory, St. Patrick Parish, Springfield; Aida De La Cruz, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Springfield; Melissa Hurst, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Belchertown; Samalid Martinez, Blessed Sacrament/All Souls Parish, Springfield; Carolee McGrath, St. Cecilia Parish, Wilbraham; Deacon Michael Pray, St. Stanislaus Basilica, Chicopee; Lisa and Ron Saloio, St. Elizabeth Parish, Ludlow; Edward Senecal, Mary, Mother of Hope Parish, Springfield; Maureen Strype, St. Patrick & St. Raphael Parish, Williamstown; Emma Tacy, Our Lady of the Hills, Haydenville; Christine Thompson, St. Thomas Parish, West Springfield; and Maureen Ziskowski, St. Mary Parish Westfield.

Eight catechists received catechetical leadership certification. Others were recognized for their level 1 training in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. The program is known as an experience for children ages 3-12 to learn about Jesus and the church.

“For me to have the opportunity to honor my peers who do this ministry out of the joy of their hearts and follow their baptismal call to share their faith, it’s just an incredible honor for me to be part of this day,” said Celeste Labbe, the director of Faith Formation for the Diocese of Springfield.

A video version of this story will be on an upcoming edition of “Real to Reel” which temporarily airs Sunday mornings at 6:30 a.m. on WWLP-22 NEWS.