| Faithful Honored for Parish Service |
| Monday, 02 April 2007 07:00 | |||
 Honorees and supporters crowd the Cathedral of St. Joseph. HARTFORD – Parishioners from all over the Archdiocese of Hartford were recognized for their service and dedication during the St. Joseph Medal of Appreciation ceremony at the Cathedral of St. Joseph. Initiated in 2001 by Archbishop Daniel A. Cronin, Archbishop Emeritus, the distinction is awarded yearly by Archbishop Henry J. Mansell to parishioners who have given unselfishly of their time and talent to their local parish. The prayer ceremony took place the day before the saint’s March 19 feast. “You keep our parishes vibrantly alive,” the archbishop told the 154 medal recipients from parishes and missions. “We don’t always see you face to face, but we see the fruits of your efforts year after year.” Enumerating the many ways in which they serve humbly and assiduously, he added, “You’ve blown your cover today and we are here to applaud your dedication and service. You are the true ambassadors of the Church.” Archbishop Mansell explained that the medal recipients enable the Church to accomplish great things, adding that the maintenance, daily operation and success of parish events result in large part from their love, commitment, dedication and generosity. “The interesting thing is, you don’t have to be asked,” he said. “If there’s something to be done, you do it. All of this quiet, be-hind-the-scenes work is … the cement that keeps the parish together as community. You understand what it means to be doers of the Word and not just hearers.” The Archbishop said that “their positive response to God’s love, made so consistently, reflects and models the words of Christ, ‘I have come not to be served, but to serve.’” The Archbishop blessed and presented each honoree with a bronze medal that displays the likeness of St. Joseph with the infant Jesus displayed on the front side and the Archbishop’s coat of arms on the reverse side. Pastors nominate parishioners for the awards. Many, such as Arthur Merz, of St. Patrick Parish in Collinsville, and Margherita Guistinello, of St. Bernadette Parish in New Haven, have given for decades with little or no recognition. Father Ronald P. May, Pastor of St. Patrick, called Mr. Merz “a valuable member of the parish in so many ways,” adding that he has been the head usher for more than 20 years and a member of the parish finance committee for the past 10 years. “I have called upon Art for his knowledge of members of our parish and what businesses in town are reliable when we have physical problems at our rectory or church. His knowledge and willingness to help at a moment’s notice is admirable.” A parishioner of St. Bernadette Church since 1970, Ms. Guistinello has been involved in countless projects at the parish school, such as teaching Italian and art. “Margherita has brightened up our parish and convent with her talent of painting,” explained Peggy Dmytruk, parish secretary, adding that she has repainted the Stations of the Cross and numer-ous statues, as well as reconstructed and repainted the Nativity scene. In her 83 years at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Torrington, Marion Schroeder has served on the parish council, finance council and Torrington Council of Churches, and has been a parish trustee and extraordinary minister of holy Communion. “It’s a wonderful parish,” she said. For 85 years, Mary Sheehy has belonged to Assumption Parish in Ansonia, serving as money counter and president of the Rosary Society. She also has prepared meals for the local shelter and made birthday cards for the elderly. “I’ve always worked in the parish,” she said. “It’s a beautiful place.” Barbara Considine, a member of Our Lady of Victory Parish in West Haven, called the medal “a great honor.” Ms. Considine, who has served as sacristan, extraordinary minister of holy Communion, lector, school board chairperson and parish raffle coordinator, among other things, said, “We all need to step up and take responsibility for the parish and do what we can to help.” Antoinette “Toni” Baldoni was one of the first directors of the religious education program at Holy Spirit Parish in Newington. She also initiated the parish prayer shawl ministry and helped to found the bereavement ministry. “Toni continues to contribute generously to the life of our parish,” said Father Lawrence R. Bock, pastor, explaining that she also is an extraordinary minister of holy Communion, a religious education teacher, and liturgy committee and prison ministry member. “It is no exaggeration to say that Toni Baldoni is universally loved in our community,” said Father Bock. “She brings faith, insight, knowledge and good sense in all she does. In all her endeavors Toni brings a faith-filled peace, joy and enthusiasm. Toni is a special presence among us.”
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