Catechetical leaders honored for outstanding, long-term service

By Ambria Hammel, The Catholic Sun
June 7, 2007

The Department of Family Catechesis honored dozens of youth and catechetical leaders last month during an annual celebration of their ministry.

The May 10 event, held at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in Phoenix, bestowed a handful of outstanding service awards to some of those present. It also recognized more than 80 lay ministers, deacons and sisters for reaching milestones on their journey of evangelization and for continuing their own education.

“It’s just reinforcing how much each one of them loved not only the work they’re doing, but loved the Lord, loved to serve and help others love Jesus more deeply,” said Eric Westby, department director.

The program expanded in two ways this year. The youth and young adult award category, which also included junior high, became three distinct awards.

This year’s event also marked the first time each outstanding service award had its own name. Westby said the award’s namesake is that of a patron saint the recipient should already mirror in ministry.

Kate Hursh, the Edge youth minister at St. Timothy Parish in Mesa, received the St. Maria Goretti Award for her work with 400 junior high school youth. She called the fall outdoor retreat with half of them as the highlight of the year.

“It was absolutely beautiful to see 200 youth on their knees in the dirt in adoration,” Hursh said. Her brother, Fr. Pat Farley, led adoration and offered Mass under the stars.

Saints alive

Eric Porteous, youth minister at St. Patrick Parish in Scottsdale, was one of five leaders who earned a certification in youth ministry.

He received the St. John Bosco Award. Westby said the saint set the foundation for youth ministry by building strong relationships with those whom he served.

“He had a lot of fun with them,” Westby said, adding that Bosco was a clever  entertainer. The saint used those activities and his Christ-like love to lead the youth into deeper Church teaching.

The St. Paul Award for outstanding young adult evangelization went to Ryan O’Hara, executive director of Youth Arise North America and a 10-year veteran in the ministry.

Westby said his work is not unlike that of St. Paul, who ministered to Christians that often knew basic teachings of the faith, but “need the light shed on it” for a more complete picture.

Youth Arise reached out to more than 300 young adults each month during its spring series of adoration and witness talks.

Mary Mirrione, director of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd at St. Anne Parish in Gilbert, received the St. Teresa of Avila Award. Westby said as a doctor of the Church, St. Teresa shared information to help others grow deeper in their love for Christ.

The St. Therese of Lisieux Award for overall service went to Elisa Villa, coordinator of youth ministry at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Glendale.

“Everyone who is working for the Church can own a piece of that award because they’re doing work that’s unseen,” Westby explained.

Gifts to inspire

Peers nominated the recipients and the Department of Family Catechesis presented each with a wooden icon depicting Jesus and Mary. It served as both a gift and a means of nurturing their spiritual lives.

Westby hopes the recipients will put the icon in a place to help them “see the relationship between Christ and His mother and imitate her response to her Son.”

In addition to outstanding service awards, Westby’s office recognized 44 youth and catechetical leaders who have dedicated five, 10, 15, 20, 30 and 35 years to the ministry. They each received an image of Mary.

The office also recognized 21 leaders for earning a combination of experience with a theology degree or equivalent.