Diocese announces 2017 Lumen Gentium Honorees

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PROVIDENCE — The Diocese of Providence has announced the honorees to be awarded with its 2017 Lumen Gentium Award for service.

The list features two Emeritus Bishops and two couples among the 17 individuals to be awarded in 10 categories at the Lumen Gentium Awards banquet in May.

Msgr. Albert A. Kenney, Diocesan Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, and chairman of the Lumen Gentium Committee, said he was delighted to announce the individuals, who have selflessly given of their time and talent in service to the Church.

“The honorees are a sign of God’s grace at work in the Diocese of Providence,” he said. “They represent some of the outstanding work being done each day in the areas of evangelization, charity and faith in our local church.”

The 10 categories of service in which the awards are presented include Parish Service, Community Service and Charitable Outreach, Catholic Education, Evangelization, Communications, Administration and Stewardship, Respect Life, Public Service, Distinguished Catholic Youth and Friend of the Diocese.

The Lumen Gentium awards are presented to honor those “who toil in the vineyard of the Lord,” across the diocese.

Proceeds from this year’s Lumen Gentium Awards banquet, which will be held May 17 at Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, will benefit senior priests who have served the Diocese of Providence.

The diocese presented the first Lumen Gentium awards in 2013, raising $50,000 through the dinner to benefit the Emmanuel House homeless shelter in South Providence. In 2014, the dinner raised about $75,000, with the proceeds donated to 75 food pantries, soup kitchens and nutritional programs serving those in need across the diocese. In 2015, with 1,000 people in attendance, the awards banquet raised nearly $80,000 to benefit Catholic education. Last year, in another sold-out event, the banquet raised $90,000 for Catholic elderly day services in the diocese.

Andrea Krupp, a member of the Lumen Gentium Committee, said that this year’s honorees were chosen from a pool of well over 100 online nominations.

“It is quite humbling to see that so many people are active in their parishes, doing everything from opening the church every morning to organizing pilgrimages solely for their love of God,” Krupp said.

Msgr. Kenney said the continued commitment of so many to the faith through their service is very reassuring.

“Sometimes we can forget how much good work happens each day across our state to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” he said, adding a note of gratitude to Bishop Thomas J. Tobin for hosting this event as a means of honoring the good works being done throughout the diocese.

“This event is a great chance to recognize how much good is happening in the Church,” he said.

The following winners of the 2017 Lumen Gentium awards have been selected for their outstanding service to their parish, the diocese and the local community. Beginning this week, and continuing until the awards banquet on Wednesday, May 17 at 6 p.m. at Twin River Event Center, Rhode Island Catholic will feature a weekly series of profiles on the honorees.

To register for the banquet online, visit www.dioceseofprovidence.org/lumen-gentium-awards, or call 401-277-2121. Tickets are $100 each and tables seat 10 people.

2017 Lumen Gentium Award winners

Administration and Stewardship:

Bishop Louis Gelineau, Bishop Robert Mulvee

Catholic Education: Dan and Paula Baker, Patricia Draper, Sister Mary Angelus Gabrielle (Lifetime Achievement Award)

Communications: Justin Katz

Community Service and Charitable Outreach: Gary Furtado

Distinguished Catholic Youth: Vanesa Zuleta

Evangelization: Reverend James Ruggieri

Friend of the Diocese: Ron and Kati Machtley

Parish Service: Joao Marques, Phyllis Queally, Salvatore Raspallo, Joseph Robenhymer, Marie Wilson

Public Service: Burton Stallwood

Respect Life: Georgette Duguay