Lumen Gentium Awards

Honorees for diocesan service award announced

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PROVIDENCE — The Diocese of Providence has announced the slate of 15 individuals and groups who will be honored this year with a Lumen Gentium award at a banquet May 18 at Twin River Event Center, the proceeds of which will benefit two local Catholic elder services providers.

The awards, which were first bestowed in 2013 to honor those “who toil in the vineyard of the Lord,” are presented in 10 categories: 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.

“I am delighted to announce the recipients of the 2016 Lumen Gentium awards,” Msgr. Albert A. Kenney, Diocesan Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, as well as chairman of the Lumen Gentium Committee, said in announcing the honorees.

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

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. Last year, with 1,000 in attendance, the awards banquet raised nearly $80,000 to benefit Catholic education.

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

“It is humbling to realize how many people are so active in their parishes, doing everything from opening the church every morning to organizing pilgrimages; not for glory or recognition but from a love of God,” Krupp said.

She described the awards dinner as a night of celebration, fellowship and stewardship, with the proceeds of the evening being used to serve others in God’s name. This year’s beneficiaries are St. Martin de Porres Multi-Purpose Center and Fruit Hill Day Care for Seniors.

“Both of these organizations provide safe environments for seniors to spend their time socializing, learning and accessing any needed services,” Krupp said.

Msgr. Kenney said the continued commitment of so many through the years in service to the Lord is very reassuring.

“The future of the church of Providence is full of hope,” he said. “We owe a debt of gratitude to Bishop Thomas J. Tobin who wanted this event to honor the good work going on throughout our Diocese. I am especially pleased that so many were nominated this year. Sometimes we can forget how much good work happens each day across our state to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This event is a great chance to recognize how much good is happening in the Church.”

Lumen Gentium Honorees

The following winners of the 2016 Lumen Gentium awards have been selected for their outstanding service to their parish, the diocese and the local community. Rhode Island Catholic will feature a series of profiles on the winners in the weeks leading up to the awards banquet, which will be held on Wednesday, May 18 at 6 p.m. at Twin River Event Center in Lincoln. To register for the banquet online, visit www.dioceseofprovidence.org, or call Andrea Krupp at 401-278-4615, or Wendy Paige at 401-277-2121, Option 0. Tickets are $100 each and tables seat 10 people.

Administration and Stewardship: David Amaral

Catholic Education: Margaret Simms; Ronald & Veronica Procopio

Communications: Thomas Ward

Community Service and Charitable Outreach: Rosanna Grillo

Distinguished Catholic Youth: Kathryn Yorke; Noah DaSilva

Evangelization: Reverend Raymond Tetrault

Friend of the Diocese: Senator Harold Metts

Parish Service: Joseph Carter; Ladies Guild St. Vincent de Paul; Patrick McCarthy; John Ricci

Public Service: Speaker Matthew Smith

Respect Life: Barbara Fisher