Photo by Brian Sumner: Office of Communications - Roman Catholic Diocese
“Your contributions (to the Church) when taken together are immense,” Burlington Bishop Kenneth A. Angell told the honorees during the afternoon ceremony in the church.
The women, many of them retirees, serve the Church in myriad capacities including choir members, catechists, secretaries, event organizers, directors of religious education, liturgy committee members, Catholic Daughters of the Americas, extraordinary ministers of holy Communion, lectors, pastoral council members, ministers to the sick and elderly, sodality members, schedulers, finance committee members and pastoral associates.
The bishop publicly honored and thanked the women for all they do for their parishes and their communities. “You women have done so much, so we celebrate you, appreciate you and give honor to you … We are so grateful for your ministry.”
Connie Cooney, a co-chair of the event with Loretta Schneider, said the purpose of the recognition ceremony was to affirm the gifts of women in the Church. Some parishes, she noted, even continue the celebration, honoring the local honorees at parish celebrations.
Jean Groseclose St. Luke, Fairfax, Vermont, shown at left receiving her award from Bishop Angel, is a person of very deep faith, seemingly simple, but well-studied. She is very loving of God’s people, expressed in a willingness to do what needs to be done when it needs doing, in a great variety of ministries….Bingo, Parish Mission to Santo Domingo, yearly lawn sales. Bishop’s Funds for 15 years, custodial work for the parish, Life in the Spirit seminars, St. Luke’s turkey dinners, funeral meals for the bereaved, liturgy committee member and Eucharistic Minister since 1989…Jean is a true inspiration to her family and faith community