The diocesan Office of Youth, Campus and Young Adult Ministries hosted its annual Youth, Campus and Young Adult Ministry Appreciation Mass and Dinner at St. Joseph Church in Herndon Dec. 5.
The evening began with Mass, celebrated by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge.
Some 440 attendees then gathered in the parish hall for a reception and awards ceremony.
Kevin Bohli, executive director, opened the reception by thanking the volunteers for their dedication to diocesan youths.
“Volunteers are the lifeblood of the ministry in our parishes, schools, and campus ministries,” Bohli said. “Thousands of volunteers serve in critical roles as scouting leaders, coaches, small group leaders, and behind the scenes providing the logistics to make events and activities happen. Once a year we love to gather to give thanks to the Lord for his many blessings, and to show our appreciation to volunteers for their critical service to the church. It is also a fun, festive and inspiring evening to hear about all of the great work that others do to share Jesus with youth and young adults.”
29 Volunteer of the Year Awards and other major awards were presented by the bishop. They are as follows:
Volunteer of the Year Award
John Volk, All Saints Catholic Church, Manassas
Jean Marie O’Neil, Basilica of St. Mary, Alexandria
Joseph Jacobeen, Bishop Ireton High School, Alexandria
Rebecca Vaccaro, Bishop Ireton High School
Victoria Lewis, Bishop O’Connell High School, Arlington
Virginia Cruz, Christ the Redeemer Church, Sterling
Kevin McHale, George Mason University, Fairfax
Maggie McHale, George Mason University
Sarah Moffit, Good Shepherd Church, Alexandria
Gabriel Churchill, Holy Family Church, Dale City
Michael Loin, Holy Trinity Church, Gainesville
Miranda Cuccias, Holy Trinity Church
Reinaldo Rodriguez, Holy Trinity Church
Cabrina Gorges, Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Vienna
Kevin Gibson, Sacred Heart Church, Manassas
Monique Louis, St. Ann Church, Arlington
Maddy DeMarco, St. Charles Borromeo Church, Arlington
Billy McRoberts, St. Francis de Sales Church, Purcellville
Beth Ann McRoberts, St. Francis de Sales Church
Mike Dimaiuta, St. John Neumann Church, Reston
Stewart Carroll, St. John the Apostle Church, Leesburg
Donna Carroll, St. John the Apostle Church
Geoff Grambo, St. John the Evangelist Church, Warrenton
Christina Thompson, St. Joseph Church, Alexandria
Thomas Schneider, St. Leo the Great Church, Fairfax
Todd Lundquist, St. Mark Church, Vienna
Denise Legaz, St. Matthew Church, Spotsylvania
John Hwang, St. Paul Chung Church, Fairfax
Tom Pell, St. Veronica Church, Chantilly
Excellence in Youth Ministry Award
Tran Nghia, St. Veronica Church
Ex Corde Award
Valeria DeCelle, George Mason University
Excellence in Young Adult Ministry Award
Father Donald J. Planty, St. Charles Borromeo Church
The Bishop Loverde Award
Dan Connole, Cathedral of St. Thomas More, Arlington
