Forty-two Catholics were recognized for their outstanding service as ministers to youths and young adults at a special Mass and appreciation dinner at St. Joseph Church in Herndon Dec. 9.
The diocesan Office of Youth, Campus, and Young Adult Ministries hosted the event, which drew more than 600 people to celebrate 38 volunteers of the year and four individuals who received major awards for their work in the respective fields of youth, campus and young adult ministry.
The office’s theme for the year is “Call upon the Lord,” which Bishop Michael F. Burbidge invoked during his homily, mentioning that the day was also the anniversary of the dedication of the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington, and how recent renovations to it help cathedral visitors and especially young people to call upon the Lord. More than 20 other priests concelebrated Mass.
Kevin Bohli, executive director, expressed gratitude for the high turnout, which he described as “a great testament to the amount of youth, campus, and young adult ministry that is happening in the diocese.”
“The Holy Spirit is working through the lives of so many committed youth workers and volunteers,” he said.
The award winners are:
Excellence in Youth Ministry Award
Paul Bevins, Holy Trinity Church, Gainesville
Autumn Theresa Koo, St. Paul Chung Church, Fairfax
Ex Corde Award
Fr. Joseph Farrell, chaplain, Catholic Campus Ministry, George Mason University, Fairfax
Excellence in Young Adult Ministry
Diana Gomez, All Saints Catholic Church, Manassas
Volunteer of the Year Award
Francesca Gross, All Saints
Jim Sheeran, All Saints
Mary Kate Nihill, Basilica of St. Mary, Alexandria
Gen and Alex Petsopoulos, Basilica
Michael Hernandez, Bishop Ireton High School, Alexandria
Sophia Aboelenin, Bishop O’Connell High School, Arlington
Mayra Polanco, Christ the Redeemer Church, Sterling
Isabel Marie Auclair, Christendom College, Front Royal
Jeanne Medford, George Mason University
Michael Ilagan, Good Shepherd Church, Alexandria
The Sanchez De Los Rios Family, Holy Family Church, Dale City
Mark Guthrie, Holy Spirit Church, Annandale
Katherine Orlando, Holy Spirit
Kevin Balint, Holy Trinity
Karen Chiodo, Holy Trinity
Danielle O’Neill, Holy Trinity
Tom Svercl, Nativity Catholic Church, Burke
Dominic Berry, Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Vienna
Tito España, St. Charles Borromeo Church, Arlington
Robert Brown, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Lake Ridge
Daniel McGlynn, St. James Church, Falls Church
Meaghan Stoner, St. John Neumann Church, Reston
Sandra Carabantes, St. John the Apostle Church, Leesburg
Margherita Warhurst, St. John the Evangelist Church, Warrenton
John Przybysz, St. Joseph Church, Herndon
James Hogan, St. Leo the Great Church, Fairfax
Matthew Spierenburg, St. Louis Church, Alexandria
Bella Racinez, St. Mark Church, Vienna
Juliann Maroyka, St. Mary of Sorrows Church, Fairfax
Jake Anderson, St. Mary of Sorrows
Dom Mattson, St. Mary of Sorrows
Choonghoon Lee, St. Paul Chung
Linda Gott, St. Paul VI Catholic High School, Chantilly
Daniel Skeen, St. Thomas à Becket Church, Reston
Brian Burke, St. Thomas à Becket
Dominic Calandra, St. Veronica Church, Chantilly
