The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge presented Papal Honors to 20 men and women in the Diocese of Raleigh during Solemn Vespers at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Cary, Tuesday, December 6, 2011. The Honors were bestowed by Pope Benedict XVI. Four of the honorees were awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross, the highest award of the Roman Catholic Church given to the Laity. Sixteen of the honorees were presented with the Benemerenti Medal in recognition of their dedicated service to the Church.
An estimated 1,000 people attended the ceremony, including family and friends of the recipients, who represent 16 parishes in the Diocese. Twenty-seven priests were vested with others in attendance.
“Your honors bring great joy to our entire Diocese, and we are so very proud of you,” Bishop Burbidge said in his homily. Reflecting on St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, the Bishop said, “We are reminded that the Lord has given to His people various roles and gifts and ministries.”
Pointing to the honorees, Bishop Burbidge said, “Look how they are represented in the lives of those who have received honors and who come from all parts of our Diocese.” He noted the range of gifts they offer in service, including providing outreach to those in need, embracing the dignity of life, providing models of married love and family life, and in medicine being instruments of “God’s healing love.”
“Know also,” Bishop Burbidge said, “that you are a gift to us: your family, your Church, your Diocese, your Bishop and all those who know and love you.”
Above: Papal Honorees receiving Prayer of Blessing at close of ceremony. (Click photo to view larger.)
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Watch Bishop Burbidge’s homily (Windows Media)
Read Bishop Burbidge’s homily
Watch presentation of Papal Honors to recipients (Windows Media)
Those receiving the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice:
Dr. Michael J. Fedewa, Ed. D.
St. James Parish, Henderson
Sister Mary Isaac Koenig, S.U., St. Mary Parish, Wilmington
Mr. Maurice J. Koury, Blessed Sacrament Parish, Burlington
Mrs. Ann K. Koury, Blessed Sacrament Parish, Burlington
Those receiving the Benemerenti Medal:
Mrs. Theresa H. Aldahondo, St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Cary
Hon. John W. Byrne, St. Bernadette Parish, Fuquay-Varina
Dr. Charles K. Coe, Ph.D., Sacred Heart Cathedral, Raleigh
Mrs. Martha E. Coe, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Raleigh
Dr. Robert L. Deucher, M.D., St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Southern Pines
Mr. William J. Fraser, St. Paul Parish, New Bern
Mrs. Marguerite C. Gibbons, St. Raphael the Archangel Parish, Raleigh
Mrs. Rebecca L. Guijarro, St. Mary Parish, Goldsboro
Mr. Milton Jenkins, St. Gabriel Parish, Greenville
Dr. George S. Lensing, Jr., Ph.D., Newman Catholic Student Center, Chapel Hill
Dr. J. Jacques Mistrot, M.D., Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Raleigh
Mrs. Agnes S. Penny, St. Raphael the Archangel Parish, Raleigh
Mr. George Quigley, St. Ann Parish, Fayetteville
Mr. Linus G. Riehle, Holy Family Parish, Elizabeth City
Mrs. Elizabeth A. Rogosich, St. Joseph Parish, Raleigh
Mrs. Anne W. Stahel, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Raleigh
*Additional information on the Papal Honorees is available in the November issue of the NC Catholics.