Western New Yorkers Honored by Diocesan Youth
Department
During the annual Diocesan Youth Convention last weekend,
both youth and adults were honored by the Youth Department of the Diocese of
Buffalo. The awards were presented on February
18 at an awards ceremony marking the closing of the 55th annual
convention. The convention, which was attended by more than 950 youth and
chaperones, was held at the Adam’s
Msgr. Nelson H. Baker Award
Father
Joseph C. Gatto
Pastor,
St. Gregory the Great, Williamsville
The Msgr.
Nelson H. Baker Award is presented to a priest of the Diocese who has been
an advocate for the young Church.
Outstanding Catholic Youth
Michael
Couche
SS.
Peter and Paul, Williamsville
Couche
was honored for his service and commitment.
The Manus Christi Award
The Manus
Christi (Hands of Christ) Award
is given to teenagers who possess outstanding moral character, are a senior in
high school, are currently active in youth ministry and parish ministry, and
have at least 2 years of parish involvement.
David Allen, St. Mary of the Angels, Olean
Carlos Camacho, St. James/St. Gerard/St.
Lawrence, Buffalo
Michael Couche, SS.
Peter and Paul, Williamsville
Juliana Donner, St. Stephen/St. Mary,
Middleport/Gasport
Breanna
Erck, St. Bridget, Newfane
Megan Gaske, Sacred
Heart Diocesan Shrine, Bowmansville
Melissa Hartley, St. Stephen/St. Mary,
Middleport/Gasport
Samantha McDonnell, St. Joseph, Fredonia
Megan McKillip, St.
Joseph, Fredonia
Joseph Popielarz,
St. Joseph, Fredonia
Maggie Powell, St. Mary of the Angels, Olean
Christina Slomczewski,
St. Agnes, Buffalo
Elizabeth Suchan,
St. Gregory the Great, Williamsville
Holly Walker, Sacred Heart, Medina
The For God & Youth Award
The For
God and Youth Award is an award of the National Federation for Catholic
Youth Ministry and the Youth Department of the Diocese of Buffalo. This award is given to an outstanding ADULT
who has contributed significant time and energy to the parish youth
ministry.
Cathy Glazier, St. Brigid, Bergen
Tracy Nelson, Our Lady of
Lourdes, Bemus Point
Kathy Seel,
St. Andrew, Kenmore
Brian Ruh,
St. Amelia, Tonawanda
The Ed Argy Award for Community
Service
The Ed Argy Award for Community Service is presented to those
parishes that demonstrate that community service is an important and integral
part of their youth ministry program, have initiated a creative and innovative
community service project and include a high percentage of group members, and a
lengthy time commitment.
Assumption, Buffalo – The Blanket Project
St. Charles Borromeo,
Niagara Falls – Youth Lock-In for
Nicaraguan Mission
Christ the King, Snyder – Coffeehouse for War
Kids Relief
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Dunkirk – Christmas
Basket Project
St. John, Jamestown, and Our Lady of Loreto,
Falconer – Good Neighbor Campaign
Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, Depew –
Nicaraguan Mission
Our Lady of Pompeii, Lancaster – Easter Food
Drive
St. Peter, LeRoy –
Benefit Concert for India Health Clinic
Sacred Heart Diocesan Shrine, Bowmansville –
Multitude of Needs
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