In top photo Jessica Donohue, director of the Department of Catechesis, left, Msgr. Thomas Gervasio and Michelle Angelo Santoro, surround Mariyam Francis who was named the 2026 Rosemarie “Chick” McGinty Award recipient. Mary Stadnyk photo
Mariyam Francis, the longtime parish catechetical leader in Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton, was honored in a special way on Catechetical Sunday.
PHOTO GALLERY: 2026 Catechetical Sunday in Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton
To Francis’ surprise, diocesan staffers Jessica Donohue and Michelle Angelo Santoro from the Department of Catechesis paid a visit to Our Lady of Sorrows Church Sept. 20 and presented Francis with the 2026 Rosemarie “Chick” McGinty Award for Excellence in Catechetical Ministry. The award was presented during the 11 a.m. Mass that happened to coincide with the parish’s observance of Catechetical Sunday.
The award is given in recognition of an outstanding parish catechetical leader designated by the ministry. The award is named after the late Rosemarie “Chick” McGinty, who headed the Office of Catechesis from 1986 to 2003. McGinty was the first laywoman to serve as a parish director of religious education in the diocese and was the first laywoman to be director of a diocesan office.
Before award presentation, Msgr. Thomas N. Gervasio, pastor, led a commissioning ceremony of all the parish catechists in which he prayed over them and offered a blessing.
Check back on TrentonMonitor.com to learn more about Mariyam Francis and the work she does at Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish.
