Office of Youth and Young Adults recognizes ministers

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Record Staff Report

More than two dozen volunteers in youth and young adult ministry were honored Oct. 12 during a special volunteer recognition program at St. Margaret Mary Church.

Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz spoke to the gathering about growing in the Catholic faith, and led participants in prayer. Members of the Archdiocesan Youth Advisory Board provided music and gave a presentation on the impact of youth ministry in the lives of young people.

In addition to those receiving youth ministry awards, three individuals received mentoring certifications, four were recognized for their years of service and one was honored with the “Companions on the Journey” award — given by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry.

The national award is given to an individual who demonstrates excellence in youth ministry, commitment to young people, outstanding leadership at the diocesan level, commitment to on-going education and formation and longevity in ministry, according to Laura Zoeller, associate director of the Office of Youth and Young Adults.

This year that honor was presented to Bill Ash, a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Church.

Other outstanding volunteers honored at the event, and their parishes, were:

The “Salt and Light” Award is given to adults who are positive Catholic role models who invite youth to grow in their faith and be active in the life and mission of the Church, said a statement from the Office of Youth and Young Adult. This year’s recipients and their parishes are:

Steve Byers of St. Edward Church; Lynn Gruneisen of Holy Trinity Church; Brian and Shannon Weaver of St. Patrick Church; Andrew O’Neill of St. Gabriel Church; Tammy and Emily Reid of Epiphany Church; and Michelle Ball, Michelle Lanham, Concy Simms, Pat Russman, and Chuck Russman of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral in Bardstown, Ky.

The “Joyful and Courageous” Award is presented to youth who encourage and model participation in Mass and the sacraments and who assist the youth minister in ministering to their peers.

This year’s recipients and their parishes are:

Bennett Carothers of Holy Trinity Church; Brenden Quirk of Epiphany Church; Lucy Jakubiak, Emily Leet, and Emma Lane of Immaculate Conception Church; Will Taylor, John Simms, Lizzi Seyle, Noah Surtees, Hannah Lanham, Nic Terrell, Olivia Bickett, and Caroline Ball of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral; Spencer Brown, Kennedy Yurt, Dalton Bishop, Ryan O’Neill, and Margaret Cunningham of St. Gabriel Church.

The following youth ministers were recognized for years of service. The recipients and their parishes are:

Josh Huff of St. Edward Church; Curt Meyers of St. John Paul II Church; and Tasha Villalobos of Epiphany Church were recognized for five years of service. Ellen Sprigg of St. Joseph in Bardstown was recognized for 15 years of service.

Three youth ministers received mentoring certification. The recipients and their parishes are:

Melissa Fisackerly of Holy Trinity Church; Steve Wilson of St. Teresa of Calcutta Church; and Jennifer Heitkamper, youth minister for St. Paul and Incarnation churches.

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