Fourteen teens honored with St. Timothy award

Photo above by Frank J. Methe, Clarion Herald
Above, St. Timothy Award winners were, front row from left, Mabel Regalado-Hernandez, St. Clement of Rome; Sophia Clement, St. Joan of Arc; Amelia Bernard, St. Dominic; Archbishop Gregory Aymond; Rachel Toups, Visitation of Our Lady; Jordan Bourgault, St. Luke the Evangelist; and Madeline Kerber, St. Catherine of Siena. Back row, from left: Andrew Dum, Mary Queen of Peace; Elias Levy, Gabriel Levy and Diego Swonger, St. Clement of Rome; Terrence Carter and  Yqb Johnson, St. Joseph the Worker; and James Hickey, St. Anselm.

The CYO/Youth and Young Adult Ministry held its annual Youth Leadership Celebration May 13 at Divine Mercy Church in Kenner.

Fourteen teenagers won the prestigious St. Timothy Award for their leadership in parish and school ministries. Archbishop Gregory Aymond and CYO director Adrian Jackson presented the awards.

The national St. Timothy Award is the highest award the Archdiocese of New Orleans can bestow upon a young person. The award seeks to recognize, from the diocesan level, outstanding youth who exemplify Christian service, Catholic leadership, and good moral standards.

The recipients were:

Andrew Dum, Mary Queen of Peace, Mandeville: Andrew achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, serves as an altar server and an active member and leader in his parish youth group. His youth minister said: “Andrew is humble and selfless. There has never been a time that I have known Andrew to make a decision that is only for himself. … He is a joyful person, and his love for his faith is inspiring.”

James Hickey, St. Anselm, Madisonville: James is an active member of his parish youth ministry and also serves as a lector and an extraordinary minister of holy Communion. His pastor said: “In the time that I have known James, he has proven to be a fine and respectable young man with outstanding Catholic foundational values. From personal interactions to communal opportunities, James has always led with a servant’s heart.”

Madeline Kerber, St. Catherine of Siena, Metairie: Madeline serves on leadership team for her parish CYO and is the teen representative on her parish’s Pastoral Planning Committee. She serves as a student ambassador at St. Mary’s Dominican High School. Her parish youth minister said: “She stands out in her devotion, constant and faithful presence, and humble example for others.”

Elias Levy, St. Clement of Rome, Metairie: Elias is a board member for his parish CYO and participated in mission work in San Antonio. He serves as president of student ministry at Brother Martin High School. His parish youth minister said: “What is truly notable about Eli is his tendency to separate himself from his own peer group in order to reach out to the younger members of our group and make sure that they feel included and welcome.”

Gabriel Levy, St. Clement of Rome, Metairie: Gabriel serves as a student ambassador and director of events for Brother Martin’s student ministry team. He serves on  the executive board of his parish CYO and is a member of the National Honor Society. His parish youth minister said: “Gabriel has an admirable moral compass. He never hesitates to speak up for what he believes and knows to be true and right. He has a keen sense of the difference between right and wrong, and never hesitates to voice that, even if his opinion is unpopular.”

Mabel Regalado-Hernandez, St. Clement of Rome, Metairie: Mabel serves as a lector and altar server at St. Clement of Rome and is president of the parish CYO. She serves in campus ministry leadership at Mount Carmel Academy. Her parish youth minister said: “Her faith in God’s providence, her hope in the midst of suffering and her constant joy are all indicators of her very deep and intimate relationship with not only Christ, but his mother Mary. Mabel truly lives her life in a way that reminds me of Mary herself.”

Diego Swonger, St. Clement of Rome, Metairie: Diego, a student at Archbishop Rummel High School, is a member of the St. Clement of  Rome CYO and also serves in catechetical ministry. He served as a member of Teen CROSS and has attended the archdiocesan pilgrimage to the National March for Life in Washington, D.C. His parish youth minister said: “What is unique about Diego is that he tirelessly ministers to the younger generation. His dedication to evangelizing people of all ages as well as his involvement in parish liturgy truly speaks to his deep love for the Lord, and not just a love of leadership.”

Amelia Bernard, St. Dominic, New Orleans: Amelia is a member of the CYO Peer Ministry Team and spiritual chair of the parish CYO. She is a member of National Honor Society. Her youth minister as St. Dominic said: “In all of the retreats she has worked on over the last two years with the CYO, Amelia has positively impacted some 400 teenagers, demonstrating that being mature, moral and of service to others should be every young person’s goal.”

Sophia Clement, St. Joan of Arc, LaPlace: Sophia is a leader in her parish CYO and has attended the National March for Life in Washington, D.C. and the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis. She leads music for Masses at St. Joan of Arc. Her youth minister at St. Joan of Arc shared: “Her true want for the good of the others is not double-edged with any pride. She is simply happy to welcome others into the open arms of the church.”

Terrence Carter, St. Joseph the Worker, Marrero: Terrence is the founding member of his parish’s youth ministry. He is the first teen to serve on Parish Council and is a member of the Knights of Peter Claver. His pastor at St. Joseph the Worker said: “This young man exhibits a joy and delight whenever he is interacting with others, especially his peers.”

Yqb Johnson, St. Joseph the Worker, Marrero; Yqb is a leader in his parish youth ministry and served as a member of Teen CROSS. He is a member of the Knights of Peter Claver and the National Society of High School Scholars. His godmother and fellow parishioner at St. Joseph the Worker shared: “As I have watched Yqb grow from a boy to an upstanding young man, I marvel at how he has also grown in his faith journey. He remains faithful to his church, his family, friends and community. He stands tall and confident and can be seen joyfully participating in church and community events.”

Jordan Bourgault, St. Luke the Evangelist, Slidell: Jordan is a member of her parish youth group and served as a member of Teen CROSS and attended the archdiocesan pilgrimage to the National March for Life in Washington,  D.C. Her youth minister at St. Luke the Evangelist said: “She has done a great service to our young church by allowing Christ to work through her.”



 

Photo at left: Bryce Corcoran of St. Pius X in New Orleans received the award at his home parish from Father Pat Williams and CYO director Adrian Jackson.
(Courtesy CYO Office)

Bryce Corcoran, St. Pius X, New Orleans: Bryce is a member of his parish CYO and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He is a dedicated altar server at his parish and at Holy Cross High School. His parish youth minister said: “While many teenagers may profess to believe in what the church teaches and try to live that message at least in private, Bryce is comfortable with being a public witness to his faith, regardless of what his peers may think.”

Rachel Toups, Visitation of Our Lady, Marrero: Rachel is a leader in her parish youth ministry and serves as an extraordinary minister of holy Communion in both her parish and at Academy of Our Lady.  She is a board member for the Westbank Catholic Youth United ministry. Her youth minister at Visitation of Our Lady shared: “Rachel has always been a very kind and respectful young lady. She exhibits quiet, example-driven leadership. She is always willing to help those in need.”