Near a table topped with medals, pins and rolled parchment cinched by ribbon, Father Michael Burbeck, stood at the ambo. Honorees sat close by, looking toward their friends and family, and awaiting their names to be called.
“As the bishop has noted, these individuals stand apart, but they also represent all of us in the Diocese of Raleigh,” Father Michael said.
One by one, each approached the table and received an honor, bestowed by Pope Francis and presented by Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama Feb. 12 during Evening Prayer at Raleigh’s Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral.
As a group of 16, honorees represented parishes from the Outer Banks, Triangle area, Jacksonville, Wallace and Fayetteville. They were born in eight different sates and three different countries. Their service to the Church included advising clergy, assisting neighbors at food pantries, growing Catholic education, ministering to the elderly, sharing music and more. Their professional backgrounds included military service, law, business and medicine.
Bishop Luis cited their personal traits, noting that they did things with love and thankfulness. “Papal honors without recipients means nothing,” he said during a homily. “The motivation of your service has been moving by your love … for Jesus.”
Nine were honored with the Benemerenti Medal. Helen Blazuk, Gloria Burton, Jose Cabrera, Susan Clifton, Genaro Estrada, Vincent Ferretti, Jr., William Findlay, Jr. and Deacon Mike Vandiver received medals Feb. 12. Bishop Luis presented a medal to Rose Mary Semenza, 92, at her home Feb. 7 during a celebration with friends.
Two individuals, Peter Le and Anne Stahel, received the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross during the Evening Prayer ceremony Feb. 12. (Stahel received a Benemerenti Medal in 2011.)
Five individuals were enrolled in the Order of St. Gregory, one of the five pontifical knightly orders. Mark Baric, John J. Healy, Jr., Patricia Healy, Timothy Mann and Dr. Henry Zaytoun, Jr. received that honor with the title of Knight or Dame. (Mann and Zaytoun received the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross in 2017. Baric previously received a Benemerenti Medal.)
The event was streamed live and watched by hundreds supporting the honorees and rejoicing in the gifts shared by all in the diocese.
“I was raised in a large, Catholic family,” said Mann, who watched his father share time as an usher and Catholic Charities volunteer. “What he always told my five siblings, and I was that we each had different talents, and those talents needed to be shared … this is the Church: the people. Understanding that, if we can share our gifts and use that as an example for the next generation, then the Church will be healthy on into the future.”
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