The Valley Catholic May 22, 2018 | Page 4

Catechists from parishes across the Diocese of San Jose came together on May 8 for the 48th Annual Saint Pius X Awards Banquet at Villa Ragusa restaurant in Campbell .

The evening honored 86 catechists for 10 to 50 years of service of religious education ministry . Overall , the honorees combined for 1,535 years of service to the Diocese . Mary Clarke of Santa Teresa Parish was recognized for 40 years of service ; while Angie Wilson of Holy Family Parish and Guadalupe Garcia of Holy Spirit Parish , were honored for 45 years . Sister Elisa Maria Santos , FHIC , from Five Wounds Parish , received a standing ovation for her 50 years of service .

“ We have a great deal to celebrate tonight ,” said Bishop Patrick J . Mc- Grath . “ We are celebrating those who share the vineyard with us .”

The event is the collaboration of the Diocese ’ s departments of Catechetical Ministry and Hispanic Apostolate , which now fall under the

Sister Elisa Maria Santos from Five Wounds Parish was recognized for 50 years of service .

Office for Evangelization . Of all of the catechists who were honored , only one was a surprise .

Lupita Vital , Director of the Hispanic Apostolate , announced that Hilda Porcella , from Saint Mary Parish , Gilroy , was the sixth recipient of the Sister Maria De La Cruz Aymes , SH , Award for Excellence in Catechetical Ministry .

“ I felt frozen ,” said an obviously surprised Porcella . “ I am very touched by such a big recognition . It is a joy to see people happy and smiling as we celebrate the Word of God . I never thought God would call me to share

Ann Resch from Saint Maria Goretti Parish was recognized for 30 years of service .

Hilda Porcella , from Saint Mary Parish , Gilroy , was the recipient of the Sister Maria De La Cruz Aymes , SH , Award . his word . Thank you .”

Sister De La Cruz was an acclaimed leader in modern catechetics and the author of the “ On Our Way ” series , which provided the foundation of religious education for a generation of Catholic youth . Bishop McGrath met her when he was a seminarian in Ireland in 1969 and they became friends when he moved to San Francisco after his ordination a year later . He established this award in her honor .

Vital said Porcella has been a Pastoral Associate for more than 30 years and is “ generous , very committed , attentive and in tune with the Gospel .”

In addition , Linda Cunha-Riccio , who is retiring the end of June as Director of the Institute for Leadership in Ministry ( ILM ), was honored for her years of service to the Diocese .

The Saint Pius X awards are named in honor of Pope Saint Pius X , 1835-1914 , who as Pope encouraged daily reading of the Bible , directed liturgical renewal and encouraged Catholics , especially in Italy , to become involved in political issues to achieve peace and order . He was most noted for lowering the age of First Communion to the age of reason .