EDITORIAL

The light of Christ shines brightly

Posted

Last week, more than 500 gathered at the Providence Marriott for the inaugural celebration of the Lumen Gentium Catholic Service Awards Dinner.

The award is named for one of the central documents of the Second Vatican Council, which proclaims “Christ is the light of the nations.” During this Year of Faith, and as the church celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Second Vatican Council, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin initiated this effort to recognize the good work and dedicated service of the laity in the diocese “whose bright light of faith has been a benefit to our diocesan church and an example embodied by the vision of the Vatican Council.”

The Lumen Gentium Award was presented to 12 individuals or groups who demonstrate a commitment to serving the church in the areas of Parish Service, Community Service, Catholic Education, Evangelization, Communications, Stewardship, Respect Life, Public Service, Catholic Youth, and as a non-Catholic Friend of the Diocese. The 12 recipients came from across the diocese and possess a varied set of gifts and talents, which they have put to good use serving the Catholic Church and wider community in Rhode Island. In honoring the faithful service of these awardees, Bishop Tobin recalled the words of Benedict, Pope Emeritus, who in declaring the Year of Faith declared a time that “summons us to an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord, the one Savior of the world.”

The night drew Catholics from every corner of the Ocean State as they gathered to celebrate the vitality of the faith in Rhode Island and the tremendous witness of faith in action exhibited by the awardees. The event also raised much-needed funds for the diocesan emergency homeless shelter, Emmanuel House, which, through resources generated from the dinner, enabled that facility to remain open for the summer months.

We congratulate the groups and individuals who toil in the vineyard: Rosary Sodality Group of Jesus Savior Parish; Cornelius Collins of St. Clare Parish; Ralph Lawrence of SS. John and Paul Parish; Anne Pari of St. Brendan Parish; Sister Regina Brennan, RSM of St. Raphael Academy; Donald and Patricia Turbitt of St. Philip Parish; Anthony Rizzini of St. Mary, Star of the Sea Parish; Barbara Papitto of Holy Apostles Parish; Joseph V. Cavanagh Jr., of Our Lady of Mercy Parish; Deborah Smith of St. Bernard Parish; Jessica Dowling of St. Francis de Sales Parish; and Hannah Coderre of Harvest Community Church. Truly the light of Christ is shining brightly in our diocese because of such people of faith.