Diocesan staff honors Mariyam Francis with award for excellence in catechetical leadership

Diocesan staff presented Mariyam Francis with the 2026 Rosemarie “Chick” McGinty Award for Excellence in Catechetical Ministry during an 11 a.m. Mass on September 20. Francis serves as the longtime parish catechetical leader at Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish in Hamilton.

Jessica Donohue and Michelle Angelo Santoro from the Department of Catechesis visited the parish to present the award, which coincided with the parish's observance of Catechetical Sunday. The award recognizes outstanding parish catechetical leaders and is named after the late Rosemarie “Chick” McGinty, who led the Office of Catechesis from 1986 to 2003.

Before the presentation, Msgr. Thomas N. Gervasio, the pastor, led a commissioning ceremony for all parish catechists, which included a prayer and blessing.