By James McEvoy, Staff Writer, The Catholic Spirit
Disciples in Training: Bishop honors St. Timothy Award Recipients at annual Mass
By James McEvoy, Staff Writer, The Catholic Spirit
METUCHEN – Forty-five young Catholics from throughout the Diocese of Metuchen were recognized for helping others and serving as young role models in their parishes, schools and communities at the annual St. Timothy Award Mass.
Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski celebrated the fourth annual liturgy at St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral Oct. 3. Several diocesan priests concelebrated the Mass and Deacons Mickey Coppola and Gregory D’Angelo assisted.
In his homily, Bishop Bootkoski said the youth were disciples in training who are living out the Gospel by helping the needy.
“It’s a beautiful, beautiful ministry when you take the Gospel passages to heart, when you try to live them,” he said. “Jesus said again and again the poor will always be with you and that is so true. In recognizing the poor you recognize the goodness of them and Jesus Christ in them as he is in us.”
Bishop Bootkoski told the youth that although many, even their own peers, may doubt them, they have potential do a great deal of good.
“You’re doing something extremely special. You’re doing something that no one else is going to do. You’re doing something in the name of the lord Jesus and in the process you’re ministering to Christ himself,” he said. “It’s countercultural. Some of your fellow students might laugh at you and say you’re wasting your time. But you can do so much and you have done so much.”
Prior to the Mass, Javier Bustamante, interim director of the diocesan Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministry, praised the youth for their contributions in their parishes, schools and beyond.
“They are young people of great compassion, deep faith and strong sense of self. They have become models for their peers and communities alike.” Bustamante said. “Their desire for service has led them to engage global issues and moved them to participate in initiatives to help the people of Haiti, the Appalachian Mountains, Guatemala, New Orleans and other places where signs of God’s love is most needed.”
He also thanked the parents for raising their children to become the next generation of Christ’s disciples.
“It is because of your great example and your love and everything that you give to your children that we have these wonderful examples of faith-filled young people that want to be the light of Christ to our communities, to our country, to our world,” he said.
Following the Mass, all were invited to a reception in the cathedral.
Glenn Silowka, who is involved in organizing retreats and other activities for junior and senior youth ministries at Immaculate Conception Parish, Spotswood, said the award was an honor.
“It’s pretty awesome just shaking the bishop’s hand and being recognized for all the service I did,” Silowka said.
Serving others is a reward in itself, he added.
“I feel like I get closer to God,” he said. “It’s service to God and its service to the community. It’s my way of giving back to God,” he said.
Lizaine Saranglao of St. Ambrose Parish, Old Bridge, said her service gives her deep spiritual gratification.
“I enjoy doing it. It gives me experience with working with people,” Saranglao said. “It brings enlightenment to me.”
Her service work includes involvement with Toys for Tots, teaching third-grade religious education and serving in her parish and school choir at Cardinal McCarrick High School.
She said receiving a Timothy Award is an honor and that she appreciates being recognized for her work in the community.
“There are many people in this diocese that could be recognized for this, but I was chosen,” she said.
2010 Timothy Award Recipient List – By County
Hunterdon County
FLEMINGTON
St. Magdalen de Pazzi
Alexa Watchorn
MILFORD
St. Edward the Confessor
George Jeffreys
THREE BRIDGES
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Anthony Cavagnaro
Michelle Schuler
WHITEHOUSE STATION
Our Lady of Lourdes
Adam DeLessio
Sharon Jankiewicz
Middlesex County
AVENEL
St. Andrew
Mary Kate Gfroehrer
COLONIA
St. John Vianney
Stephanie Noto
EAST BRUNSWICK
St. Bartholomew
Joanna Schaff
EDISON
St. Helena
Isabella Flores
Steve Joseph Miranda
Bishop George Ahr High School
Danielle Scanlon
HELMETTA
Holy Trinity
Hunter Padilla
HOPELAWN
Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary
Kurt De Libero
ISELIN
St. Cecelia
Patrick Lonergan
JAMESBURG
St. James the Less
Ashley Payne
Christopher Santiago
METUCHEN
St. Francis Cathedral
Stephanie Miodus
Mary Motyka
MIDDLESEX
Our Lady of Mount Virgin
Thomas Costabile
Nichole Mann
OLD BRIDGE
St. Ambrose
Lizaine Saranglao
PERTH AMBOY
La Asunción
Elois De Jesus
Holy Spirit
Christian Martinez
PISCATAWAY
Our Lady of Fatima
Maureen Chircop
PORT READING
St. Anthony of Padua
Kaitlyn Ervin
SAYREVILLE
Our Lady of Victories
Samantha Pajak
William Toth
SOUTH AMBOY
Cardinal McCarrick High School
Elizabeth Fehl
SOUTH PLANFIELD
Sacred Heart of Jesus
Andrea Muglia
SOUTH RIVER
Corpus Christi
Rachel Gerlach
Marie Solar
St. Mary of Ostrabrama
Zachary Quiza
SPOTSWOOD
Immaculate Conception
Andrew D’Angelo
Glenn Silowka
Somerset County
BERNARDSVILLE
Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Fernando Garcia
Regina Yorkgitis
BRIDGEWATER
St. Bernard of Clairvaux
Shannon Hennessey
HILLSBOROUGH
Mary, Mother of God
Brendon Power
Marc Sugalski
MARTINSVILLE
Blessed Sacrament
Christopher Russo
SOMERVILLE
Immaculata High School
Joseph A. Sakitis
Warren County
ALPHA
St. Mary
Matthew R. King
BLAIRSTOWN
St. Jude
Joshua Raymond Bryant
WASHINGTON
St. Joseph
Marie Orlowski

