The Archdiocese of Philadelphia will honor four remarkable Catholic school graduates with its 2014 Distinguished Graduate Awards. The event honors Catholic school alumni who, through their achievements and commitment to living a Catholic life, best embody the spirit of Catholic education in the Archdiocese.
Thursday, March 27, 2014
The Crystal Tea Room – Wanamaker Building (9th floor)
Broad and Juniper Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Most Reverend Joseph P. McFadden (posthumously) – Tenth Bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg
Our Lady of Lourdes School (Philadelphia) and Saint Thomas More High School for Boys (Philadelphia)
Mr. Brian Zwaan – President, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Lending Officer and Director of Penn Liberty Bank
Saint Denis School in Havertown (Delaware County) and Archbishop John Carroll High School in Radnor (Delaware County)
Sister Helen Rapine, IHM – Former Principal and President, Bishop Shanahan High School (Chester County)
Saint Patrick School in Norristown (Montgomery County), Saint Rose of Lima (Philadelphia) and West Catholic High School for Girls (Philadelphia)
Mrs. Eileen Hansen – Hansen Properties, Inc.
Saint David School in Willow Grove (Mongtomery County) and Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls (Philadelphia)
The evening will also include special remembrance of Sister Patricia Spingler, IHM (posthumous), Vice Principal for Advancement at Villa Maria Academy, Malvern and Former Director of Marketing and PR, Office of Catholic Education.
Bishop Michael Fitzgerald said, “Each of this year’s honorees embodies what it means to be a Distinguished Catholic School Graduate. Through their commitment to the values of a Catholic life, they have inspired an appreciation for the values of the Catholic school tradition. This event is a wonderful way to not only celebrate the achievements of these proud Catholic school graduates, but also to ensure that current and future students will receive quality Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for years to come.”
The Emcee for the evening is Mr. Christopher Mominey, Chief Operating Officer and Secretary for Catholic Education. Mr. Mominey joined the Archdiocese’s Office of Catholic Education in July 2013. Bishop Michael Fitzgerald and Bishop Daniel Thomas will be present to offer the opening and closing prayers.
Mr. Mominey said, “I’m honored to be the emcee for such a celebratory evening for Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Over the last year, I’ve had the opportunity to visit many of the schools and have witnessed firsthand the pride and excitement our students, faculty and staff have shown in carrying out the legacy of Catholic education in our Archdiocese. The Distinguished Graduate Awards allows us to not only honor the past but look ahead to a bright future.”
Guests will be entertained by members of the All Catholic Jazz Band. Charlie Harrison, a student at Archbishop John Carroll High School (Delaware County) will sing the National Anthem and Matthew Kelly an Archbishop Ryan High School student will perform on the piano during dinner.
During the program, each honoree will be introduced by a student representative from the honoree’s affiliated Archdiocesan high school as well as a video montage. Proceeds from the evening will benefit Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. More information on the dinner can be found at the 2014 Distinguished Graduate Awards website http://distinguishedgraduateawards.org/.
Editor’s Note: For more information about schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia please visit
www.catholicschools-phl.org.
Contact
Bonnie Olinger
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747