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62 Catholics to be honored
Oct 17, 2009 (The Sun Herald - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --
Lumen Christi Medals that recognize 62 Catholic parishioners whose lives reflect the "Light of Christ" will be presented by Bishop Roger P. Morin at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Nativity BVM Cathedral in Biloxi.
This year for the first time, married couples are among the recipients selected by parish priests throughout the Catholic Diocese of Biloxi, from Pascagoula to Waveland to Hattiesburg.
The Rev. Ray Carnignan of St. Therese Parish in Gulfport, for example, said he chose Helen and Ray Olinger because of their volunteer efforts. "They do so much volunteering. They work so much, it is just unbelievable. Their labor and love is abounding," he said.
"They also are a white couple. This is a black parish. They shouldn't be recognized for that, but they are. They take part in everything," Carnignan said. "They hug everybody that comes in. They sit in the first pew. We have a bazaar each year ... they make a big amount of money they give for the church. They are just so active with the people and in the parish."
Estelle and Bernard Papania, who were selected by the Rev. Joseph Uko at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Gulfport, "live a very exemplary life in the community," Uko said. "They are a reflection of light for the local church.
"Estelle has been here in the parish for many, many decades and is really involved in the different ministries," Uko said. She chairs the social action committee, "making people aware of social issues and calling them to action," he said. She also collects food for the pantry.
"Her husband, Benny, also works on the maintenances of facilities at the church," Uko said. "He helped to secure and put in gates."
Longtime youth program worker Lisa Kelley of Long Beach, a mother of twins and school board member at St. John, St. Thomas and now St. Patrick, is the honoree at St. Thomas Parish in Long Beach, selected by the Rev. Louis Lohan.
"She has worked with our youth program for many years," Lohan said. "She worked with our Catholic school, on school boards ... She is a really good committed worker. She is quiet and easygoing but extremely thorough."
The Lumen Christi award was established in 2002 by then-Bishop Thomas Rodi.
To see more of The Sun Herald, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to
http://www.sunherald.com. Copyright (c) 2009, The Sun Herald, Biloxi, Miss.
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