Mary Caraballo honored at St. Patrick’s

Mary Caraballo of Dingmans Ferry has been awarded the St. Pius X Medal in recognition of her many years of devoted service as a catechist in the faith formation program at St. Patrick’s Church in Milford.

The award was presented by Rev. Joseph Manarchuck, pastor, during the celebration of Sunday mass, on the occasion of Catechist Appreciation Day. In addition to the St. Pius X Medal, Caraballo was given a Certificate of Recognition, signed by Father Manarchuck and Jack Boyle, director of Religious Education. Clare Barcia, one of the students in the Children’s Faith Formation Program at St. Patrick’s, presented her with a bouquet of flowers as a token of appreciation by all of the CCD students in the program, which features catechetical instruction in grades one through eight. Currently, there are 98 students registered in the program, which concludes in June with Summer Bible Camp at St. Patrick’s Hall.

Caraballo teaches second grade students at St. Patrick’s, in preparation for the reception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation (penance) and Eucharist (holy communion).

Father Manarchuck also offered a special blessing of catechists at the mass. Catechists in attendance, in addition to Caraballo, were: Karen De Maio, Anna Vogel, Jennifer Vogel, Ken Sullivan, Angelica Barcia, Laurie Barcia, Christine Sell, Annette Petry, Diane Dennis, Mark Costello and Charles Kratochwill, all of Milford.