 |
 |
WHAT: Presentation of Bishop Murphy Award
WHERE: 10th Annual Bishop's Ball, Horizons Conference Center at 6200 State St., Saginaw
WHEN: 5:30 p.m. Reception, 7 p.m. Dinner, Friday, April 29 (All are Invited)
SAGINAW- The Most Rev. Joseph R. Cistone, Bishop of Saginaw, announced the recipients of this year's Bishop Murphy Award. The awards will be presented to Olympia DeAgostino (pictured left), a parishioner at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption in Saginaw and Marie Wrocklage (pictured right), a parishioner at St. Michael Parish in Maple Grove, during the 10th annual Bishop's Ball on Friday, April 29 at Horizons Conference Center in Saginaw.
The Bishop Murphy Award recognizes the life-long commitment of individuals who share and live their Catholic faith in a way that continues the evangelizing mission of Jesus Christ. The award is presented to individuals who have given witness throughout their lives, in word and deed, to the Good News of the Gospel.
"Olympia and Marie share many of the same attributes as servant leaders," Bishop Cistone said. "While raising their families, they also generously served the Church in a variety of ministries. Both women were strongly committed to providing a Catholic education for their children; and, once their children were grown, they expanded their ministries and outreach. Olympia and Marie give powerful witness to the Lord's love and mercy, and they inspire others to do the same."
Within her parish community, Olympia DeAgostino is a familiar face, assisting with many aspects of parish ministry and life. She also is known by the hundreds of men, women and children who live in the cathedral neighborhoods who are served breakfast at the cathedral once a month. Olympia coordinates the small army of volunteers who puts on the breakfast, and is responsible for everything, from purchasing the food, to overseeing cooking, serving and cleaning up. She collects hats, gloves and socks for neighbors in need, and even began an "Undie Sunday Collection" several years ago to ensure families had access to new undergarments. Olympia organizes a campaign to buy shoes for underprivileged children, and is known for reaching out in a special way to those who have fallen away from the Church.
At the young age of 94, Marie Wrocklage continues to assist her St. Michael Parish community in a variety of ways. She was instrumental in her parish's school and religious education program for three generations. Despite the demands of raising her eight children, Marie was the first parent at the parish to teach religion at the parish school. Teaching required travel to Saginaw for training sessions and Marie's generous response to the needs of the parish school inspired other parishioners. Marie also was the first leader of the parish's SPRED (Special Religious Education) program. She is known for driving seniors to Mass and also the local beauty salon. She bakes cookies for parish visitors, makes soup for those who are sick and offers her time to converse with those who are lonely. Marie is a generous supporter of the Dominican religious sisters, in honor of her two aunts who served that order as religious sisters.
The following is a list of past award recipients along with their parish and/or organization and the year in which they were given the award: Oscar Mendoza, Holy Spirit Parish, Shields (2015), Katherine Maurer, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish, Vassar (2014) and Mark Morand, Our Lady of the Visitation Parish, Bay City (2014), Kenn Bueche, Chesaning Area Emergency Relief Organization, Chesaning (2013) and Sister Marietta Fritz, S.N.D. de N, Emmaus House, Saginaw (2013); Edna Kujawski, St. Agatha Parish, Gagetown (2012); Sister Maureen Donovan S.C., Sisters of Charity, Bay City (2011); Dr. Donald Campbell, St. John the Evangelist, Essexville (2010); Bishop Robert J. Carlson, Diocese of Saginaw (2009); Sister Corinne Weiss, SJ, Diocese of Saginaw (2008); Stanley Krajkowski, St. Casimir Parish, Saginaw (2007).
All are invited to attend the Bishop's Ball. The Bishop's Ball gathers together the local faith community to celebrate all that is done to continue the evangelizing mission of Jesus Christ. The event includes the Bishop Murphy Award presentation, a silent auction, formal dinner, and live band and entertainment.