What: Presentation of the 2018 Bishop Murphy Award
Where: Bishop’s Ball, Horizons Conference Center, 6200 State Street, Saginaw
When: Friday, April 27, 5:30 p.m. Reception, 7 p.m. Dinner (All are Invited)
SAGINAW – The Most Rev. Joseph R. Cistone, Bishop of Saginaw, announced that Sister Elaine Raymond, MSSp, who is known for bringing Special Religious Education (SPRED) to Saginaw, and Charles Wargel, known for his extraordinary work building and repairing homes for those in need, will receive this year’s Bishop Murphy Award. The awards will be presented during the Bishop’s Ball on April 27 at Horizons Conference Center in Saginaw.
The Bishop Murphy Award recognizes the lifelong commitment of individuals who share and live their Catholic faith in ways that continue the evangelizing mission of Jesus Christ. The award is presented to individuals who have given witness throughout their lives, in word and deed.
“Both Sister Elaine and Charlie are powerful examples of what this award celebrates,” Bishop Cistone said. “They put faith into action and lead by example. They are true witnesses to the Good News of the Gospel, always serving with enthusiasm, humility and love.”
Sister Elaine Raymond, MSSp, has been engaged in an exceptional ministry for more than 40 years, bringing SPRED (Special Religious Education) to the Diocese of Saginaw. She has taught many special needs children and adults about their Catholic faith and has prepared them to receive the sacraments, while also training many other leaders who educate students in the program. Sister Elaine is a chaplain at Covenant HealthCare and a volunteer for Covenant VNA Hospice and Southern Care Hospice. In addition, she ministers at the Saginaw County Jail, assists at local food pantries, is involved with the Ezekiel Project and is very active at her parish, Christ the Good Shepherd in Saginaw.
Charles Wargel is also a parishioner at Christ the Good Shepherd in Saginaw. He started volunteering for Saginaw-Shiawassee Habitat for Humanity the day after he retired from his job as an engineer at General Motors. That was 20 years ago. In his two decades as a “full-time volunteer,” he has been part of the building and/or renovation of 184 homes. Recognizing the great demand for families in need of home repairs, Charles also helped kick start the local Habitat chapter’s home repair project and has helped more than 400 families through this initiative. Charles’ more than 40,000 hours volunteering as Project Manager for Habitat, as well as his personal contributions, have saved the agency more than $1 million. In addition to his Habitat commitment, Charles is dedicated to serving his parish community and bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ to others, both locally and nationally.
The Bishop’s Ball gathers together the local faith community to celebrate all that is done to continue the mission of Jesus Christ. In addition to the presentation of the Bishop Murphy Award, the event includes a silent auction, formal dinner, live band and entertainment. Ticket information may be found at www.saginaw.org
The following is a list of past award recipients along with their parish and/or organization and the year in which they received the Bishop Murphy Award: Leona Jones, St. Elizabeth Parish, Reese (2017) and Patricia Murdock, Holy Name of Mary Parish, Harbor Beach (2017); Olympia DeAgostino, Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption, Saginaw (2016) and Marie Wrocklage, St. Michael Parish, Maple Grove (2016); 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).