RALEIGH – The Diocese of Raleigh announced Dec. 13 that 16 of its faithful have been honored by Pope Francis for their extraordinary service to the Catholic Church and the Holy See, which is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome.
A ceremony will take place Feb. 12, 2025, within the context of Evening Prayer at Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral and honorees will receive medals. Those who will be honored were nominated in writing earlier this year by Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama as part of the centennial celebration of the Diocese of Raleigh.
Five honorees were named for enrollment in the Order of Saint Gregory, an order of knighthood that was established in 1831 and whose members, in this case, receive the titles of Knight or Dame in recognition of their unusual labors and the examples they set for their community. The order’s insignia includes an eight-pointed cross that includes the image of St. Gregory and carries the motto ro Deo et Principe ("For God and Ruler").
Those named to the Order of St. Gregory are:
Mark Baric – showed leadership in the construction of St. Michael School in Cary and St. Mary Magdalene School in Apex. He helped to open the Durham Community Food Pantry and establish Cristo Rey Research Triangle High School.
John Healy - shared his considerable energy, leadership, and resources for the good of the local Church in roles such as parish finance council member, advisor to the bishop and creator of business plans for mobile food pantries.
Trish Healy – in leadership and charitable activities, she demonstrated her concern for those in need by serving on the Board of Directors for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh and other endeavors. In addition to advising the bishop on real estate matters, she played a significant role in the celebrations of the centennial.
*Tim Mann – as president of The Foundation of the Diocese of Raleigh, he established a secure basis for the charitable trusts that provide financial support to countless pastoral ministries. An experienced business leader, he has generously provided counsel to the diocese.
*Henry Zaytoun – a valued collaborator in the mission of the Church, he’s been a key advisor on centennial celebrations as well as a trusted advisor to clergy at his parish and the diocese.
* Awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross in 2017 for service to the Church as co-chair of fundraising and construction for the new cathedral of the diocese.
Two will be recipients of the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross, a distinction established in 1888 that today is given to those who have shown long and distinguished service to the Church. Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice translates to "For Church and Pope" in Latin and the insignia is a medal suspended from yellow and white ribbon.
Those named to receive the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross are:
Peter Le - executive director of St. Joseph Primary Care, he has built collaboration with local pastors into a source of medical care for the poor and especially for immigrants, regardless of their documentation. Through writing, he shared his personal story of finding grace through uniting his sufferings from cancer with the Cross of Christ.
**Anne Stahel - founded the Gerald L. Lewis Award for Excellence in Catholic Education, which is an annual honor. She served as an advocate at the Tribunal, and on numerous boards for education, charity, fundraising and diocesan celebrations.
**Received the Benemerenti Medal in 2011
Nine are recipients of the Benemerenti Medal. The word "Benemerenti" translates to "well-deserving" in Latin, and the award is given to people who have done significant good for the Church. The medal is a gold, Greek Cross depicting Christ with his hand raised in blessing.
Recipients of the Benemerenti Medal are:
Helen Blazuk – with faithfulness, efficiency and a good sense of humor, she served as the administrative assistant in the Office of the Vicar General for nearly 26 years, under the leadership of three successive bishops and four vicars general.
Gloria Burton - respected nationally by some of the most renown names in African American Catholic music, she shared her gifts for decades and encouraged musicians from the next generation while serving in music ministry at both the diocesan and parish levels.
Jose Cabrera – a parish business manager, he’s been a vital force in the expansion of Catholic education and his parish. His leadership was especially valuable in recovering from damage sustained in Hurricane Florence and during the COVID pandemic.
Sue Clifton – a food pantry volunteer and leader of a group that serves the elderly, she’s been committed to her parish for more than 30 years through roles on councils and committees. She was a source of unity in the parish community during times of leadership transitions.
Genaro Estrada - demonstrated his great love for the sacred liturgy of the Church through his dedicated service as one of principal sacristan for over 20 years. He was instrumental in beginning a parish ministry for married couples.
Vincent Ferretti – parish council member, minister to the sick, server, lector, and extraordinary minister of Holy Communion at Mass, he’s also served the Church as an advocate for couples engaged in the process of seeking a declaration of nullity. Often sought out for advice, he’s known to have a voice that provides truth.
William Findlay - distinguished himself as a support to three diocesan bishops, as an assistant emcee for diocesan liturgies and as a caregiver to several retired diocesan priests. He has demonstrated his great love for sacred liturgy through his dedicated service as one of the principal sacristans for his parish for 30 years.
Rose Mary Semenza - has hosted Sunday dinners in her home for priests for 60 years. Her hospitality provided a venue for priestly fraternity and a welcome sense of care for four bishops and countless priests who have been assigned to her parish or passed through her city.
Deacon Mike Vandiver – pivotal in dramatically expanding pastoral ministry to the incarcerated in the Diocese of Raleigh’s geographical area. He personally travels, often considerable distances, to bring the Word of God and the sacraments to inmates at prisons that do not have a priest available.