Bishop Bestows Medals Of Service

The Most Reverend William Murphy, bishop, Diocese of Rockville Centre, bestowed the first annual St. Agnes Medal of Service upon two Garden City residents.

Rose Innes, a parishioner of Saint Joseph parish, was nominated to receive the medal by pastor, Father Joseph M. Schlafer, for generously and unselfishly giving of herself to the parish.

Alyce DeLisio, a parishioner of St. Anne parish, was nominated to receive the medal by pastor, Monsignor John D. Gilmartin, for generously and unselfishly giving of herself to the parish.

"Honorees are lay people whose love of the Church has been shown through their devotion to the Holy Father, to our diocese and to their parish. "They are the unsung heroes in our midst who build up our parish communities by extraordinary service in parish ministry, parish administration or some significant volunteer role," said Bishop Murphy.

Bishop Murphy announced the creation of the medal at a January 21, Mass opening the anniversary year of the diocese. Pastors from each of the 133 parishes in the diocese were asked to nominate a lay person who unselfishly donates their time to their parish.

Designed and crafted in Rome by the jewelers Savi brothers, the medal features the image of St. Agnes, patroness of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, on one side and a depiction of St. Agnes Cathedral on the other. The 2-inch diameter medal is made to be worn around the neck.