For 44 years, Kathleen Filippelli has dedicated herself to shaping young minds in Catholic schools in Baltimore and Philadelphia.
The former principal of Father Charles Hall Catholic School in Baltimore and Holy Angels Catholic School in Baltimore fondly remembered watching her students grow, attending their games, cheering them on at debate competitions and celebrating their milestones long after they left her classroom.
“The best part of teaching, for me, was the relationships that I forged,” she said, noting that she worked hard to build partnerships and trust with parents so they knew she had their children’s best interests always at heart.
“If I could meet with new teachers, I would let them know how important it is to relate to the children,” said Filippelli, who was inspired to become a teacher by the witness of her third grade teacher at Sacred Heart School in Glyndon.
Now retired, Filippelli’s lifelong dedication to education earned her the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Medal of Honor – one of 11 awards given this year to individuals who demonstrated extraordinary service and ministry in their communities.
Archbishop William E. Lori conferred the honors at a private reception at his residence next to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore. Honorees will be publicly recognized in May at the archdiocesan Shine the Light Gala.
The recipients included teachers, human rights advocates, youth ministers and missionaries.
“These honorees are agents of positive change, each nourishing one or more of the five pillars of our archdiocesan mission: education, evangelization, liturgy, service and stewardship,” Archbishop Lori said. “Through their individual ministries, they show us some of the incredible ways the church is alive and at work right here in the Archdiocese of Baltimore.”
Among the recipients was Paula Maria Gentile, a parishioner of Our Lady of the Chesapeake in Pasadena, who has spent years fighting human trafficking. She received a medal for her efforts to raise awareness, work with law enforcement and assist survivors.
“Pope Francis has said that human trafficking is a scourge upon humanity and a wound in the body of Christ,” she said. “So, it is truly modern-day slavery. If I have done anything in giving others an awareness of it, helping survivors or victims, then I say, thank you, God, for allowing me this opportunity to serve.”
Redemptorist Father Ako Walker, pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus-Sagrado Corazón de Jesús in Highlandtown, received a medal for his work with the Hispanic community.
“This medal is for the people whom I serve; without them, I, of course, would not be who I am,” he said. “God has called me to serve as a priest, but serve as a priest in a community.”
Father Walker’s ministry took on even greater significance following last year’s collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, which claimed the lives of six workers, all immigrants. He organized a candlelight vigil and provided pastoral care to those affected by the tragedy.
Journeying with mourning families was a “powerful experience,” he said. He also called it humbling that they would allow him to be part of their lives.
“I thank God that I was able to be there for them and to support them in this moment of difficulty,” Father Walker said.
Also recognized with a medal was Andrew Middleton, director of the Apostleship of the Sea, who rushed to assist the crew of the Dali, the cargo ship that struck the bridge. His ministry, dedicated to supporting international seafarers at the Port of Baltimore, provides comfort and a haven to those navigating the aftermath of the disaster.
The next generation of Catholic leaders was also honored. High school students Tucker J. DeVack and Olivia Isabella Rotella, parishioners of St. Mark in Fallston, received the Jubilee Year of Hope Medal for their ministry and outreach to young people.
DeVack uses social media, video production and podcasting to share his faith. “This makes an impact on my life because it just furthered my relationship with God and my relationship with the church so that I can better serve the church and better understand what God is calling me to as a disciple,” he said.
Rotella has been involved in ministry from a young age, inspired by attending CCD classes with her mother.
“I’m just grateful for God’s guidance in my life – to lead me to such a point where I know that he is the main priority and the main purpose of my life,” she said.
As she prepares for college, Rotella hopes to continue making an impact. She wants others to know how important it is to “live every second” for God.
More than 100 nominations were submitted to recognize a diverse group of people from across the archdiocese. The nominations opened in December and were reviewed by an internal committee that recommended finalists to Archbishop Lori for his consideration.
Medals of Honor awardees were:
Evangelization and Liturgy
Father Erik Arnold, pastor of St. John the Evangelist in Severna Park
Father Arnold was nominated by parishioners who called him “kind, gentle, welcoming,” “consistently present” and who said his homilies are full of “treasures.”
Evangelization
Mario Jerónimo, a parishioner at Sacred Heart in Glyndon
Jerónimo offers social media commentaries, is active as an OCIA catechist and is active on the archdiocesan Hispanic Ministry Council.
Education
Kathleen Filippelli, retired principal of Holy Angels Catholic School in Baltimore
Filippelli was a Catholic educator for 40 years and has remained active in retirement with contributions to Partners in Excellence and the Women’s Educational Alliance.
Service
Andrew Middleton (selected alongside Redemptorist Father Ako Walker)
Through his leadership of Apostleship of the Sea, including in the aftermath of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, Middleton has provided critical outreach.
Service
Redemptorist Father Ako Walker (selected alongside Andrew Middleton), pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus-Sagrado Corazón de Jesús in Highlandtown
Father Walker has stood in solidarity with underserved and underrepresented communities of faith and has accompanied those who lost loved ones in the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
Service
Paula Maria Gentile, a parishioner of Our Lady of the Chesapeake in Pasadena
Gentile has worked to combat human trafficking and has made many contributions to the Respect Life Committee, the St. Dymphna Mental Health Ministry and the Seven Sisters Apostolate.
Stewardship
Ike and Uju Okwesili, parishioners at Holy Family in Randallstown
The Okwesilis have provided counsel for the benefit of all their fellow parishioners and service to the Nigerian Igbo Catholic Community.
Catholic Social Ministry
Tamara Beigel, a parishioner of St. Mary’s in Annapolis and founder of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Ministry
Beigel is an advocate for the immigrant community who provides love to families and ensures they have support and urgent help when needed.
Jubilee of Hope
Olivia Isabella Rotella (honored alongside Tucker DeVack), a parishioner at St. Mark in Fallston and a Harford County high school student
Rotella has passionately shared her faith through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Fallston High School and volunteer efforts.
Jubilee of Hope
Tucker J. DeVack (honored alongside Olivia Isabella Rotella), a parishioner of St. Mark in Fallston and a Loyola Blakefield sophomore
DeVack has shared his faith through social media, a podcast, the Bible study group he created and has served as a peer minister.
Kaci Scherrer, a Catholic Review high school intern from Mercy High School in Baltimore, contributed to this story.
To view more photos from the event, visit: https://catholicreview.smugmug.com/Archdiocesan-Medals-of-Honor-2025
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