Archdiocesan gala returns with emphasis on education, honors

The Archdiocese of Baltimore revived the archdiocesan Medal of Honor, bestowing the award to 12 individuals at the Shine the Light Gala April 22.

The gala, which made an in-person return after more than three years without a gathering, also paid tribute to Catholic education in the archdiocese, raising more than $960,000 to provide scholarships to Catholic schools.

Archbishop William E. Lori acknowledges Medal of Honor recipients and guests during the Archdiocese of Baltimore Shine the Light Gala April 22, 2023, at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

The new Medals of Honor were given in support of the five pillars of the archdiocesan mission statement and Archbishop William E. Lori’s pastoral letter, “A Light Brightly Visible 2.0”: liturgy, evangelization, education, service and stewardship.

The archbishop noted that the gala began in 2009 to mark 200 years of Catholic education in the United States. “This evening, I am happy to report that Catholic education is alive and well in the archdiocese,” citing an enrollment increase of 12 percent in the last two years, and the opening of the first new Catholic school in Baltimore City in 60 years, Mother Mary Lange Catholic School in 2021.

“Our mission is not just to educate but also to help our students discover the joy and the utter importance of experiencing God’s friendship. In the process, we offer a high-quality education in an affirming, safe environment,” he said.

He honored all the educators present for their dedication.

Archbishop Lori said the Medals of Honor to be awarded that evening show that God is at work in our midst, and that they honor extraordinary lives of faith and service in the local church.

Although only a few of those who are dedicated to the church were to be honored at the gala, the archbishop said, “all of us can know the joy of sharing in the mission. The Lord is calling each one of us to spread the Gospel.”

A Medal of Honor prior to the Archdiocese of Baltimore Shine the Light Gala. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

The archbishop noted that he had just returned from several days in Rome, including two opportunities to greet Pope Francis in person. While he was there, he renewed his advocacy for the canonization cause of Mother Mary Lange.

“Rome is nice, but there’s no place like home. … This is the place where my heart is – and it’s where yours is, too,” he said.

He said his heart is with the archdiocese “through thick and through thin … in our day-to-day life, in its triumphs and in its tragedies, in those who rejoice, and yes, in those who suffer, especially those who have suffered the hands of church representatives,” referencing the recent report on clergy sexual abuse in the archdiocese over a period of 80 years.

“Mutually acknowledging our failures, let us gratefully acknowledge our blessings,” Archbishop Lori said. “Let us acknowledge the clear and unmistakable evidence that God is at work in our midst.”

He added, “One of the reasons that makes our spiritual home so special and so beautiful is the extraordinary lives of faith and service in this local church – extraordinary faith and service exemplified in those whom we are honoring this evening.”

Grammy Award nominee for music education, Tony Small, shares his story on the importance of Catholic education as the keynote speaker for the Archdiocese of Baltimore Shine the Light Gala. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

The archbishop noted that one of the most difficult parts of preparing for the gala was selecting the honorees. “It’s not that there are few people to honor. Rather, it’s because there are so many,” he said, before welcoming Auxiliary Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., to help present the new Archdiocesan Medals of Honor.

The medal itself is a glass emblem with five overlapping circles to create a floret, representing the five pillars of the mission statement. The medal also features the Calvert Cross, symbolizing the roots of the Catholic Church in the U.S., and a star representing the Blessed Virgin Mary, patroness of the archdiocese. The cross and star are also elements of the archdiocesan crest.

Bishop Lewandowski said the awardees represented the great diversity of the archdiocese.

The medals are named for trailblazing Catholics from the early history of the archdiocese as well as more recent decades. The 2023 recipients are:

The Neumann-Valenzano Medal, given to a pastor who exemplifies what it means to build a vibrant faith community: Father Francis Ouma, pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Havre de Grace.
The Dubourg-Pacione Award, recognizing lay people who have greatly impacted the work of evangelization: Dr. Joseph C. Orlando and Gilbert A. Hoffman Sr., who were instrumental in the founding the Catholic Men’s Fellowship of Maryland more than 25 years ago.
The Seton-Sellinger Award for leadership in the ministry of Catholic education: School Sister of Notre Dame Delia Dowling, who was instrumental in the founding of Sisters Academy of Baltimore, and presented the invocation for the gala in a mix of word and song.
The Joubert-Miller Award, recognizing people who have stood in solidarity with underserved and underrepresented communities of faith: Sherita Thomas, who has chaired the archdiocese’s Coordinating Committee on Racial Justice since its founding in 2020; and Deacon Edison Morales, Jose G. Ramirez, Carlos Arias and Jose Ezequiel Melo – who worked as a team at Sacred Heart of Jesus/Sagrado Corazón de Jesús Parish in Highlandtown, to help the Hispanic population of southeast Baltimore during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Lange-Mortel Award for innovation and entrepreneurship in Catholic social ministries: Kelly Obermayer, executive director of Mary’s Home of Maryland.
The O’Neill-Baldwin Award for stewardship and philanthropy: Walter and Diane Conolley, supporters of various ministries of the church, including the Towson University Newman Center, who were nominated for the award by five different people, Bishop Lewandowski said.

The gala also featured dances from Danza Allegra, a Mexican-American folkloric group especially active at Sacred Heart of Jesus/Sagrado Corazón de Jesús, Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of Pompeii and St. Patrick.

WBAL-TV news anchor Andre Hepkins emcees the Archdiocese of Baltimore Shine the Light Gala. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

In the gala keynote speech, Tony Small, a music teacher at St. Vincent Pallotti High School Arts Academy in Laurel and director of music ministry at St. Bernardine Parish in West Baltimore, said, “It is so important to talk about the importance and power of Catholic education.”

A piano prodigy at age 4 who started playing music for the church at age 6, Small said he is proud that his life in music education has been in Catholic schools. “I love being able to still do what I love,” he said.

He honored the teachers at Catholic schools, including many attending the gala, saying, “I applaud you educators. I know you get tired. You are so marvelous, and I am so proud to be one of the Catholic educators.”

Small and two members of the St. Bernardine Gospel Ensemble completed the event with a brief performance of worship songs.

More than 400 attended the gala, which will now be held biennially in the spring, so the funds raised will be spread over two years to support the Partners in Excellence scholarship program.

With this year’s gala, the total raised since 2009 reached almost $10 million, which has provided more scholarships for more than 2,500 students, Archbishop Lori said.

Email Christopher Gunty at editor@CatholicReview.org.

To view more photos from the gala, click below: