Teens to be honored with Pope St. Pius Award

     Fifty-four young persons from parishes throughout the Fall River Diocese will receive the Pope St. Pius X Youth Award from Bishop George W. Coleman in the context of a 7 p.m. prayer service on Tuesday, May 20, at St. Mary's Cathedral in Fall River.
     The annual award, named for the pontiff who created the Fall River Diocese in 1904 and presented for the first time in 2001, recognizes teens who serve their parish community with selflessness, commitment and dedication.  Recipients were nominated for the honor by their pastor.
     "Those selected to receive the award are active in their parishes in a variety of ways," said Crystal Lynn Medeiros who helps coordinate youth and young adult ministry in the diocesan Faith Formation Office. "They serve as lectors, Eucharistic ministers, altar servers, cantors, catechists, or in youth ministry, to name a few examples.  What they all share in common is a dedication to their faith. They're living out their call to discipleship in the Church."
     Award recipients must have already received the Sacrament of Confirmation, be at least a sophomore in high school and not older than 19.
     The prayer service will include two reflections to be offered by two of the award recipients.  Joseph Tutino of Annunciation of the Lord Parish, Taunton, will speak on "Youth and Scripture" and Joshua N. Hammarquist of St. Francis Xavier Parish, Acushnet, will share "A Vision of Youth in the Church."
     The music ministry of St. Michael's Parish in Fall River will provide music for the service and the reading will be given by award recipient Renee Bernier of  St. Dominic Parish, Swansea.
Recipients' families and friends will be present for the award celebration along with many of their parish priests. A reception for the recipients will follow the prayer service.
     The following is a list of local  Pope St. Pius X Award recipients and their parishes
David Beissner, Sacred Heart Parish, North Attleborough; Matthew G. Gill, St. John the Evangelist, Attleboro; Sarah A. Lapointe, St. Mary, North Attleborough; Eleanor D. Parenteau, St. Stephen, Attleboro; and Alyssa Rizzo, St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, Attleboro.