2015 John Cardinal Wright Vocations Mass
The Thirteenth Annual John Cardinal Wright Vocations Mass was held on August 23rd, 2015 at 4:00pm. The Vocations Mass and the Awards Dinner was held at St. Paul's Seminary, 2900 Noblestown Rd. Crafton, PA 15205.
The Principal Celebrant is Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, class of 1967,
and the Concelebrant is Pittsburgh's Bishop David A. Zubik, (Honorary Class of 1967).
We would like to thank the Diocese of Pittsburgh, the seminarians and faculty and the rector of St. Paul Seminary, for allowing us to use their facility for our celebration.
To see photos of past Vocation Masses and Awards Dinners,
2015 John Cardinal Wright Vocations Mass
The 13th Annual Vocations Mass was held in the Bishop John McDowell Auditorium at the seminary. Cardinal DiNardo was the celebrant. Bishop David Zubik and retired Aux. Bishop William Winter concelebrated, and they were joined by BLS alumni and other priests of the diocese.
2015 John Cardinal Wright Awards Dinner
A buffet dinner was served at the Cardinals Great Hall at St Paul Seminary.
Over 130 attended, including Cardinal DiNardo, Bishop Zubik, Bishop Winter, and the seminarians and faculty of St Paul Seminary.
2015 John Cardinal Wright Awards Winners
Ms. Angela Gaughan, Director of Youth Ministry & Social ServiceOutreach, St Bernard Parish. Angela Gaughan, a non-Latin School honoree, serves as the Director of Youth Ministry & Social Service Outreach at St. Bernard Parish where her energy, enthusiasm and love for God help youth and adults grow in their faith and reach out to others. Angela, the daughter of the late Harry & Frances Gaughan, was born and raised in Mt. Lebanon. She is a 1984 graduate of Mt. Lebanon H.S. She graduated Seton Hill University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Angela taught for 3 years at Brookline Regional Catholic School and for 6 years in the Pgh. Public Schools, where she saw the hardships and suffering of children and families struggling with the impact of poverty and violence. Angela served as the Program Director of Mom’s House (currently Angel’s Place) in Pittsburgh for 3 years. She then served as Youth Minister at St Albert the Great and Coordinator of Religious Education at St Alexis in Wexford and earned a Master’s in Religious Education from Duquesne University in 2010.
Serra Club of Pittsburgh
The Serra movement first came to Pittsburgh via Milwaukee. The Pittsburgh club started in 1943 when it was formally recognized, and received Charter #20. Frank Bruce, who headed the Bruce Publishing Co. in Milwaukee, had become a Serran. Joe Breig, a Pittsburgh newspaper columnist who reviewed Frank's books, became friends. Frank reached out to Joe to help gather a few men with whom he might meet and explain the workings of Serra Club. Joe rounded up 8 men, including Art Rooney and Leo Vogel, and in June 1943 and they interested others to join. It took a year and a half to meet the requirements for a Serra Charter, which was awarded on February 9, 1945. Reaching out to keep their vocation objective visible, Serra has developed projects geared towards stimulating the curiosity of students from grade school to university. Since the establishment of the Diocesan Vocations Office in 1948, Pittsburgh Serra has responded to multiple requests for assistance. Diocesan Director of Vocations, Father Joe Freedy, a Cardinal Wright Award winner himself; serves as their organization's chaplain. Many alumni may also fondly recall being invited to attend Steeler games back at old Pitt Stadium with tickets provided by Serra Club member, Mr. Arthur J. Rooney.
Rev. Thomas Lewandowski, BLS '75
Fr. Lewandowski had his initial assignment at St. Basil's in Carrick. Other assignments included Immaculate Conception, North American Martyrs, and St. Camillus. Later he was appointed as an administrator to assist Fr. Dennis Colamarino after Fr. Colamarino had been diagnosed with ALS. Since Fr. Colamarino's recent passing, Fr. Lewandowski has recently been named pastor of those parishes (Christ the Light of the World and St Joseph's in Duquesne) by Bishop David Zubik. Returning to his home parish, "Was a gift," Fr. Lewandowski had said at the time. "It was awesome to have Father Dennis as a mentor. He was a strong witness of how to live and love and how to die with dignity and still be joyful no matter what,”. But now, with these gigantic shoes to fill, it will be Fr. Tom Lewandowski's turn to lead the people of his hometown parishes, a daunting task to be sure, but certainly one which he is most capable of performing. In his spare time, Fr. Tom has delivered five tractor trailer loads of goods to the Fr. Beiting Appalachia Mission Center. He may now be a priest, but apparently inside he's still a truck driver at heart. Being "on the road again" will obviously always be a great pleasure for this former tractor trailer operator now-turned priest! Fr. Lewandowski will be blessed to have his father, Edmund, 92, in attendance for his award as well as his older brother, Dennis, also a B.L.S. graduate, Class of '72. His mother, Blanche (2004) and another brother, Anthony, are now deceased.
Bishop Zubik talks about the seminarians.
Cardinal DiNardo, BLS class of '67,
begins with the invocation.
Fr. Vaskov and Fr. Freedy set up for the "Pgh Priest" video.
Dr. Pat Joyce, BLS Class of '67, updates us on the Rev Joseph E. Henry S.J. endowment
Ms. Angela Gaughan gives her acceptance speech.
Mr. Paul (Manny) Wilt accepts the John Cardinal Wright Award for the Serra Club of Pittsburgh
Fellow Serrans also attended the Mass and Dinner.
Mr. Dennis Lewandowski, BLS Class of '72, introduces his brother, Fr. Tom.
Fr. Tom Lewandowski, BLS Class of '75, accepts the John Cardinal Wright Award.
