Ed and Mary Bouquillon have been nominated and were selected by Archbishop Leonard Blair to receive the Archdiocesan Saint Joseph Medal of Appreciation for 2016. The Medal is given in recognition of service to the Parish and the Church in carrying out the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ through corporal and spiritual works of mercy.

Ed and Mary are long-time parishioners here at Saint Catherine of Siena and have been involved in many ministries and projects throughout their time in our parish.

Mary has long been involved in the Women’s Club Ministry, Comitas, St. Catherine of Siena Pantry Partners and the Prayer Shawl Ministry. In those roles Mary has been an integral part of feeding the hungry as well as coming to the needs of neighbors after illnesses or recovering from surgery by providing home cooked meals and in providing food staples to those in need here in our community. In addition, Mary has been involved in the many Women’s Club Ministries that have benefited the Saint Catherine community in a host of ways, both spiritually with the purchase of the Mary Statue and in the care of the Mary Garden.

Ed is the other half of this husband-wife team of support to our parish. Ed is a very active member of the Men’s Club Ministry and has for the last few years been a leader in the annual Golf Outing, which is the major fund raiser which brings in the lion’s share of that Ministry’s revenue to support their many good works in the parish and beyond. Additionally, Ed is an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion serving at Masses, and is also actively involved in Saint Catherine of Siena’s Pantry Partner Ministry. In this role, he works to collect and distribute Blessing Boxes of food each month to our neighbors in need right here in Simsbury.

I was much honored to have been able to nominate Ed and Mary Bouquillon for this award and was so pleased with the Archbishop’s approval. Mary and Ed exemplify the heart and soul of the Christian life by bringing Christ’s gifts of love, compassion and hope—all with a healthy dose of humility—to those in need, no matter what the need may be.

Congratulations, Ed and Mary, and on behalf of a grateful parish and those whom you serve, Ad multos annos!