James and Patti Lou Peters were named this year’s recipients of the Archbishop’s Saint Joseph Medal of Appreciation for their service to Saint Catherine of Siena Parish. The Award is given out each year to parishioners across the Archdiocese for dedicated service to God through the Church. The Award was founded by then-Archbishop Daniel A. Cronin to recognize the various corporal works of mercy performed by Catholics as part of living out their faith in their daily activities of life.

The award ceremony on Sunday, April 14, at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Hartford. Saint Joseph is the patron saint of the Universal Church and the Archdiocese of Hartford. The award takes its name from the saint entrusted by God with the care of the Blessed Virgin Mary and as the earthly and human father of Christ, caring for, guiding and protecting the Lord and the Holy Family on earth. The Cathedral was packed with attendees on this bright and sunny afternoon, filling up the main body of the Cathedral as well as the side sections and all the way to the main doors. More than 200 priests processed in with Arch-bishop Mansell, who led the prayer service and ceremony, and who met with each of the 213 recipients in the special ceremony.

Longtime parishioners Patti Lou and James Peters have been involved in our parish through various ministries. By way of example only, Patti Lou has long been an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at Mass and joined her husband, Jim, organizing the kitchen for the annual parish picnic—serving more than 700 hungry guests in a timely and very welcoming way. It was a great deal of organizing and effort to successfully pull-off such a large event. Additionally, in an unofficial capacity, Patti Lou has been a great champion for our religious education students representing us well to the Simsbury school system. James is a long time lector at Mass, is the current secretary of the Parish Council, and is a very active member of the Men’s Club where among other things he organizes the annual Men’s retreat at Holy Family Monastery. Both Patti Lou and Jim—along with their family members—have also been involved in our parish’s annual Leaf Raking event which is well known in the Simsbury community.

Jim and Patti Lou represent the best of Christian charity by quietly working to carry out Christ’s mission and ministry right here in our community. Never seeking applause but doing God’s Will through the gifts and talents He has bestowed on them. The Saint Joseph Medal of Appreciation nomination is made without the recipient’s knowledge and it is only after being approved by the archbishop that the awardees are informed. I wish to personally thank Jim and Patti Lou for all their wonderful efforts over many years to be part of such an active parish com-munity that offers me no shortage of potential nominees. May God continue to bless them and their family for their service, and for all those who join them in this great mission.