FALL RIVER — Forty-three young persons from across the Diocese of Fall River were honored with the Pope Saint Pius X Youth Award for their service to their parish in a May 9th evening prayer service in St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River.

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., presented the annual awards that recognize teens who serve their parish community with selflessness, commitment, and dedication.

The annual award is named for the pontiff who created the Fall River Diocese in 1904.

Recipients, who are nominated for the award by their pastor, support their parish through a variety of ministries and activities.

Citing in his homily their service as lectors, Eucharistic ministers, religious education teachers, youth group leaders, ministry volunteers, and more, Bishop da Cunha encouraged them to remain committed and involved.

“You can find true joy and happiness in helping others and working for the greater good,” said Bishop da Cunha. “In acknowledging you tonight, in acknowledging your service, we want to say thank you for all that you do and all you will continue doing.”

The Pope Saint Pius X Award itself is a medal bearing the image of St. Pius X along with his motto, “Receive all things in Christ.”

Award recipients must have already received the Sacrament of Confirmation, be at least a sophomore in high school and not older than 19.

Those honored with the 2022 Pope St. Pius X Youth Award and their parishes are listed below by deanery.

​Attleboro Deanery

Erica N. DiCorpo, St. Mary Parish, Mansfield; Thomas Field, Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Parish, Seekonk; Marisa R. Guertin, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Seekonk; Andrew McDonagh, St. John the Evangelist Parish, Attleboro; Mathieu C. Salois, St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Parish, Attleboro; and Matthew F. Williams, St. Mary Parish, Norton.

Cape Cod Deanery

Emilia Alliegro, Christ the King Parish, Mashpee; Anna M. Bangs, Corpus Christi Parish, East Sandwich; Mark C. Clements Jr., Good Shepherd Parish, Vineyard Haven; Daniel Cordeiro, Our Lady of Victory Parish, Centerville; Jonathan T. King, St. Margaret Parish, Buzzards Bay; Emma Krzeminski, St. Joan of Arc Parish, Orleans; Nathali B. Lopez Mejia, St. Mary-Our Lady of the Isle Parish, Nantucket; Emma M. Meehan, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth; Olivia Prisco, Holy Trinity Parish, West Harwich; Katherine M. Sanborn, St. Pius X Parish, South Yarmouth; and John Szucs, Jr., Our Lady of the Cape Parish, Brewster.

Fall River Deanery

Lauany Borba, St. Mary Cathedral Parish, Fall River; Mark Desbiens Jr., St. Joseph Parish, Fall  River; Jayden L. Ferreira, Santo Christo Parish, Fall River; Sophia R. Fortin, St. George Parish, Westport; Alec Gagnon, St. John the Baptist Parish, Westport; Camille Gendron, Our Lady of Grace Parish, Westport; Makenzie L. Jacob, St. John of God Parish, Somerset; Nathan D. Kuznar, Holy Name Parish, Fall River; Leah J. Medeiros, St. Stanislaus Parish, Fall River; and Brandon Silva, St. Michael Parish, Fall River.

New Bedford Deanery

Lauren Antao, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, New Bedford; Ava R. Borges, St. Joseph Parish, Fairhaven; Jorge R. Carrillo III, St. Rita Parish, Marion; Julia O. Farias, Immaculate Conception Parish, New Bedford; Madison Fiano, St. Lawrence Martyr Parish, New Bedford; Sarah Furtado, St. Julie Billiart Parish, North Dartmouth; Andrew P. Martin, St. Francis Xavier Parish, Acushnet; Natalie D. Morrison, St. Patrick Parish, Wareham; Marc F. Pothier, St. Anthony Parish, Mattapoisett; Jeffrey Radek, St. John Neumann Parish, East Freetown; and Samantha H. Simon, St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish, New Bedford.

Taunton Deanery

Caitlin J. Brawley, Annunciation of the Lord Parish, Taunton; Anthony M. Calisi II, Holy Cross Parish, South Easton; Gabrielle Fielding, St. Ann Parish, Raynham; Victoria Hart, Holy Family Parish, East Taunton; and Colin L. O’Leary, St. Nicholas of Myra Parish, North Dighton.

Watch the Pope St. Pius X Youth Awards Presentation on YouTube here.

The Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D.
The Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D.
The Bishop of Fall River