Catholic Diocese of Youngstown

EAGLE of the CROSS

Awards

Administered by the
Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry
Funded by the
Annual Bishops Appeal
 Banquet Seating
(Recipients listed alphabetically, seating assigned as response forms were received.
Please see the chart in the hall entry for guest seating assignments.)

Most Reverend George V. Murry, S.J. and Guests Table no. 1

Adam Joseph Bryan and Guests Table no. 22
Olivia Christopher and Guests Table no. 24
Ryan Deskar and Guests Table no. 19
Robert Eckart and Guests Table no. 23
Jonathan Feigert and Guests Table no. 8
Celeste Ana Gonzalez and Guests Table no. 9
Chloe Jones and Guests Table no. 14 Nineteenth Annual
Carly Koewacich and Guests Table no. 2

EAGLE of the CROSS

Thomas Laveck and Guests Table no. 15
Anastasia McLeod and Guests Table no. 6
Elizabeth Ann Mintus and Guests Table no. 16
Katrina Marie Neff and Guests Table no. 20
Gabrielle Tina Olivieri and Guests Table no. 7
Emily Elise Paul and Guests Table no. 26 Eucharistic Liturgy
David J. Puzder and Guests Table no. 19 and
Mark A. Ricciardi and Guests Table no. 5 Awards Banquet
Megan Roden and Guests Table no. 11
Therese B. Rose and Guests Table no. 13
Casarra Ann Rosenberg and Guests Table no. 3
Kevin Ruppert and Guests Table no. 21
Patrice Rose Rutherford and Guests Table no. 17
Frank Vincent Sobnosky, Jr. and Guests Table no. 18
Nathan Steadman and Guests Table no. 10
Dominic Anthony Tedde and Guests Table no. 25
William John Thompson III and Guests Table no. 12 Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Catholic School Personnel Table no. 27-29 Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Youngstown, Ohio
6:00 PM

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A Reflection on the Eagle of the Cross Award

Both the eagle and the cross are symbols deeply rooted in Scripture and
Catholic tradition, and both speak to and about the young people being honored
in this ceremony.

The crossBy the sign of the cross traced in Baptism, a person is marked
forever as a follower of Jesus Christ. The cross is the trophy of victory of
Jesus who overcame death and promises life forever. The cross is the unique
sacrifice of Christ who calls his disciples to Take up [their] cross and follow
[him], and who has left us an example that [we] should follow in his steps.
(Catechism of the Catholic Church, #618)
The eagleA symbol of integrity and faithfulness, individuality and majestic
beauty. The eagle is a symbol of Gods faithful love and care. Unique among
birds for its clarity of vision the eagle is the only bird that can look directly
into the sun. The Book of Revelation speaks of four living creatures around the
throne of God, symbolizing the writers of the four Gospels. The eagle in
Christian tradition represents the Gospel of John which begins directly with
the vision of God: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God (John 1:1)
The eagle and the cross have a unique association in the person of John. As the
youngest apostle, John was probably only a teenager and was the only apostle
who stood near the cross of Jesus with Mary, his Mother. Just as he was one
of the first disciples to be called by Jesus, John was the first person who ran
to the tomb on Easter Morning; when he reached the tomb, the Scriptures
record, He saw and believed. St. Paul wrote in his letter to Timothy, another
young follower of Jesus, Let no one disregard you because you are young, but
be an example to all believers in the way you speak and behave, in your love,
your faith and your purity. You have in you a spiritual giftdo not neglect it
(1 Timothy 4: 12, 14) 1999, SISTER MARY BRENDON ZAJAC,
SND
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WHAT IS THE EAGLE OF THE CROSS?
The Eagle of the Cross, created originally by the National
Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM), is the highest
recognition that our Diocese confers on a youth. It is given to
extraordinary teens who selflessly serve their peers and parishes
in unwavering commitment and dedication as communicated by the
nominating adult.
Since 1999, The Eagle of the Cross has been given annually in the Diocese of
Youngstown to select high school juniors and seniors who show particular zeal in the
improvement of their parish youth ministry program, high school ministry teams or
other ministries within the Diocese. The nominees must be practicing Catholics who
exemplify the qualities of moral integrity, prayer, good works and Christian
leadership. Awardees can receive only once. You can find the names of previous
recipients posted online at:
http://youngstownoyyam.weebly.com/eagle-of-cross-awards.html
Nominations for the Eagle of the Cross are to be completed by an adult (not the
nominee), be it a parish staff member, high school personnel, parishioner, or friend.
Each nominator must answer essay questions addressing the nominees participation
in parish and high school youth ministry programs, providing examples of the
qualities mentioned above. The award is not geared toward quantitative service
hours but to the integrity of the individual and how well s/he is perceived by the
nominator as an outstanding Catholic Christian.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS CONTINUED:
LicenSingOnline for permission to reprint under license #600347
Prayers by Edward Hays, Prayers for the Domestic Church: A Handbook for
Worship in the Home, Evening Meal Blessing Prayers. Leavenworth, KS: Forest of
Peace Books, Inc., 1979, p. 111.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
A sincere and heartfelt THANK YOU
to all who helped in the preparation and celebration of this evening.
In particular
Most Reverend George V. Murry, S.J.
Bishop of Youngstown
2017 Recipients who assisted with our evening
 ENTRANCE PROCESSION
Mrs. Tina McCue and musicians from J.F. Kennedy High School

Dinner pianist William Wainio

Fusillo Catering, Sandra Greco Cakes and Briels Florist

Bob Zajack and Studio Six Photography

All the nominators who took the time to share stories with us
about these outstanding teens

Families and mentors to the recipients who nurtured faith and

encouraged Christian Leadership

Special thanks to our Hosts for their generous hospitality

~~ Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica ~~
Reverend Monsignor Michael J. Cariglio, Jr., Pastor

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MEMORIAL OF SAINT ATHANASIUS, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH

WELCOME Robert Eckart & Celeste Gonzalez

3
PENITENTIAL RITE
 LITURGY OF THE WORD
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica
FIRST READING ACTS 7: 51 8: 1A Established in 1908

Our Lady of Mount Carmel was founded by Catholic immigrants coming to Italy
in search of a new way of life. Today, the community of over 1,000 families is
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
committed to the faith and life of the Church with a profound sense of
tradition and with a contemporary voice of Christ and the Church in our world.
The Italian-American heritage is still very much part of the Churchs fiber in a
way that welcomes all. (Excerpted from Parish brochure)

Stained Glass windows

Left of the altar - front of Church to back: Right of the altar:

Christ in the Garden of Gethsemene St. Aloyisus Gonzaga

St. Paschal Baylon & St. Stephen &

St. Mark the Evangelist St. Vincent Ferrer

St. Lucy St. Francis of Assisi

The Annunciation Sacred Heart of Jesus

With St. Margaret

Christ the Good Shepherd & St. Anthony of Padua

Queen of the Holy Rosary with the Child Jesus

Our Lady of Mount Carmel The Visitation of Mary

Appearing to St. Simon Stock to Elizabeth

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 The Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

In addition to organizing this awards program on behalf of the diocese, the

Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry (OY&YAM) directs the biennial Diocesan
Youth Convention (DYC) in even-numbered years (next one on Sunday, November 4,
2018) and the diocesan delegation to the National Catholic Youth Conference
(NCYC) in the odd years (November 16-19, 2017) in Indianapolis, Indiana, as well as
other periodic programs like the World Youth Day Pilgrimage to Krakow, Poland last
summer.

The OY&YAM provides resources to parishes and Catholic agencies within

the diocese to assist with outreach to high school teens and those in their twenties
and thirties.

As an Eagle of the Cross recipient, you are now invited to join the Facebook
group with other recipients at https://www.facebook.com/groups/41773267352/ .
GOSPEL JOHN 6: 30 -
35
After you graduate from high school, be sure to check out young adult
ministry opportunities at your campus, post/station or parish, as well as those in our HOMILY MOST REVEREND GEORGE V. MURRY, S.J.
diocese! BISHOP OF YOUNGSTOWN

Additional information about the programs and services of the OY&YAM are UNIVERSAL PRAYERS RESPONSE: LORD, HEAR OUR
available on the diocesan website, http://doy.org/index.php/diocesan-offices/ PRAYER.
youth-a-young-adult-ministry and at http://youngstownoyyam.weebly.com.

OY&YAM also uses social media:

Facebook: Youngstown-Youth Young-Adults

Pinterest: YoungstownYouth

Instagram @CindeeNYoungstown

Twitter @YoungInYTown

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 5
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

PREPARATION OF THE GIFTS

6
Dominic A. Tedde Basilica of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Youngstown
Senior Hickory High School
Dominic is an altar server, weekend Sacristan and Eucharistic Minister*; he is a good example for
younger members of the parish. He is a Chaplain in the Boy Scouts, has attended the March for
Life, and is involved in nursing home interaction activities. He has participated in local food and
clothing drives for the poor and helps with various parish activities.
William John Thompson III Blessed Sacrament, Warren
Senior Mineral Ridge High School
Wil is involved with our EPIC Teen youth group where he has attended leadership meetings,
Kairos retreats, mission trips and has helped with various service opportunities. He will serve as
leader of this years Kairos retreat. He has volunteered for our parish Community Outreach Day
and has helped in fundraising activities.
*Please note that due to space constraints, the shorter form of Extraordinary Minister of
Holy Communion was used throughout the biographies.
His Eagle Scout project was building a rosary walk at the cemetery. Through youth ministry he
has worked at the soup kitchen and helped set a good example for the younger children.
Patrice Rose Rutherford St. Paul, Canton
Senior St. Thomas Aquinas High School
Patrice volunteers regularly at her parish functions and in the community to help people less
fortunate. She helps to take care of her grandparents and siblings. She regularly attends
LifeTeen and has been involved with Vacation Bible School for many years. She willingly accepts
the offer to pray and lead discussions. She volunteers at her school and Catholic Charities.
Frank Vincent Sobnosky, Jr. St. Rose, Girard
Senior Ursuline High School
Frank is a Student Ambassador for the school and mentors incoming freshmen. He has been an
altar server at his parish for many years and now helps train new servers. His Eagle Scout
project was to build a U.S. flagpole at his church. He is a natural leader of his classmates and
often speaks for them at the principals meeting after liturgies.

Alex Solorzano Our Lady of Peace, Ashtabula

Senior Lakeside High School
Alex is on the Youth Ministry Core team where he has been a liaison between the program and
the Hispanic community encouraging them to get involved in Youth Ministry projects; he has
planned liturgies during our service trip to Kentucky and served as leader of prayer. He has
helped with VBS and will help plan this years event. He is a CCD classroom and office aide.
2017 Eagle of the Cross Judges
Nathan Steadman St. Joseph Calasanctius, Jefferson
Bob Barto Elaine Donchess Senior St. John High School
Marcy Fessler Marnie Kelty Nathan leads morning prayer at his school. He is a server, Lector, and Eucharistic Minister* for
Jackie Procise Julie Sutton both school and parish. He has participated in NCYC, DYC, March for Life, Catholic Charities
programs, and the Cumberland, KY mission trip. He was part of the summer HOBY leadership
Cindee Case (Secretary)
camp so that he could in turn help empower younger students to become leaders.

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19 EUCHARISTIC ACCLAMATIONS M ASS OF CREATION,

Kevin Ruppert St. Joseph, Massillon HAUGEN
Senior Jackson High School
Kevin has served as activities leader at our parish Vacation Bible School for the past two years.
He serves the parish in many other ways including altar server, Eucharistic Minister* and Lector.
 COMMUNION RITE

THE LORDS PRAYER

SIGN OF PEACE

LAMB OF GOD

MEMORIAL ACCLAMATION

7
AMEN 8
David J. Puzder Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Aurora Anastasia has served her parish as altar server, Eucharistic Minister* and Sacristan assistant.
She has been on the Teen Mass leadership team and helps the elderly with yard and house work.
Senior Aurora High School
She is an assistant leader at VBS and organizer for the Kairos retreats. She has gone on the
David shows kindness and humility as a Eucharistic Minister* at Mass; his example encourages
mission trip to Kentucky and has taken on jobs that no one else was willing to do.
others to go forth and live a life of love and service. He is an active member of the Youth
Ministry team and attended the Tolle Lege program a week of seeking truth and understanding Elizabeth Ann Mintus St. John Paul II, Warren
of his faith. He is a prayer leader for his peers and will help lead the Youth Ministry retreat.
Junior John F. Kennedy High School
Mark A. Ricciardi St. Charles, Boardman Elizabeth is a server and Lector at her parish and school. She helps at the St. Vincent DePaul
Soup Kitchen and has gone on mission trips to Kentucky and Nicaragua and was a Kairos retreat
Senior Cardinal Mooney High School
leader this year. She is very active in the JFK Relay for Life team and will serve as the Captain
Mark is a school campus minister and altar server at school and his parish. He is on the
this year. She helps local animal shelter fundraising to fight animal abuse.
Celebrate team and has made four mission trips to Cumberland, KY. He has helped out with
outreach projects for the poor including the Thanksgiving food drive and Catholic Charities Katrina Marie Nef St. Brendan, Youngstown
Giving Tree. He always has a kind word and infectious smile for everyone.
Junior Austintown Fitch High School
Megan Roden Little Flower, Canton Katrina serves her parish as Lector, altar server, second grade CCD aide, and member of parish
council where she brings up ideas from her YM brainstorming sessions. She has been part of a
Senior Hoover High School
program to raise funds for local children with high medical bills. She has contributed 30 hours
Megan led the Youth group in planning and carrying out a week-long Vacation Bible School for the
of service to Dorothy Day House for her scout Silver Award.
children of the parish; she will do so again this year. She has served the developmentally
challenged at Misericordia in Chicago. She is a Cantor at mass and leads the parish most Gabrielle Tina Olivieri St. Michael the Archangel, Canton
Sundays saying that it leads to a more heartfelt, spiritual experience.
Senior Central Catholic High School
Therese B. Rose Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Youngstown Gabrielle is her schools liturgical coordinator and a dedicated Lector, officer/publicist of
Crusaders for Community a service organization, and morning prayer leader. She was first to
Senior Mother of Grace Homeschool volunteer to help at St. Joan of Arcs Confirmation retreat. It is typical of her to ask if she is
Therese is a leader in Youth group and an organist for two parishes. She is a Lector and Cantor
needed to fill in for someone who had to cancel out of doing a particular task.
at her parish and has helped out at fundraisers and VBS there. After the March for Life last
year, she gave an inspiring witness to her peers and parishioners. She is always available to lead Emily Elise Paul St. Joseph, Massillon
a group in prayer and willing to listen to anyone in crisis.
Senior Central Catholic High School
Casarra Ann Rosenberg Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Niles Emily is an excellent example of a person committed to living the gospel in the ways she treats
others and practices her faith. She is the student liaison on parish council and an altar server.
Senior John F. Kennedy High School
She is a participant in community service in the Stark County area. She is a commissioner for
Casarras music ministry is praising God through her guitar. She has served Special Olympics,
the schools service organization Crusaders for Community.
Mobile Meals, and St. Vincent DePaul. She has been on a mission trip to KY and returned with a
clearer ability to see the face of Christ in others. She has been an altar server, Lector and
Eucharistic Minister* and was a sponsor for youth attending RCIA classes.
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17 COMMUNION
Anastasia McLeod Blessed Sacrament, Warren
Junior Lakeview High School
 BLESSING

DISMISSAL

10
9
Concluding Rite
Jonathan Feigert St. Patrick, Hubbard THE 2017 EAGLE OF THE CROSS
Senior Hubbard High School AWARD RECIPIENTS
Johnathan has done volunteer work for his church, Second Harvest Food Bank and at a senior
care center in Liberty. He discerned his role as Pope youth leader for the Celebrate The following are excerpts from the essay questions written about each Eagle of the Cross Recipient.
weekend. After being an altar server for nine years he now trains the younger servers. He has (Nominators, please excuse any liberties taken with your work.)
been involved with CRS Helping Hands where 10,000 meals were packaged and sent to Africa.

Celeste Ana Gonzalez Assumption, Geneva Adam Joseph Bryan St. John the Evangelist, Summitville
Junior St. John High School Senior Carrollton High School
Celeste has been one of the leaders of a kindness group at her school that mentors young Adam chooses church over work but accomplishes both. When his Youth group was making final
students to always be a force of love in the world. She is a Lector at school liturgies. She is retreat preparations into the late evening, he got up early for his job but still made it to the
part of a group that helps the elderly and disabled with taking care of their homes. She has church hall by the 10 a.m. start. If he has friends over, he brings them to church, too. He has
made annual mission trips to Kentucky and has attended NCYC. been involved in fund raising for NCYC, doing chores for donations and cooking food for funds.

Chloe Jones Little Flower, Canton Olivia Christopher Holy Family, Poland
Senior GlenOak High School Senior Cardinal Mooney High School
Chloe is a youth group member and she lends her talents to VBS, the yearly Living Stations of Olivia leads by example; she represented Mooney at the Over the Edge fundraiser for
the Cross, and the 8th grade Confirmation retreat. She serves on the Christian Formation Beatitude House. She has gone to Kentucky twice for mission trips. She is part of a mentoring
committee as the youth group representative. She spent a week on a mission trip to Misericordia program for new freshman and goes out of her way to be of service to others. She is a member
Home in Chicago working with people with developmental disabilities. of the Celebrate and Hospital Visitation teams.

Carly Koewacich St. Charles, Boardman Ryan Deskar Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Aurora
Senior Ursuline High School Senior Walsh Jesuit High School
Carly is very active in Youth Ministry with mission trips to Appalachia and helping with Project Ryans witness at the youth retreat was Serving Others Serves Him since one of his major
GROW. She is a Eucharistic minister* and lector at school masses. She has attended many passions is service. He has been on mission trips to South Dakota to help the poor and at Miller
weekend and weeklong retreats and conferences taking much time to enrich her faith. She is House in Kent to aid the homeless. When his parents were ill he became a caretaker for both of
part of Students of Service emphasizing her outreach to the larger community. them. In Youth Ministry he has introduced service projects and retreats to consider joining.

Thomas Laveck Our Lady of Peace, Ashtabula Robert Eckart St. Joseph Calasanctius, Jefferson
Junior St. John High School Junior Jefferson High School
Thomas love for his family is shown in his care of his sister who has medical needs and his Roberts Eagle Scout project was rebuilding unsafe steps leading from the churchs side door and
grandparents. He is a Youth Ministry Core team member organizing events and developing the with youth ministry has built a ramp for a needy family. He was chosen as a teen leader for the
upcoming programs and always willing to lead prayer in meetings. He is a 5 th/6th grade classroom Confirmation retreat and VBS. In his well-mannered and respectful way, he knows his faith and
CCD aide and has helped with Vacation Bible School and the festival committee at his parish. what it asks of him and he says Yes.

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Ministers of the Celebration
Presider WELCOME AND OPENING REMARKS CINDEE CASE
Most Reverend George V. Murry, S.J. DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY
Bishop of Youngstown
Master of Ceremonies MEAL BLESSING GABRIELLE OLIVIERI AND CASARRA ROSENBERG
Rev. John E. Sheridan Vocations Office, St. Joseph Calasanctius Parish
Concelebrants/Priests Participating
Rev. Msgr. Michael Cariglio, J.C.L. Very Rev. Msgr. James A. Clarke, V.F.
Rev. Msgr. William J. Connell Rev. James M. Daprile The day is coming to a close,
Rev. Thomas Dyer Rev. Thomas Eisweirth and like the disciples on the road to Emmaus,
Rev. Don King Rev. William John Loveless we pause to break bread together.
Rev. Thomas McCarthy Rev. Richard Murphy
Rev. Raymond Paul Rev. Philip E. Rogers May our eyes be opened,
Rev. Msgr. Robert Siffrin, V.G. Rev. Michael Swierz and in this act of common sharing,
Rev. Raymond Thomas Rev. Stephen Wassie may we see the risen Lord in one another.
Rev. Leo Wehlin
May we see the Lord of Life in our food,
Altar Servers our conversation and lives shared in common.
Olivia Christopher Jonathan Feigert May the blessing of God,
Katrina Neff Frank Sobnosky, Jr. His peace and love,
William Thompson rest upon our table.
Lector Universal Prayers (Together, let us pray:)
Carly Koewacich Elizabeth Mintus Bless us, O Lord, and these thy gifts,
which we are about to receive from thy bounty
Gift Bearers
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Chloe Jones Thomas Laveck
David Puzder Therese Rose

Ministers of Music
Mrs. Tina McCue J.F. Kennedy High School Music Ministry Choir DINNER EACH TABLE WILL BE INVITED TO THE BUFFET BY A MEMBER OF FUSILLO
Hannah Sylvester CATERING

MUSIC WILLIAM WAINIO, 2011 EAGLE OF THE CROSS AWARD

11 RECIPIENT

Banquet Program 12
REFLECTION ON THE EAGLE OF THE CROSS
 PATRICE RUTHERFORD & NATHAN STEADMAN Help us to live as new people
in pursuit of the Christian ideal.
Grant us wisdom to know what we must do,
PRESENTATION OF AWARDS MOST REVEREND GEORGE V. MURRY, S.J.
the will to want to do it,
BISHOP OF YOUNGSTOWN
the courage to undertake it,
Eagle of the Cross Recipients each receive a framed Awards Certificate, a corsage the perseverance to continue to do it,
or boutonniere, and a copy of the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults and the strength to complete it.
which we hope will help to continue nurturing faith throughout life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
(New Saint Joseph People's Prayer Book)
A picture will be taken of each recipient as s/he receives the award in the banquet
hall. A copy of the picture will be mailed to each recipient in the weeks following
this ceremony. Family and friends are permitted to take pictures but are asked to All Eagle of the Cross Recipients are asked to remain in the Banquet Hall
avoid interfering with our professional photographer, Mr. Robert Zajack. after the awards for a group photo with Bishop Murry.
Thank you for joining us.
CLOSING PRAYER
Goodnight and safe travels!
Lord, the resurrection of Your Son 13
has given us new life and renewed hope.