Youth Distinction Website, Materials Ready For 2016
Steve Dabrowski, Diocesan Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, has announced that the website for the St. Maria Goretti Youth Distinction has been updated for 2016 and is now live.
Application materials for 2016 are available now at http://www.evdio.org/maria-goretti.html.
The St. Saint Maria Goretti Youth Distinction recognizes adolescents for their outstanding contribution to the life, mission, and ministry provided to their family, parish, school, and community. The distinction is celebrated as a local parish community at the celebration of a youth Mass.
A High School student who actively lives out his/her Catholic faith is eligible to receive this distinction. It is recommended that a parish honor juniors or seniors in High School; however, grade or age should not be the sole criterion selecting those to be honored.
St. Maria Goretti is an Italian Saint whose power of forgiveness and purity is a model for all young people. Maria Goretti refused the advances of a neighbor boy on several occasions. After refusing him a fourth time, and in a fit of rage, the boy, Alessandro, stabbed her 14 times in the neck and chest.
The neighbors contacted the Red Cross and transported Maria to the a hospital 14 miles away. Maria lived for 24 hours after she was stabbed. Before she died, she forgave Alessandro and asked her mother to forgive him as well. After that, she received communion and then died.
St. Maria Goretti is a superior example of mercy and that forgiveness is greater then “an eye for an eye.”
The 2016 Mass and conferral ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. Central Time (2 p.m. Eastern Time) on Sunday March 6, 2016, at St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville. There is no restriction on the number of family members who may attend the Mass and conferral ceremony for 2016. No reception will follow the Mass and conferral ceremony.
Parishes may nominate up to two (2) Goretti recipients. No exceptions will be made.
The administration/application fee remains $35 – the same as 2015 and $10 less than in 2014. The application deadline is Friday, Feb. 5, 2016.
Bishop Charles C. Thompson will be available for pictures with honorees immediately following the Mass and conferral ceremony.
Visit the website listed above for more information and to download application materials.
