Archdiocese Recognizes 93 for Service and Leadership in Youth Ministry

The Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart was alive with celebration and gratitude on Dec. 8 as the Archdiocese of Newark honored 93 individuals for their exceptional commitment to youth ministry. The annual awards ceremony, hosted by the Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministry, recognized 65 youth and 24 adults for their dedication to nurturing faith and fostering vibrant parish communities.

Auxiliary Bishop Michael A. Saporito, Regional Bishop for Bergen County, was the principal celebrant of the Mass and presided over the event, which drew families, clergy, and parishioners from across the archdiocese.

Tom Conboy, director of the Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministry, praised the awardees, saying, “These young people and their adult leaders are true witnesses to our faith. They embody the Holy Father’s call to be ‘protagonists of change’ and ‘courageous missionaries’ in their parishes and communities.”

The ceremony featured two major honors. The Discipleship Award, presented to 65 youth from 33 parishes and schools, celebrates young Catholics who exemplify the call to discipleship through service and ministry to their parish or school community. The Adult Light of the World Award recognized 24 adults for their unwavering commitment to guiding and supporting youth ministry efforts in their communities.

Awardees received certificates of recognition from the Archdiocese and pins from the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM). Bishop Saporito personally affixed the pins to each recipient during the ceremony, a touching moment symbolizing the Church’s appreciation for their contributions.

The ceremony also included the presentation of special awards recognizing extraordinary service to the Church and its youth:

• The Saint John Paul II Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministry, was presented to Francesca Leite, coordinator of youth ministry at St. Thomas the Apostle in Bloomfield. Leite was commended for her compassion, humility, and active leadership at both parish and archdiocesan levels, embodying the spirit of the late pope.
• The Monsignor John J. Kiley Award, honoring clergy or religious for exceptional service to youth, was awarded to Bishop Michael Saporito, Father Bogumil Misiuk, campus minister at Seton Hall Preparatory School in West Orange, and Father Richard Supple, pastor at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Tenafly, for their steadfast commitment to fostering vibrant youth programs in their communities.

The awards ceremony and celebratory Mass highlighted the vital role youth and their mentors play in the life of the Church. Bishop Saporito reflected on the importance of their contributions, emphasizing that the Church’s future rests in the hands of young people inspired by faith-filled adults.

The full list of award recipients, representing diverse communities across the archdiocese, underscores the breadth of the Church’s outreach and the profound impact of youth ministry.

As the congregation dispersed from the Cathedral Basilica, the joy and inspiration of the evening lingered—a testament to the strength and vibrancy of the Catholic faith in Newark.

The names of the award recipients are listed below in alphabetical order:

Awards recognizing extraordinary service to the Church and its youth were presented to Francesca Leite, coordinator of youth ministry at St. Thomas the Apostle in Bloomfield, Father Bogumil Misiuk, campus minister at Seton Hall Preparatory School in West Orange, Bishop Michael A. Saporito, Regional Bishop for Bergen County, and Father Richard Supple, pastor at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Tenafly.

Auxiliary Bishop Michael A. Saporito, Regional Bishop for Bergen County, celebrated Mass and presided over the annual Youth Ministry Recognition Awards on Dec. 8 in the Cathedral Basilica hosted by the Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministry.