Last weekend, the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark was filled with gratitude and celebration as parishes and schools across the Archdiocese of Newark came together to honor teens and adults who have dedicated their time and talent to support youth ministry.

The annual award ceremony, hosted by the Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministry and held this year on Dec. 3, recognized 74 youth from 37 parish and school youth programs, as well as 22 adults who have shown exceptional commitment to youth ministry. The principal celebrant of the celebratory Mass was Bishop Elias Lorenzo, O.S.B., Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Newark.

The Discipleship Award “is presented to a youth who responds to the call to discipleship through service or ministry to their parish or school community,” according to the Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministry. This year’s awardees include students who have dedicated numerous hours to volunteering for organizations supporting children with special needs, such as the American Special Children’s Pilgrimage Group, Catholic Charities, and other service organizations. Other awardees include those who have devoted extensive hours to mission trips, trail clean-ups, and manual labor, and also those who have deepened their faith through prayer sessions, Mass, Adoration, youth group listening sessions, and participation in the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis last November.

The Adult Light of the World Award “is presented to adults to express appreciation and gratitude to adults who have demonstrated a commitment to young people and youth ministry in their parish or school.” The recipients of this year’s awards include catechists with more than 25 years of service in their parish ministry, Catholic school staff who diligently crafted impactful programs for students and dedicated adults volunteering weekly for multiple years to guide children in sacramental preparation.

The awards are provided by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM), a national organization dedicated to supporting and fortifying individuals who guide young people in their journey of encountering and following Jesus Christ. Recipients of the awards were presented with a certificate of recognition and an emblematic pin from the NFCYM, personally affixed by Bishop Lorenzo to each awardee during the ceremony.

Each parish and school of the Archdiocese was encouraged by the Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministry to nominate up to two teens and one adult for the various awards. Schools and parishes were also encouraged to recognize the nominated youths with special Liturgy of the Word within their communities.

Owen Cumiskey, a recipient of the Discipleship Award from Saint Michael’s Church in Cranford, demonstrates his commitment to his Catholic faith by dedicating his time to individuals with developmental disabilities. During the past summer, Cumiskey served as a volunteer counselor at Camp New Day, a summer camp operated by Catholic Charities that offers respite and vacations for individuals with developmental disabilities through the Camp New Day program. Cumiskey’s volunteer work involved providing comprehensive 24-hour care, including tasks such as cutting food, assisting with showers, and other essential needs for a week.

Cumiskey said his time at Camp New Day was the most rewarding week of his life.

“I was able to care for some of the most vulnerable yet kind-hearted people I’ve ever met,” Cumiskey said. “It was my opportunity to give back to a community who needed it most, and who are often mistreated and misunderstood in society.”

Meaghan Keating, a senior at Immaculate Heart Academy in Washington Township and a member of the youth group at Our Lady of Mercy in Park Ridge, was also honored with the Discipleship Award. She recounted that joining her parish youth group proved to be a transformative experience, deepening her connections to her faith and fostering meaningful friendships with fellow Catholic teens who share similar values. In addition to her involvement in the youth group, Keating actively volunteers her time to support disabled youth.

Keating is involved with the American Special Children’s Pilgrimage Group, where she organizes social gatherings and participates in Mass celebrations alongside disabled youth. Looking ahead to 2024, she plans to join the group’s annual Easter pilgrimage to Lourdes, France, as a teen volunteer. During this journey, she will serve as a “buddy” to a special needs pilgrim.

“They radiate joy regardless of the daily hardships they may face, and it is inspiring,” Keating said about the people she helps. “Spending time with these individuals has taught me to always choose joy and makes me grateful that I have the opportunity to serve others.”

Special awards were granted to adults who have significantly influenced their parish community’s youth ministry.

The St. Joseph the Worker Award, recognizing individuals who selflessly devote their time, talent, and resources to bolster the endeavors of the Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministry and the St. John Paul II Youth Retreat Center, was given to Victor Pianese, Coordinator of CYO Athletics for the Archdiocese of Newark.

Richard Beahm, Youth Minister at The Church of the Assumption in Emerson, received the St. John Paul II Award, an accolade bestowed upon laypersons who embody qualities such as love for youth, patience, gentleness, and humility, reminiscent of the late Holy Father.

The Msgr. Kiley Award, the highest honor for religious men and women in Youth Ministry, was granted to Bishop Lorenzo; Sister Martha Immaculate Odom, C.S.J., from Saint Joseph Parish in East Orange; and Sister Gabriela Ramirez de la Rosa, C.S.J., from Saint Joseph Parish in East Orange. This prestigious recognition is named after Msgr. John J. Kiley, a trailblazer in youth ministry in the Archdiocese of Newark.

Awardees were recognized from various parishes and schools across the archdiocese, showcasing the widespread impact of youth and adult contributions, including recipients from Guardian Angel Church in Allendale, St. Thomas the Apostle in Bloomfield, St. Michael in Cranford, St. Joseph in East Orange, St. Josephs in East Rutherford, St. Mary of the Assumption in Elizabeth, Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary and St. Michael in Elizabeth, Assumption of the BVM in Emerson, Madonna Church in Fort Lee, Our Lady of Mount Virgin in Garfield, St. Catharine’s in Glen Rock, St. Francis of Assisi in Hackensack, Christ the King Church in Hillside, Saint Aloysius in Jersey City, St. Raphael in Livingston, St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Montclair, Our Lady of Peace in New Providence, NJ, St. Casimir Church in Newark, Blessed Sacrament/St. Charles Borromeo in Newark, St. Pius X in Old Tappan, St. Joseph in Oradell, Our Lady of Mercy in Park Ridge, St. Peter the Apostle in River Edge, NJ, Union Catholic High School in Scotch Plains, Immaculate Heart of Mary in Scotch Plains, St. Rose of Lima in Short Hills, Our Lady of Sorrows RC Church in South Orange, NJ, Oratory Preparatory School in Summit, St. Teresa of Avila in Summit, Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Tenafly, Our Lady of the Lake in Verona, St Joseph of the Palisades in West New York, St Joseph of the Palisades in West Orange, Saint Helen in Westfield, St. Andrew in Westwood, and Saint Elizabeth of Hungary in Wyckoff.

This year’s awardees include:

Youth Discipleship Award:

Samantha Anthony

Marissa Barnett

Henry Bolster

Luke Bysiek

Sean Cahill

Owen Cumiskey

Grace Cuttita

Matthew Delgado

Nicholas DeRosa

Keira Dolan

Katrina Duffy

Caitlin Duffy

Megan Falvey

Marcelo Garcia III

Natalie Gasowski

Chris Gonzalez

Daniel Harlley

Daniella Harlley

Cameron Holland

Molly Hurley

Meaghan Keating

Godwin Kounde

Ophelia Kounde

Daniel Kramer

Alai Ladera

Elizabeth Larsen

Jack Lebiedzinski

Anthony Leone

Michael Logozzo

Alexis Malec-Neuberger

Jason Mamaat

Elizabeth Martin

Erin Mazzeo

Megan McGrath

Elias Melgar

Dylan Miller

Alexander Miller

Beatrice Mitchell

Matt Moloney

Matteo Morrissey

Andy Muñoz

Kendal Murphy

Thomas Murray

Sasha Ochoa

Chloe Olesinski

Viktor Oloir

Erin O’Shea

Olivia Padovano

Olivia Palladino

Leonard Park

Gianna Puglisi

William Reiser

Eugene Reyes

Gabrielle Rice

Gabriella Rijo

Emma Rivers

Genesis Rodriguez

Emily Rojas

Clara Rucinski

Thomas Santos

James Santulli

Tristan Sherrit

Emilia Sikorski

Catie Skwirut

Anthony Squiciari

Brendan Sullivan

Jonas Switzer

Alexandra Tama

Alexavier Tolentino

Celia Valenti

Christopher Vides

Zachary Wills

Isabella Winograd

Michał Wyka

Adult Light of the World Award:

Leticia Benavides

Christopher Bazela

Anthony Cavaliere

Deanne Confalone

Jennifer Engelbart

Esther Dutra Ferreira

Samantha Fusi

Judy Glynn

William Gouveia

John Gresco

Karym Hoens

Francesca Leite

Jeanette Mackesy

Mary Frances Malone

Luciana Pistoia

Michael Robertson

Gisella Roman

Judy Rosenberg

Joseph Seebode

Gerri Ann Tuttle

Jeffery Velazquez

Arlene Wisniowski