4
COMMUNITY
May 23, 2017 | The Valley Catholic
Diocese of San Jose Honors Catechists with 47 th Annual Saint Pius X Awards
By Liz Sullivan
It is an event that is older than the
Diocese of San Jose.
On May 9, the Diocese held the 47 th
Annual Saint Pius X Awards Banquet
at Villa Ragusa restaurant in Camp-
bell. The event began in 1970 when the
parishes in Santa Clara County were
a part of the Archdiocese of San Fran-
cisco. In 1981, the Diocese of San Jose
was created.
The evening honored 85 catechists
for 10-to-50 years of service of religious
education ministry. Overall, the honor-
ees combined for 1,365 years of service
to the Diocese. Three honorees have
served for 50 years: Beth Palladino, Holy
Family; Giulia Gallego, Saint Catherine
of Alexandria and Harvey Chaffin, Saint
Maria Goretti.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for
me to meet so many people,” said Father
John Hurley, CSP, the Diocese’s newly
appointed Vicar for Evangelization and
the evening’s keynote speaker. “I am
grateful and blessed that we continue to
celebrate faith formation in our diocese.
So, why are we here tonight? To evange-
lize the fruits of our labor. Go and make
disciples. Go is the last word we hear at
the end of Mass.”
The event is the collaboration of the
Bishop McGrath awards Giulia Gallego for 50
years of service.
Harvey Chaffin awarded for 50 years of service
joined by his wife Araceli Zarate.
Karen Patel awarded for 35 years of service, with
Father Joe Galang and Bishop McGrath. Jeanne Smith awarded for 40 years of service,
joined by her husband and Bishop McGrath.
Diocese’s departments of Catecheti-
cal Ministry and Hispanic Apostolate,
which now fall under the Office for
E