WelCom May 2019:
At a ceremony at Ss Peter and Pauls Church, Lower Hutt (Te Awakairangi Parish) Cardinal John Dew conferred Benemerenti medals on (l-r) Dennis Cheetham, Kathy Brabin and Jo Dowsett.
The people of the Hutt Valley have been well served by the St Vincent de Paul Society for many years. Naturally this has meant parishioners giving generously of their time and talents to serve others as Christ asks of his friends.
Pope Francis has recognised the service of Kathy Brabin, Dennis Cheetham and Jo Dowsett of Te Awakairangi Parish. On Sunday 31 March 2019, they were each presented with the Benemerenti Award. This papal award is in recognition of long and exceptional service to the Church. Each has served the Church through the St Vincent de Paul Society for over 40 years as well as in other parish capacities. Cardinal John Dew came to Lower Hutt to present the awards at the 9am Mass, which he concelebrated with Fr Patrick Bridgeman and Fr Cirilo Barlis at Ss Peter and Paul Church. A morning tea was enjoyed afterwards.