During the lunch on Wednesday, April 29, the Pontifical Mission Societies presented special awards. Sister Judy Gomila of New Orleans became the second person to ever receive the Founders' Award of the Pontifical Mission Societies; she leaves the mission office in that archdiocese to pursue work with her Religious Community. She will, however, continue as a consultant to the Pontifical Mission Societies, working with the national office on religious education and formation matters, including seminary presentations on mission.
As he concludes his 10-year term as secretary general of the Holy Childhood Association, Father Patrick Byrne received the Founder's Award for the Holy Childhood Association.
Also during lunch, Sister Trinite de la Siopongco presented Monsignor John Kozar with the book, "Apostolic Virtues," a collection of the letters and writings of Blessed Paolo Manna, founder of the Missionary Union; the book, published by Sister Trinite's Religious Community, includes a foreword by Monsignor Kozar.
Father Patrick Byrne, Monsignor John Kozar and Sister Judy Gomila
