To mark theSolemnity of Our Lady of Sorrows, on Sept. 15, and to honor the patroness of the Congregation of Holy Cross, Rev. Thomas O’Hara, C.S.C., provincial superior of the United States Province of Priests and Brothers, has named nine recipients for the 2013 Spirit of Holy Cross Award.
The award is given annually in glorification of the Virgin Mother to lay collaborators who faithfully serve the Province in the United States and abroad. Mary, our mother, loved, served and sacrificed her Son for all people so that the Church could be born. The Spirit of Holy Cross Award recognizes lay collaborators who devotedly work to make Blessed Basil Moreau‘svision and mission to “make God known, loved, and served” a reality at the Congregation’s education, parish and mission apostolates.
In Blessed Moreau’s Circular Letters, he said “I ask you to do everything in your power to expand the work of Holy Cross, to spread it by every means that heaven puts within your reach.”
In making the announcement, Fr. O’Hara said he is thankful for the work of all the Province’s lay partners who work alongside Holy Cross religious every day advancing the Congregation’s mission throughout the world. “On our Congregation’s Feast Day, we pause to thank our lay collaborators who are living witnesses to the word of Jesus Christ and the embodiment of Our Lady’s love for all of us,” Fr. O’Hara said. “This year’s Spirit of Holy Cross awardees not only support our mission, but more importantly, they have joined us in our mission using their God given talents in their own vocations.”
The 2013 recipients are:
- Donna Lamberti, controller, Provincial Office (Notre Dame, Ind.)
- Mary Pat Russ, physical therapist, Holy Cross House (Notre Dame)
- Marty Ogren, associate director of warehouse, delivery and transportation, University of Notre Dame
- Al and Sue Corrado, Board of Regents (former chairman), alumnus and benefactors, University of Portland (Ore.)
- Kathy Barber, coordinator of Campus Activities and Commuter Life, King’s College (Wilkes-Barre, Pa.)
- Craig Binney, associate vice president for finance and operations, Stonehill College (Easton, Mass.)
- Dennis Roverato, retired office manager and supervisor, Family Theater Productions (Hollywood, Calif.)
- Fernando Torres Herrera, lay administrator, District of Chile (Santiago, Chile)
Honorees’ biographical information:
- Donna Lamberti has been the controller the Province for 12 years, but has been working with Holy Cross for more than 20 years. She first served as a consultant and auditor under the Provincial Administrations of Rev. Carl Ebey, C.S.C., and Rev. Bill Dorwart, C.S.C., before answering her call to further the mission of Holy Cross by becoming the Province’s controller in 2001. In that capacity, she assists the Province with the day-to-day management of its financial operations. “I have worked closely with Donna for 14 years and she is without a doubt one of Holy Cross’ great lay collaborators of all time,” said Rev. E. William Beauchamp, C.S.C., president of the University of Portland. “Donna has a steady hand, financial savvy, a sharp pencil and a ready, reassuring smile. She has made it possible for the United States Province to fulfill its mission and to do its good works without interruption. In fact, because of Donna, we have been able to expand our reach and bring hope to untold numbers of people. Holy Cross has no truer or more faithful friend than her.” She and her husband, Gary (chair and professor of Notre Dame’s Department of Biological Sciences), and children Matthew (17) and Sara (12), are members of Christ the King Catholic Church in South Bend. Both of her children attended the parish school as well. Donna is a member of the St. Joseph High School Board and serves on the Christian Brothers Board of Trustees.
- Mary Pat Russ has worked at Holy Cross House (the medical facility for retired Holy Cross religious) for 17 years, where “she has treated many members of the Province and is regarded by several as a worker of miracles,” said Rev. James T. Connelly, C.S.C., religious superior at HCH, noting her dedicated work with a priest stroke patient that resulted in him walking on his own again. Mary Pat is attentive to the needs of ailing and aging residents. “Her expertise in her field of physical therapy, her care and concern to each patient in her care is absolutely outstanding,” said Rev. Bill Neidhart, C.S.C., who also nominated her. “There is no question that she adds an element of personal dedication to her work with her patients. I feel her strong Catholic faith and family ties blend extremely well with her dedication to her work here.” Mary Pat first began working as a physical therapist with the Visiting Nurses Association in 1996, helping priests, brothers and sisters of Holy Cross. She was hired as a physical therapist at Holy Cross House in 2001. She received the Rev. Joseph C. Stroot, C.S.C., Memorial Award for Distinguished Service from the Notre Dame College Prep Alumni Association in 2012. Mary Pat’s husband, Jim, is a physical therapist for the Notre Dame Athletic Department and has helped to obtain equipment donations for Holy Cross House. The couple has been married for 36 years and has four children and one grandchild. Her children also attended Christ the King school, St. Joseph High School and the University of Notre Dame.
- Marty Ogren has been a chauffeur at Notre Dame for 38 years and began his service to the University as driver for Rev. Theodore Hesburgh, C.S.C., president emeritus of Notre Dame. He also serves as associate director of warehouse, delivery and transportation, where he is responsible for the University’s entire fleets of vehicles, from buses to golf carts. “While he has been in the company of presidents, prime ministers, cardinals and other notables, he excels at handling personal requests and is always ready to help out C.S.C.s, as he does a whole range of people whether faculty, staff, students or visitors to campus. ” according to Rev. James King, C.S.C., religious superior at ND. “He is one of the best-known and respected people at Notre Dame because he epitomizes the Christian ideal of service to everyone regardless of rank or station.” Marty and his wife, Pam, have been married for 17 years and have three children and four grandchildren. Marty attended St. Hedwig’s school, St. Joseph High School and Holy Cross College.
- Al and Sue Corrado are generous benefactors of Holy Cross’ University of Portland and have given more than $10 million to the University. “Even before he arrived on the University of Portland campus 62 years ago, Al Corrado exhibited many of the virtues that characterize the Congregation of Holy Cross,” said Rev. Jeffrey Allison, C.S.C., religious superior at UP. “Later, after he had graduated, married, started a family and founded an investment management company, he and his wife, Sue, lived a life together that is infused with the spirit of Holy Cross.” Al joined Portland’s Board of Regents in 1991 and has served ever since, including six years as its chairman. “During that time, Al and Sue have been among the University’s greatest lay collaborators and have provided scholarships for needy students, supported countless University projects (often quietly and without attention) and gave major funding for the construction of a residence hall named in their honor,” Fr. Allison said. “But their zeal and enthusiasm, their warmth and compassion, their generosity of spirit and natural sense of hospitality, especially to the most needy, has not been limited to the University.” The Corrados are also supporters of St. John Fisher Parish, Central Catholic High School, the Archdiocese of Portland and countless other organizations and institutions in the area. In 2001, their generosity and care for the University was recognized with an honorary doctorate for Al; and in 2003, Al and Sue together were honored for their lifetime of philanthropy in the city of Portland and the state of Oregon. The couple have done this all while raising a family of seven children, 18 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
- Kathy Barber has served at Holy Cross’ King’s College for 31 years, working in the Campus Activities and Commuter Life Office. She embodies and relates the Holy Cross charism to students, according to Rev. Richard Hockman, C.S.C., superior of the King’s Community. “She is supportive of the members of the Congregation of Holy Cross at King’s College,” he said. “Kathy is a behind-the-scenes person; she is always present, yet prefers to be in the background, encouraging, affirming and challenging our students.” Kathy has worked as coordinator of campus activities and commuter life for the past 23 years. She’s received King’s All-College Award, as well as a 30 and 20-year employee service award.
- Craig Binney is cognizant and supportive of Holy Cross’ role in the founding, development and continuing operation of Stonehill College, according to Rev. Robert Kruse, C.S.C., who nominated him. “Craig has been a wonderful colleague and collaborator with many Holy Cross religious in administration and on faculty. He is a friend to many in the local community,” Fr. Kruse said. “He never fails to place community needs above his own.” Craig has been employed at Stonehill since 1985, when he started as assistant director of academic computing and assistant professor of computer science. He rose to director of administrative computing in 1988 and continued as an assistant professor until 2000. He was named assistant vice president for finance in 1997, associate vice president for finance in 1999 and then to his current post, associate vice president for finance and operations, in 2011. A graduate of Stonehill, Craig is a parishioner at Holy Cross Parish in South Easton, Mass., where he is also a member of the finance commission. Craig and his wife, Ann, have been married for 27 years and have five children. Fr. Kruse said Craig “provides a convincing model of Christian family life. In his daily life, he consistently manifests his deep commitment to God, his family and the Stonehill community.” Craig also is involved in local charities and last year rode 100 miles to raise money in the Rodman Ride for Kids. He received Stonehill’s Gaudete Medal in 2005.
- Dennis Roverato is a native of Ironwood, Mich., who went to Hollywood in the 1960s to pursue an acting career. In 1973, he took a temporary position with Family Theater and remained there for 34 years until his retirement in 2007. “Few people were more dedicated to Servant of God Patrick Peyton, C.S.C., and his Family Rosary and Family Theater ministry than Dennis Roverato,” said Rev. Willy Raymond, C.S.C., national director of Family Theater. Dennis began as a production assistant and served as Fr. Peyton’s personal assistant, chauffer and confidant. “Over the years, he was entrusted with increasing responsibility by Fr. Peyton,” Fr. Raymond said, noting Dennis was involved in all media efforts and managed Family Theater’s staff, volunteers and day-to-day operations. He lent stability to the organization, particularly after the death of Fr. Peyton and between 1994 and 2000, when Family Theater had five different Holy Cross national directors. “Dennis Roverato is a daily communicant who loves the Rosary and fully supported the mission of Family Rosary and Family Theater Productions during his employment with Family Theater,” Fr. Raymond said. “It’s hard to imagine how Family Theater could have survived the years of Fr. Peyton’s declining health and death and the frequent changes in personnel without the stable presence and guidance of Dennis Roverato, his faithful support for Fr. Peyton’s vision and works.” Dennis now cares for his mother, who is 96.
- Fernando Torres Herrera has been the District administrator for Holy Cross in Chile since 2005, but his association with Holy Cross and its mission dates many years before. He has been a parent at Saint George’s College for almost 30 years. The school in Santiago, Chile, educates children from kindergarten through grade 12 in the Holy Cross tradition. Fernando’s son and three daughters attended Saint George’s and his youngest daughter is graduating in December. During that time, he has been involved in many activities at the school, including Pastoral Familiar, which is campus ministry for families. He and his wife, Paola, coordinate and lead the Confirmation program offered for parents at Saint George’s. Fernando has served as legal representative for Colegio Nuestra Senora de Andacollo since 2009, helping to rebuild the administrative team. For eight years, Fernando has coordinated the Encuentro de Colaboradores, a districtwide committee of lay and religious who plan the annual day of formation in the spirituality of Holy Cross and its role in Chile. Fernando also has served on the board of Fundamor, a ministry for at-risk children. “During the years of service with the Congregation, he has been a very welcoming presence to all the religious and to others with whom we collaborate, often being the initial or primary contact dealing with questions or solving problems,” said Rev. Michael M. DeLaney, C.S.C., district superior in Chile. “We are grateful for his commitment, and know as well, that his work with the Congregation in Chile and others in our apostolates has been to enhance and make the mission of Holy Cross lived out in the best possible way.” Fernando also works with The Catholic University of Chile’s small business assistance program and he also serves as an international advisor for business administration at KPMG, an international financial company.
Honorees will be recognized in their local communities by the Holy Cross ministry for which they work during the month of January as part of the celebrations of Blessed Moreau’s life (Father Moreau died on January 20, 1873 in Le Mans, France). At that time, they will receive a proclamation of gratitude signed by Provincial Superior Fr. Tom O’Hara on behalf of the entire U.S. Province.
