Father Ralph Caputo Honored for Outstanding Support of Catholic Education

Arlington, Va.—Father Ralph Caputo, pastor of St. Bernard Parish in Brooklyn, N.Y., has been named a 2012 Distinguished Pastor by the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA).

Father Caputo will accept the national award during a ceremony at the association's annual convention April 11–13 in Boston, Mass.

Through Catholic education, young people benefit from a great education as well as a Catholic identity that will influence them throughout their lives, Father Caputo said. "I've been very blessed as a priest because every parish I've been assigned to has had a school," he said.

Father Caputo said his school's motto, "We teach with love," is appropriate because "if you don't teach with love, you should get out of the business. Kids know when you love them and you care about them, and that's when the real teaching takes place."

St. Bernard Principal Kathleen Buscemi called Father Caputo the perfect pastor for a school. "His support of Catholic schools in general and this school in particular is unwavering," she said. "He's always available. There isn't anything I ask him for the benefit of the children that he says no to."

Father Caputo is one of 9 pastors nationwide who have been chosen to receive NCEA's Distinguished Pastor Award this year. The following will also be honored:

• Father Daniel Gartland, Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception and St. Lawrence Church, Lafayette, Ind.
• Father Joseph Gatto, St. Gregory the Great Parish, Williamsville, N.Y.
• Father Dominic Grassi, St. Gertrude Parish, Chicago, Ill.
• Msgr. Joseph Hendricks, St. Brigid of Kildare Parish, Dublin, Ohio
• Msgr. Michael Heras, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Corpus Christi, Texas
• Father Daniel Lamothe, Parish of the Holy Spirit and Mary, Queen of Peace Parish, Keene, N.H.
• Father Thomas Molini, St. Gerard Majella Parish, Kirkwood, Mo.
• Father Ric Schneider, St. Mary's Parish, Bloomington, Ill.

"Pastors provide support that is vital to maintaining excellent Catholic schools, both through their spiritual leadership and their efforts to work closely with the school community," said Christian Brother Robert Bimonte, executive director of the NCEA Department of Elementary Schools. "In honoring these individuals, we acknowledge the many pastors across the country who give so much to assure outstanding Catholic education in their communities."

About the Convention
NCEA's annual convention—which draws educators, administrators, catechists, pastors and parents from throughout the nation—will offer informative sessions, liturgies and networking opportunities. The event at the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center will also feature an exhibition of educational products and services from more than 300 companies.

Keynote speakers will include Father Ron Rolheiser, president of the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas, and Dr. Mary McDonald, superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Memphis, Tenn. Father J. Bryan Hehir, Harvard University professor and secretary of health and social services for the Archdiocese of Boston, will deliver the convention's closing address.

The convocation of the National Association of Parish Catechetical Directors and the annual meeting of the Catholic Library Association will take place concurrently with the NCEA convention.

NCEA, founded in 1904, is a professional membership organization that provides leadership, direction and service to fulfill the evangelizing, catechizing and teaching mission of the church. NCEA's members include elementary schools, high schools, parish religious education programs and seminaries.

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