Arlington, Va.—Father Joseph Gatto, pastor of St. Gregory the Great Parish in Williamsville, N.Y., has been named a 2012 Distinguished Pastor by the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA).
Father Gatto will accept the national award during a ceremony at the association's annual convention April 11–13 in Boston, Mass.
Catholic education "illuminates our way in this world so we may follow where the Lord leads," Father Gatto said. "It is the whole student who is loved, formed and educated, not just by one teacher or one school, but by the entire faith community living out the mandate of the Gospel through the ages."
As St. Gregory pastor since 2006, Father Gatto has been a strong supporter of the parish school, according to Principal Patricia Freund. Under his leadership, the school has installed solar panels to save on electricity and free up funds to establish a preschool program, expanded the music program and hired staff to instruct students with special learning needs. He also established a scholarship endowment that collected more than $50,000 in the first year and created jobs and internships in the parish to keep youth involved.
Father Gatto 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 Ralph Caputo, St. Bernard Parish, Brooklyn, N.Y.
- Father Daniel Gartland, Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception and St. Lawrence Church, Lafayette, Ind.
- 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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