Arlington, Va.—Father Daniel Lamothe, pastor of Parish of the Holy Spirit and Mary, Queen of Peace Parish in Keene, N.H., has been named a 2012 Distinguished Pastor by the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA).
Father Lamothe will accept the national award during a ceremony at the association's annual convention April 11–13 in Boston, Mass.
Under Father Lamothe's leadership, Parish of the Holy Spirit and St. Joseph Regional School collaborated to create an Adopt-a-Student Fund through which parishioners and St. Joseph alumni can contribute to help families afford a Catholic education for their children.
"My siblings and I went to Catholic school as children, and we knew what a sacrifice it was for our parents," said Father Lamothe. "That has stayed with me through the years, and I press myself and my parish to consider what we can all do to foster Catholic education."
Sister Laura Della Santa, principal of St. Joseph's, cited Father Lamothe's strong leadership in support of Catholic education. "He models faith-oriented decision making," she said. "He is well known and respected by our entire school community."
Father Lamothe 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 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 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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