Pope Leo XIV has bestowed papal honors on 50 members of the Arlington diocese, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge announced last month, in conjunction with the diocesan Golden Jubilee.

Bishop Burbidge will recognize the honorees during vespers liturgy at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington Sept. 28.

Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice

The Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (“For the church and the Pontiff” in Latin) is a decoration of the Holy See. It is conferred for distinguished service to the Catholic Church by lay people and clergy.

The Cross was established by Pope Leo XIII July 17, 1888, to commemorate his golden jubilee as a priest and originally was bestowed on the men and women who had aided and promoted the jubilee, and by other means assisted in making the jubilee and the Vatican Exposition successful. In 1898, it became a permanent papal distinction.

Honorees

Deacon Albert A. Anderson Jr., ordained in 2011 and assigned to St. Joseph Church in Alexandria, is a past chairman of the Arlington Diaconal Council; a member of the Knights of Peter Claver and the Knights of Columbus; a past chairperson of diocesan Black Catholic Ministries; and a recipient of the Bishop Harold R. Perry Service Award. In addition to his parish service, Deacon Anderson is committed to promoting respect for the sanctity of life at all its stages, has presented at several pro-life workshops and presides over a weekly Holy Hour for Life at St. Joseph Church.

Beverly Anderson, a former employee in the diocesan Office of Marriage, Family and Respect Life, has served St. Joseph Church in Alexandria for many years as a catechist, director of religious education, coordinator of high school youth activities, and parish business manager. She is also a founding member of the Mother Mary Lange Ladies Auxiliary Court of the Knights of Peter Claver, a former province director for the National Council of Catholic Women and a past board member of the Washington affiliate of the National Black Catholic Apostolate for Life. 

Jeffrey F. Caruso, a parishioner of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church in Fredericksburg, has served for the past 20 years as executive director of the Virginia Catholic Conference, established to advance the public-policy interests of the commonwealth’s two dioceses — Arlington and Richmond. Before taking up his present position, he spent more than six years as one of three associate directors of the Maryland Catholic Conference.

Mary Rice Hasson is the Kate O’Beirne Senior Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, where she co-founded and directs the Person and Identity Project. She has addressed the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, on topics related to women, education and gender ideology, on behalf of the Holy See. She serves as a consultant to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family, Life and Youth and is a winner of the Christifideles Laici award. She was instrumental in helping develop the Arlington diocesan guidelines on gender identity.

Timothy T. O’Donnell, an educator and author, served as president of Christendom College in Front Royal for more than 30 years and continues to teach at the Front Royal and Rome campuses. Pope John Paul II appointed him a consultant to the former Pontifical Council for the Family in 2002. He has taught at several colleges in the U.S. and received the “Christ the King” award from the Christian Law Institute in 2003. He is the first layman to receive a licentiate and a doctorate in Ascetical and Mystical Theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum).

Katherine Pryor and her husband, Stephen, have been long-time members of the Arlington diocese. She has been a generous benefactor to diocesan Catholic Charities and was on the committee that helped the diocese develop a strategic plan focused on ministry, evangelization, and service. She has served as chair of the board of directors for Trinity House Community, a Catholic family ministry engaged in the renewal of faith and culture through teaching St. John Paul II’s vision for a culture of life.

Stephen Pryor has served on the boards of Catholic International University in Charles Town, W.Va.; the Immokalee Foundation, an educational foundation in Immokalee, Fla.; and Lafayette College in Pennsylvania. He was director of Hope for a Healthier Humanity and has had a leading role in the diocesan “Rooted In Faith ~ Forward in Hope” capital campaign. As a generous supporter of diocesan Catholic education, he has been of great assistance to the Bishop and has assisted with emergency housing efforts through diocesan Catholic Charities’ Christ House and the St. Margaret of Cortona temporary housing programs.

Victor Sellier and his wife, Wendy, are parishioners of St. Catherine of Siena Church in Great Falls. He has served on the Diocesan Finance Council for many years including the Audit and Budget Committee, and has volunteered with diocesan Catholic Charities, particularly providing assistance to emergency housing efforts. He has provided financial and material resources to mothers with crisis pregnancies through the diocesan Office of Marriage, Family and Respect Life. He also has devoted himself to helping teenagers heal from mental health problems through a relationship between Catholics and Youth For Tomorrow, an evangelical Christian organization founded in 1986.

Wendy Sellier and her husband, Victor, have supported diocesan Catholic Charities and the diocesan Office of Marriage, Family and Respect Life, especially in providing help to mothers with crisis pregnancies and in helping teenagers heal from mental health problems through Youth For Tomorrow.

Robert Smith has served for many years on the board of directors for diocesan Catholic Charities and together with his wife, Lauren, has chaired the annual Catholic Charities Ball Committee. He has served on boards for Catholic International University; the Virginia Catholic Conference; Mount St. Mary’s Seminary and Mount St. Mary’s University, both in Emmitsburg, Md.; Marymount University in Arlington; St. Coletta School of Washington; and St. Paul VI Catholic High School, now in Chantilly. He is a member of the Order of Malta, and as an attorney, he continues to provide legal expertise to various diocesan organizations.

Benemerenti Medal

The Benemerenti Medal (“To one who is well-deserving” in Latin) is a medal awarded by the pope to members of the clergy and laity for service to the Catholic Church. Originally established by Pope Pius VI (1775–99) as an award for soldiers in the Papal Army, this medal has been awarded since 1925 as a mark of recognition to persons in service of the Catholic Church, both civil and military, lay and clergy alike.

Honorees

Leopoldo Alonso is an advocate for inclusive learning, living, and employment for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. He helped create the Options program at Paul VI High School in 1998 to provide students with individualized, inclusive, student-centered Catholic education. His work led to inclusive education in 12 elementary/middle schools and all four high schools in the diocese. He co-founded the LIFE program at George Mason University in Fairfax in 2002. He was grand commander of the International Order of Alhambra Porto 104 and is a founding member of Porto Charities Inc., formed to increase educational and employment opportunities through grants and advocacy programs totaling more than $1.2 million.

Laura Bell, along with her husband, Thomas, is a major benefactor to the diocese and her parish, St. John the Beloved in McLean. The couple generously supports Oakcrest School in Vienna, where Laura taught and was dean; the Catholic Information Center in Washington; and the Bow Foundation, dedicated to research and awareness of a rare genetic neurological disorder (GNA01) and to supporting families who have a child with this condition. She is active in her parish, attends daily Mass and is devoted to Eucharistic adoration. She is a significant financial supporter of the parish school and works with the pastor on several evangelization initiatives.

Thomas Bell, along with his wife, Laura, is a major benefactor to the diocese and his parish, St. John the Beloved in McLean. The couple generously supports Oakcrest School in Vienna; the Catholic Information Center in Washington; and the Bow Foundation, dedicated to research and awareness of a rare genetic neurological disorder (GNA01) and to supporting families who have a child with this condition. He assists his pastor with a variety of parish outreach and evangelization initiatives, attends Mass daily and is devoted to Eucharistic adoration. His pastor relies upon his counsel on matters concerning parish life and spirituality.

Arthur Bennett worked for 10 years as executive director of diocesan Catholic Charities. He is a licensed marriage and family counselor and therapist who provided expertise to the diocesan tribunal in marriage nullity cases and has worked closely with Catholic Charities Counseling Services. He is a member of the men’s group and an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at Blessed Sacrament Church in Alexandria. He serves on the Arlington Diocesan Mental Health Committee and has authored several books on the role of personality and temperament from the perspective of Christian anthropology.

Thérèse Bermpohl, a parishioner of St. Veronica Church in Chantilly, has served as executive director of the diocesan Office of Marriage, Family and Respect Life since 2006. She previously worked for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops; taught at Elizabeth Seton High School in Bladensburg, Md.; and worked in campus ministry at The Catholic University of America and George Washington University, both in Washington. She oversees programs aimed at respecting life, counseling and post-abortion healing, marriage prep, and supporting pregnant women. She is on the board of the Given Institute.

Dawn Beutner is an author who has published several books on the lives of the saints. She is a member of the Arlington Diocesan Pastoral Council and leads various groups at Holy Spirit Church in Annandale, that promote life issues, serve the needy, and teach about the Bible and Catholic faith. She works with her parish Right to Life Committee and Project Gabriel, a ministry that supports pregnant women and families, offering assistance with pregnancy, childbirth and parenting. She is also a volunteer regional contact for No Suicide VA.

Kevin Bohli, a parishioner of St. Mary of Sorrows Church in Fairfax, has served as executive director of the diocesan Office of Youth, Young Adult and Campus Ministries since 2001. Over the past 24 years, he has enhanced the diocesan ministry to young people, establishing programs including WorkCamp, the diocesan Youth Rally, BASH (aimed at junior high school youths) and an annual pro-life vigil and rally in conjunction with the national March for Life in January. He also provided catechetical formation for diocesan youth ministers and oversees diocesan scouting programs and sports programs for Catholic youths.

Bertha Braddock is a longtime member and current president of the diocesan Serra Club, which promotes vocations to the priesthood. She has served on boards for several Catholic educational and charitable institutions, both within and beyond the diocese, including diocesan Catholic Charities, Catholic International University in Charles Town, W.Va., and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington. She is a generous contributor to diocesan and parish ministries and is a lector at Blessed Sacrament Church in Alexandria.

Anne Carroll is the founder and executive director of Seton School in Manassas, where she has worked and taught for nearly 50 years, influencing generations of students. She has authored two books on church history and a religion textbook. She received the Saint Thomas More Award for Lifetime Service to the Diocese of Arlington and an honorary doctorate from the Notre Dame Graduate School of Christendom College in Front Royal.

Laura Coleman, a parishioner of St. Andrew the Apostle Church in Clifton, is a principal founder of the Arlington Diocesan Seminarians’ Education Endowment Fund, providing financial assistance for the formation of men preparing for the priesthood. Together with her husband, Robert, she is an active member of the diocesan Serra Club, promoting vocations to the priesthood. In past years, she has served her parish as a member of the finance council and as a catechist in the parish religious education program.

David Conroy Jr. has been principal at All Saints Catholic School in Manassas for the past 29 years. His service to the diocese includes being a member of the Virginia Catholic Education Association board of directors, a member of the Arlington Diocesan Pastoral Council and an officer of the Arlington Principals’ Association. He has worked to increase financial aid to students from low-income families and serves his parish as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion.

Timothy Cotnoir is a parishioner of Good Shepherd Church in Alexandria. Since 2005, he has served as diocesan finance officer, overseeing the financial aspects of new construction projects, land purchases and monitoring the finances of the diocesan chancery offices. He is responsible for financial recording and reporting, investments and budgets. He works with auditors and the diocesan financial council to care for the fiscal health of the diocese and its patrimony, making resources available so the diocese can continue to carry out its mission of evangelization. He is actively involved in his parish community.

Gerard Cousin, a parishioner of Holy Trinity Church in Gainesville, is a member of the Knights of Peter Claver and is chairperson of diocesan Black Catholic Ministries. He was director of Halawa Prison Ministry in the Diocese of Honolulu and co-chairperson of the SEARCH program in the Diocese of Raleigh, N.C. In 2019, he received the Father Augustus Tolton and Mother Mary Lange Award. He coordinates a weekly rosary for an end to racism and serves the diocese and two national committees with the Knights of Peter Claver on the dignity of Black lives and racism.

Sandra Dominick, together with her husband, Samuel, is a parishioner of St. Mary of Sorrows Church in Fairfax. In addition to her involvement in parish ministries, she is a member of the board of trustees of the House of Mercy in Manassas, a thrift store and food pantry serving individuals and families in need. She also serves as a member of the Arlington Diocesan Pastoral Council.

Samuel Dominick, together with his wife, Sandra, is a parishioner of St. Mary of Sorrows Church in Fairfax. He was appointed to the Diocesan Pastoral Council in 2022. At his parish, he was instrumental in initiating a car ministry to provide transportation for those who were in need. He also supported the House of Mercy in Manassas, a thrift store and food pantry for individuals and families in need.

Sister Patricia Helene Earl, I.H.M., an Arlington native, attended Catholic schools in the Washington area and taught religious education at St. Thomas More Cathedral School in Arlington, where she discerned her vocation to the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. She taught in Catholic schools in Pennsylvania and in the Arlington diocese. She was a teacher, a principal and in 1990 became the assistant superintendent of diocesan schools. In 2003, with a doctorate in education, she became director of the Catholic School Leadership Program at Marymount University in Arlington. She authored three books on faith formation. In 2020, the National Catholic Educational Association recognized her with the C. Albert Koob Award.

Louise Fecanin, a parishioner of Holy Spirit Church in Annandale, together with her husband, Peter, has been a generous supporter of diocesan Catholic Charities, her parish and other non-profit organizations. The Fecanins have also generously helped to support need-based scholarships for children in Catholic schools.

Peter Fecanin, a parishioner of Holy Spirit Church in Annandale, together with his wife, Louise, has been a generous supporter of diocesan Catholic Charities, his parish and other non-profit organizations. The Fecanins have also generously helped to support need-based scholarships for children in Catholic schools.

Daisy Finney, a parishioner of the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington, together with her husband, Edwin, has coordinated efforts to bring food and support to diocesan Catholic Charities Christ House in Alexandria for more than 40 years without interruption. Christ House offers meals and transitional housing for homeless men. Over the years, she has volunteered at the cathedral and helped in countless ways. She prays a daily Holy Hour at the cathedral with her husband and has been a tremendous example for other parishioners of faith, perseverance in recent illness, and reliance on the help of the sacraments.

Edwin Finney, a parishioner of the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington, together with his wife, Daisy, has coordinated efforts to bring food and support to Christ House in Alexandria for more than 40 years without interruption. He remains active with the Knights of Columbus Council and is an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. He shows fidelity and devotion in praying a daily Holy Hour at the cathedral with his wife. His joyful spirit reflects the virtue of hope, particularly in this Jubilee Year 2025.

Joseph Guiffre, a parishioner of the Basilica of St. Mary in Alexandria, has served as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and has been a generous supporter of local Catholic schools, including the basilica school and Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria. His financial contributions have helped provide a Catholic education to children with diverse needs.

Marierose Hoang, a parishioner of Holy Martyrs of Vietnam Church in Arlington, is an active member of the Vietnamese Catholic community, especially at Our Lady of La Vang Mission in Chantilly. She supports the mission through major fundraisers and has volunteered at multicultural events including diocesan pilgrimages to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington and the Diocesan Family Festivals. She also works with Commissioned by Christ, which conducts mission trips.

Alan Holmer is a parishioner of St. Luke Church in McLean, where he has served as chairman of the parish pastoral council. He was instrumental in bringing “That Man Is You,” a program for the spiritual development of men, to the parish. He has served as a member of the board of directors of diocesan Catholic Charities and is a member of the board of trustees of Catholic International University.

Moon Kim is a former assistant facilities manager for the Arlington diocese and helped oversee the building of new churches, schools, and other parish and diocesan facilities. As a parishioner of St. Paul Chung Church in Fairfax, he acts as a liaison between the Korean-speaking and English-speaking communities. He continues to be involved with the parish youth ministry and religious education programs and assists the priests of the parish in integrating into the culture of the diocese and the United States.

James McDaniel has been a parishioner of Nativity Catholic Church in Burke for more than 45 years. He was instrumental in initiating the parish outreach to Haiti, known as Project Starfish. He has provided guidance and organizational support for 14 villages in Haiti that Project Starfish has rebuilt, helping to construct schools, health care clinics, community centers, clean water systems, and access to solar energy. He has served his parish as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and in other leadership roles.

Sister Donatella Merulla, A.R., was born in Sicily. She entered the Handmaids of Reparation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at age 20 and made her final profession of vows Nov. 8, 1970. Since 1990, she, together with Sister Mary Attilia Todaro, A.R., has served as co-director of religious education at Nativity Catholic Church in Burke. She provides faith formation to more than 1,500 children and parents and more than 300 catechists each year. She earned a bachelor’s in elementary education from the Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio and a master’s in education from George Mason University in Fairfax.

Thanh Nguyen has been a parishioner of Holy Martyrs of Vietnam Church in Arlington since its establishment as the first Vietnamese Catholic parish in the U.S. in 1979. He is active with the Knights of Columbus, and has taught religious education, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults and marriage preparation. He serves as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, bringing the Eucharist to the homebound. He has served several terms as chairman and member of the parish council and was instrumental in fostering the growth of the parish, together with the diocesan Vietnamese Catholic community.

Toni Papp has been youth ministry director at Holy Family Church in Dale City for more than 25 years. She has served on various diocesan committees and, since 2015, has been a volunteer at the diocesan WorkCamp, a weeklong overnight camp providing diocesan teens with an opportunity to encounter Christ through service, faith and fellowship.

Mary Petrino is a parishioner of the Basilica of St. Mary in Alexandria She is a member of the Order of Malta, the parish Nocturnal Adoration Society, the Catholic Daughters of the Americas and the Serra Club. She volunteered to help beautify the basilica and its school and led the committee to have St. Mary’s Church designated a minor basilica.

Teresa Reyes is a parishioner of St. Charles Church in Arlington. She has worked as the parish director of religious education and is actively involved in parish life and ministry. Over many decades, she has faithfully served the Hispanic community in the parish and throughout the diocese. She also oversees English tutoring at the Borromeo Legal Project, which helps lawful permanent residents become U.S. citizens.

Ronald Riggins, a parishioner of St. Patrick Church in Fredericksburg, has served faithfully for many years in both parish and diocesan roles. On the diocesan level, he was president of the board of directors of diocesan Catholic Charities. As a former parishioner of Nativity Catholic Church in Burke, he was chairman of the parish finance council, coordinator of the parish Order of Christian Initiation of Adults program and an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion.

Daniel Riordan, a parishioner of the Basilica of St. Mary in Alexandria, has served, along with his wife, Mary Beth, as co-chairs of the Arlington Diocesan Jubilee Committee and led the steering committee for four years. He exercised a leadership role in coordinating the diocesan preparatory years and the Jubilee Year. He continues to support diocesan events relating to marriage and family, youths and young adults, Catholic schools and multicultural ministries. He is a regular and generous donor to diocesan Catholic Charities and to the annual Bishop’s Lenten Appeal and diocesan capital campaign.

Mary Beth Riordan, a parishioner of the Basilica of St. Mary in Alexandria, has served, along with her husband, Daniel, as co-chairs of the Arlington Diocesan Jubilee Committee. She is the founder and current president of the Laetare Benefit Group and the Catherine de Ricci Guild, both of which raise funds to support the cloistered Dominican Nuns in Linden. She has been an adviser to the Christendom College board of directors in Front Royal and is a member of the basilica’s finance council. She coordinates a women’s prayer group that prays daily for the basilica’s priests.

Morena Guzman Rodriguez is a parishioner of All Saints Catholic Church in Manassas. Together with her husband, Rolando, she helped initiate the beginning of the St. Gabriel Mission of All Saints, primarily serving Hispanic Catholics in the Manassas Park area. She assisted with transporting and setting up the items needed for Mass each Sunday and Holy Day in a rental space at the Manassas Park Community Center gymnasium. Thanks to her efforts, many Hispanics had the opportunity to attend Mass. She has volunteered in the parish in a spirit of faith and joy and led others to become more involved.

Rolando Rodriguez is a parishioner of All Saints Catholic Church in Manassas. Together with his wife, Morena, he helped initiate the beginning of the St. Gabriel Mission of All Saints, primarily serving Hispanic Catholics in the Manassas Park area. He assisted with transporting and setting up the items needed for Mass each Sunday and Holy Day in a rental space at the Manassas Park Community Center gymnasium. Thanks to his efforts, many Hispanics had the opportunity to attend Mass. He has volunteered in the parish in a spirit of faith and joy and led others to become more involved.

Joel Sandoval, a parishioner of St. Stephen the Martyr Church in Middleburg, is a father of six who has been instrumental in beginning and continuing the Spanish-language Mass at the parish for more than 10 years. He helped organize the ushers from the Hispanic community and began the parish Emaús men’s group. The group meets weekly and holds retreats for Spanish-speaking Catholics twice a year. He is the representative of Emaús for the Arlington diocese.

Robert Tessier is the longest-serving director of youth ministry in the Arlington diocese. He served for four years at St. Mark Church in Vienna and has been the youth minister at All Saints Catholic Church in Manassas for more than 23 years. He also teaches religion at All Saints Catholic School. He created a tradition of drama ministry in the diocese and coordinates summer camps for young people to learn various skills, including drama and farming.

Julie Theobald is a parishioner of St. James Church in Falls Church. She has been a leading volunteer for the diocesan Catholic Charities Ball for 20 years. She serves as treasurer of the diocesan Catholic Charities board of directors and is a generous benefactor to the Arlington diocese.

Sister Mary Attilia Todaro, A.R., was born in Sicily and entered the Handmaids of Reparation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at age 14. She made her final profession of vows Feb. 3, 1960. Since 1990, she, together with Sister Donatella Merulla, A.R., has served as co-director of religious education at Nativity Catholic Church in Burke. She provides faith formation to more than 1,500 children and parents and more than 300 catechists each year. Since coming to the U.S., she earned a bachelor’s in elementary education from the Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio and a master’s in education from George Mason University in Fairfax.

Kathleen Wilson is a parishioner of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church in Fredericksburg. In 2006, she founded and continues to serve as the executive director of Mary’s Shelter, a pro-life women’s shelter in Fredericksburg that serves at-risk mothers and children, providing prenatal and post-natal care. Mary’s Shelter has given no-cost temporary housing to more than 400 women and their children. She continues to be highly involved in pro-life ministry within the Arlington diocese.