Order of St. Louis IX Award bestowed on 216

Two hundred sixteen laypersons who have devoted themselves to the work of the Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of New Orleans were awarded the Order of St. Louis IX Medallion in ceremonies March 23.

Archbishop Gregory Aymond presented the awards at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Metairie. The ceremony included a prayer service and presentation of the medals. 

A video of the presentation is available on St. Catherine of Siena's YouTube channel at youtube.com/live/lI3Rg-T6BVc.

The Order of St. Louis IX award was established in 1975 to honor those laypersons who have contributed their time and talents to the church. In the past 50 years, more than 10,000 men and women have received the medallion as a token of thanks for their Christ-like service to the church.

This year’s recipients of the Order of St. Louis IX were:

New Orleans: Dwayne Alexander, Gilberto "Bert" Anfone, Syncere Barbarin, Frederick Bell, Karen and Robert Bordes, Helen Branley, Annette and Harold Broussard, Michael Buras, Candace Butler, Flávio Ferreria and Melriany Cândido, Norma Cheramie, Peter Benjamine Kahnh Chung, Brenda Connolly, Katie and Howell Crosby, Gilbert D’Aquin, Penny Duet and Octave J. Francis III,

Daniel Friel, Kenitha Grooms-Williams, Lyn Hallaron, Francis M. Isidore, Merilien Laguerre, Wanda Martin, Lucille McCormick, Sharon Miller, Mary Miller, Michael Minix, José de la Cruz Gutierrez Morel, Thomas Morris, Martha Mundine, David Michael Munson, Linda Xuan Nhung Nguyen, Joseph Thang Van Nguyen, Ellen O’Reilly, Gerald Pannell, Calvin Preyan, Joanne and Raymond Ranger,

Michelle Reinecke, Jo Ann Relf-Davis, Trey Reymond, Glenn M. Ricard, Darlene Rodriguez, King Tan Rowe, Louis Schott, Michael J. Shanklin, Kathleen Theodore, José Torres, Theresa and Ryan Truxillo, Miriam Guadalupe Hernandez and Rafael Vargas, Ann von Almen.

 Other cities

Abita Springs: Christine Brignac, MaryAnn and David Marquardt. 

Algiers: Connie and Don DiCarlo, Carmelite Goodreaux, Katherine and Nicholas Marchese, Audrey Richoux, Shelley Thomas, Bé Thi Nguyen and Vu Thành Võ.

Ama: Heather Keller.

Avondale: Nguyen Thi Kim Vân and Đinh Viet Nhân.  

Belle Chasse: Marie Amedee, Betty Farwell.

Bogalusa: Anne Tate.

Braithwaite: Sylvester Ann Lucia. 

Chalmette: Susan Happel, Maria de la Luz and Meliton Noyola.

Covington: Wayne Adams, Paul Erny, Mary and Clint Goss, Mary Ellen Guillory, Mary Ann Smith, Matthew Voelkel.

Destrehan: Melanie and Michael Hebert, Mary Schmidt.

Edgard: Sharey Caire Powell.

Folsom: Linda Bard.

Franklinton: Jan and Rene LaBorde.

Gretna: Katherine and Charles Billings, Angela and Andrew Hendrickson, Wanda and Ray Markase, Linda Strohmeyer.

Hahnville: Sarah and Willie Verret III.

Harahan: Elaine and Irvin  “Sandy” Dares, Eddie Rafidi.

Harvey: Ruth Hoth, Cynthia Ann Robichaux (posthumously), Mary Romano.

Jefferson: Pamela and Joseph Fritz, Sabrina G. Haynes.

Kenner: Karen Clampitt, Richard Gonzalez, Kathleen Laborde, Mary Ann Miorana, Idalia and Tony Nunez.

Lacombe: Erin Gousman, Jane and Ken Roberts.

Lafitte: Annette L. and Jay Joseph Casso.

LaPlace: Mitchel Elfer, Maria and Steven Fontenot, Roxanne Keller.

Luling: Chris Bruce, Shirley Dufrene, Jennifer and Logan Lirette.

Madisonville: Ran and Matthew Rhodes, Rebecca and Claude Vercher.

Mandeville: Claire and Wiley Conn, Tony Garner, Nicole and Brad Johnson, Ysonde and Benjamin Strecker.

Marrero: Pham Vu Thuy Tien and Dinh Quoc Dung, Andreya and Donovan Durfee, Gisele Gousisha, Joan Rooney, Nina Lita Ascension P. Tapia, Shane Trosclair, Carmelitte Venturella.

Metairie: Lori and Phil Borne, Deborah and Joseph Comeaux, Darlene Descant, Regina and Mark Fleming, Debbie and Paul Galloway, Erin Gass, Susan Hocke, Carol and Thomas Masilla, Mary Ann Mataconis, Bonnie Ott, Taryn Perrault, Dale Pritchett, Kristy and Ryan Quick, Paige Rahn, Bernie Regel, Cecilia Ulfers, Myrle Van, Sylvia Versowsky, Janice “Candie” Viola, Perryn and Paul Waelde, Michael Wibel Jr.

Norco: Bonnie Bourg, Chris Morales.

Paradis: Gaynell and Kent Landeche.

Pearl River: Elizabeth and Richard Brent.

Pointe a la Hache: Encalade Chadwick.

Port Sulphur: Carlton LaFrance.

Reserve: Todd Keller, Angela W. Robertson.

River Ridge: Mary and Michael Danton, Leo LeBourgeois.

Slidell: Amy Enright, Melanie and Wade Estopinal, Damien P. Gauthier, 

Julie and Gregg Paretti, Kenta and Shawn Paretti, Denise and Chuck Smith, Melanie and Josh St. Cyr, Elaine Yuratich.

St. Bernard: Wayne King.

Terrytown: Lori Baldassaro, John Carpenter, Alba and Rigoberto Rendon.

Violet: Tommie Dunn, Travis Dunn, Terri Dunn.

Waggaman: Elizabeth Lee Carmona.

Westwego: Leonor and Ricardo Salas.