Saints Honored at Cathedral

On Sunday, March 11, at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, four members of the Saint Raphael Academy community were honored with Catholic Youth Ministry Awards from the Diocese of Providence. Seniors Eric Martineau and Patrick Coughlin II were presented with the St. Timothy Award, and one faculty member, Sister Regina Brennan, received the Companions on the Journey Award. Junior Ryan Deschene received the Pope Pius XII scouting award.

he St. Timothy Award is the highest national youth ministry award a Catholic youth can receive. It is awarded based on nominations that detail the youth’s integrity, leadership and service. Each organization is allowed to nominate one person for each award.

Eric is a senior at the Academy and resides in Johnston. He volunteers at Darlington Assisted Living, visiting with the elderly, Heritage Park YMCA child care program and serves at the Pawtucket Soup Kitchen. At Saint Raphael Academy, he is a member of Lasallian Youth, student government, is a peer minister on school retreats. He also runs cross country and indoor track and plays volleyball. He is a member of Our Lady of Grace Church.

“Eric steps up and serves while remaining in the background. He never seeks attention or recognition for his service … he just quietly serves. He regularly performs works of mercy to the young, old and most in need through his service,” said Pastoral Services Director Stephen Vargas.

The Companions on the Journey Award is the highest National Federation of Catholic Youth Ministry adult award for excellence in youth ministry. Saint Raphael Academy nominated longtime staff member Sister Regina Brennan. Sr. Regina has been a teacher and guidance counselor at the Academy for 40 years. She entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1960. In her first year at SRA, she helped create and organize ECHO (Encountering Christ in Others), an annual weekend-long retreat for seniors designed for them to experience the need/acknowledgement for Christ in their individual lives and see Christ in the lives of others. In addition, Sr. Regina organizes career explorer programs where alumni come back to campus to discuss their careers with juniors and sophomores.

Along with Eric, SRA senior Patrick Coughlin II received the St. Timothy Award. Patrick, who is from Riverside, was nominated by his parish, St. Brendan, where he is very involved as an usher and eucharistic minister, and also helps at the church’s Bible camp. At Saints, Patrick is a eucharistic minister at school Masses and a peer minister for underclassmen retreats. He also plays on the SRA hockey and football teams.