April 2, 2014

Bishop Terry R. LaValley will bestow the Bishop Edgar P. Wadhams Award for Distinguished Service on Thomas and Claudia Sanders during Mass at St. Joseph’s Church in West Chazy May 11.

The Bishop Wadhams’ Award was instituted by Bishop Paul Loverde, the eleventh Bishop of Ogdensburg, in 1996, to recognize exceptional service to the Diocese of Ogdensburg by people of the North Country. 

Recipients of the Award include Father Richard Siepka (former rector of Wadhams Hall Seminary), Msgr. Lawrence M. Deno (former Superintendent of Catholic Schools),  Mary Lou Kilian (editor of the North Country Catholic), Msgr. Robert Giroux (former Vicar General), Dr. Gerald Irwin (former professor at Wadhams Hall and Peritus for the Diocesan Tribunal), Grey Nun Sister Kathryn Healy (chaplain, St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center), Dr. A. B. DeGrandpre (former Knight of the Holy Sepulcher, friend and benefactor of St. John’s Academy, Mount Assumption Institute and Seton Catholic Central School), and Clyde A. Lewis, Sr. (Knight of Malta, formation of Bishop’s Heritage Circle).

In bestowing the Award on Thomas and Claudia Sanders, Bishop LaValley noted both the quality and the length of their service to the Church.  Bishop LaValley stated, “Thomas and Claudia Sanders have given service to our local church for over four decades, serving as Pre Cana Directors for over 36 years, hosting international students at Seton Catholic, promoting marriage and family life of Clinton County and serving their parish as catechists, lectors, and Eucharistic Ministers.  That is quite a record of service!”

Father J. Roger McGuinness, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in West Chazy, nominated the Sanders for the Award. 
In his nomination, he wrote of Claudia’s volunteer work in Seton Catholic High School cafeteria and her work in the parish Altar Rosary Society, in addition to the other service mentioned above. 

The Bishop Wadhams’ Award to be presented to Mr. and Mrs. Sanders reads as follows:
In the presence of your pastor, Father J. Roger McGuinness, your family, and your fellow parishioners at St. Joseph’s Church, West Chazy, it is my honor and pleasure to present the Bishop Edgar P. Wadhams Award for distinguished service, to Thomas and Claudia Sanders.

Thomas and Claudia Sanders, with love and zeal have graciously and generously served our Diocese and the people of the North Country in many ways, including hosting and directing Pre-Cana Conferences for the Diocesan Family Life Office for thirty-six years, hosting international students for Seton Catholic High School, promoting marriage and family life throughout Clinton County, supporting Catholic education, Christian Formation of our youth, and their home parish as lectors and Eucharistic ministers.

In recognition of their outstanding service to the Diocese of Ogdensburg and the Church, this award is bestowed as a sign of our gratitude and respect.  In witness whereof, I have signed this award and placed upon it the seal of the Diocese of Ogdensburg this 15th day of March, 2014.

Most Reverend Terry R. LaValley,
Bishop of Ogdensburg

NCC FILE PHOTO
Bishop Terry R. LaValley accepts  offertory gifts from Tom and Claudia Sanders of St. Joseph's Church during a 2011 gathering of parish respect life coordinators. The Sanders will be honored for their exceptional service to the diocese as Bishop LaValley presents them with the  Bishop Edgar P. Wadhams Award for Distinguished Service May 11 during a Mass at St. Joseph’s.