September 16, 2015

Ogdensburg - Bishop Terry R. LaValley presented the Bishop Edgar P. Wadhams Award for Distinguished Service on Henry and Huguette Domingos of Potsdam at a luncheon at Bishop LaValley’s residence Sept. 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), Monsignor Lawrence M. Deno (former Superintendent of Catholic Schools), Mrs. Mary Lou Kilian (Editor of the North Country Catholic), Monsignor Robert Giroux (former Vicar General), Dr. Gerald Irwin (former professor at Wadhams Hall and Peritus for the Diocesan Tribunal), 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), Clyde A. Lewis, Sr. (Knight of Malta, formation of Bishop’s Heritage Circle) and Thomas and Claudia Sanders (Pre-Cana directors and hosts in the international student program at Seton Catholic High School).

In bestowing the award on Henry and Huguette, Bishop LaValley noted both the quality and the length of their service to the Church.  Bishop LaValley stated, “Hank and Huguette Domingos have been a wonderful model for married couples.  This faith-filled couple has grown together in love and has reached out to serve their brothers and sisters in the Church.  Hank shared his love of the Scriptures by teaching in the Formation for Ministry Program, by serving as a member of the Formation for Ministry Advisory Board, bringing communion to the sick and homebound, and lectoring at Mass; all with the constant support and encouragement of Huguette. 

Huguette and Hank were instrumental in founding the Serra Club in our diocese to promote and support vocations to the priesthood and religious life, and are outstanding examples of “living stones” who have built up the Church by their good example, piety, generous service and active participation in the life of their parish”.

The Bishop Wadhams’ Award to be presented to Mr. and Mrs. Domingos reads as follows:
In the presence of their pastor, Father Howard J. Venette, representing their fellow parishioners at St. Mary’s Church, Potsdam, New York, it is my honor and pleasure to present the Bishop Edgar P. Wadhams Award for distinguished service, to Henry and Huguette Domingos.

Henry and Huguette Domingos, with love and zeal have graciously and generously served our Diocese and the people of the North Country in many ways, including their active participation in the life and worship of St. Mary’s Parish, service and support to the Formation for Ministry Program of the Diocese, founding members of the Serra Club for the promotion of vocations, and their outstanding example of piety and service of the poor and sick. 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 11th day of September, 2015.

Bishop LaValley presented Henry and Huguette Domingos of Potsdam with the Bishop Edgar P. Wadhams Award for Distinguished Service at his residence Sept. 11.