Catholic schools honor outstanding employees

Intermountain Catholic

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Bishop John C. Wester (left) applauds Msgr. Colin Bircumshaw, who was presented with the Christ the Teacher award by the Catholic Schools of Salt Lake.

DRAPER — Outstanding educators and support staff and more than 75 employees who have worked for diocesan schools for five years or more were honored March 12.

The Catholic Schools’ Employee In-service Day began with a Mass concelebrated by the Most Rev. John C. Wester, bishop of Salt Lake; Msgr. Terence Moore, pastor of Saint John the Baptist Parish, where the event was held; Msgr. Colin Bircumshaw, pastor of Saint Ann Parish; and Msgr. Rudolph Daz, pastor of Saint Olaf Parish. Each of the parishes includes at least one school.

Msgr. Bircumshaw also was presented with the Christ the Teacher award in recognition of his exceptional administrative skills and his support of school administrators. He has served as pastor of three parishes with schools: Notre Dame in Price, St. Joseph in Ogden and St. Ann in Salt Lake City. At St. Ann Parish, he often announces from the pulpit that Kearns-Saint Ann School is an integral part of the parish, as well as an important ministry, according to Principal Kathleen McMahon.

Msgr. Bircumshaw "richly deserved" the award, Bishop Wester said, adding that he teaches as Christ did.

In his homily, Bishop Wester said he has profound respect and admiration for the teachers, administrators and support staff at the schools, who have a very important place in students’ lives. "Christ will use you to communicate his love and his compassion and his hope for our children," he said.

Teachers, he said, are able "to elicit from our students this desire to be one with God" and have to give them an example that will make them want to do the things in life that will truly fulfill them as human beings.

During the ceremony, 30 school employees were recognized with 5-year service awards and another 30 were recognized with 10-year service awards. Five people were presented with 15-year service awards, there were eight who have been with the schools for 20 years and five for 25 years. James Markosian of St. John the Baptist Middle School, Cathy Moore of St. Olaf School, Dr. Galey Colosimo of Juan Diego Catholic High School and Rae Ann Eck of Judge Memorial Catholic High School were presented with 30-year service awards.

In addition, each school recognized its outstanding educators and/or support staff.