Chicago, IL (May 5, 2010) – Francis Cardinal George, OMI, Archbishop of Chicago, will present the Archdiocesan Catechetical and Youth Ministries Awards to eight area recipients for their outstanding contributions to catechesis and youth ministry in Catholic parishes across Cook and Lake counties. Over one hundred other individuals and teams will be honored by their respective parishes for their contributions to catechetical and youth ministries.   Conducted by the Office for Catechesis and Youth Ministry, this annual Awards Banquet will take place at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 12, at Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace.

The 2010 Archdiocesan awardees are:

• Margaret Bruce, Youth Ministry Coordinator, St. Norbert Parish, Northbrook

• Lissette Castañeda, Catechist and Youth Leader, St. Sylvester Parish, Chicago

• Tina Carter, Catechist, St. Anselm Parish, Chicago

• Ewa and Bogdan Falat , Catechists, St. Camillus Parish, Chicago

• Patricia Kmak, Director of Religious Education, St. Julie Billiart Parish, Tinley Park

• Queen of the Rosary Sixth and Seventh Grade Catechist Team: Rich Kaiser, Chris Nagle, Steve Rogers, Queen of the Rosary Parish, Elk Grove Village

• Diane Kaye, Catechist, St. Alphonsus Parish, Lemont

• Rebecca Ramonez, Youth Ministry Coordinator and Catechist, St. Mary of Celle Parish, Berwyn

For more information about the Catechetical and Youth Ministries Awards Banquet please visit the Office for Catechesis and Youth Ministry’s web site, www.catechesis-chicago.org.