Every year, DSPT hosts an award ceremony to honor women and men who have distinguished themselves by exemplary service to the Church. Over the years, religious order and lay people alike have been recipients of the Archbishop Joseph Alemany Award for bringing their Catholic faith to bear on the concerns of today. On Saturday, April 18, over two hundred family members and friends gathered at St. Albert’s Priory to show their appreciation for this year’s awardees: Fr. Thomas James Hayes, OP, Fr. Vincent Lopez, OP, and Fr. Martin Walsh, OP.
The celebration began with Holy Mass at the chapel of Saint Albert Priory followed by a reception in the courtyard, and a sit-down dinner and ceremony in the refectory. Introducing each of the honorees were distinguished men in their own right: Mr. John Whalen, President of La Jolla Marine, Inc., Mr John Murphy, President of Murphy Plywood, and Dr. Kevin Starr, History Professor at University of Southern California (USC), and State Librarian Emeritus.
Fr. Vincent, Fr. Martin and Fr. Tom each reflected on what they shared in common: growing up in Vallejo, California. With the highest regard for the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael who taught there, they each took a moment to thank them directly that night. The teachers who influenced the early days of their journey sat in the audience while the men remembered the years they spent at Saint Vincent Ferrer Grammar School.
Fr. Michael Sweeney, OP, President of the School, presented the awardees with their individual citations and thanked all three for their academic, pastoral, and community work and contributions. Fr. Michael reminded the community gathered in the refectory that night of DSPT’s mission as a community of learners engaged in study that is rooted in Catholic tradition and provides answers to contemporary concerns. He extended his invitation to the guests to join DSPT in this mission.
A very special thank you to our volunteers who were instrumental in making this special event happen, especially Marilyn Knight and her friends, student brothers, lay students, parishioners of Holy Rosary in Antioch and Saint Mary Magdalen in Berkeley, and DSPT’s Board of Trustees.
