For most of us it has been a very difficult few months dealing with the social isolation and stressrelated to the COVID-19 crisis. For those of us with children in school, we are experiencing an added challenge, but our teachers have been working exceptionally hard with students and their
parents through Google classroom, Zoom meetings and personal phone calls. Throughout this period, our schools and teachers have been dedicated to giving our students the best education possible through online distance learning.

The commitment of our Catholic school educators in the Diocese has been well known for years. Recognizing the exceptional work of our educators, in 2010 Bishop Cote established the Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, D.D. Award for Contributions to Catholic Education in the Diocese of Norwich. Each year following its inaugural year, this award has been presented to three individuals who have made significant contributions to Catholic education in the Diocese of Norwich. The award ceremony takes place at the Annual Seton Scholarship Dinner.

This year’s honorees are: Andrea D. Hoisl, Director of the Office of Faith Events, Diocese of Norwich, The Very Reverend Dennis M. Perkins, Vicar for the Clergy, Diocese of Norwich, Norwich, and Pastor, Saint Michael Parish, Pawcatuck, and Frederic S. Smith, Teacher, Saint Bernard School, Uncasville.

A former teacher at Xavier and current Director of the Office of Faith Events for the Diocese of Norwich, Andrea D. Hoisl has dedicated more than 30 years to education. “Educating young people about Gods unconditional love and mercy, for the past 34 years, has been an honor and a privilege. I go to work every day feeling blessed to be living out my vocation. There is no one luckier than me,” Ms. Hoisl said.

In addition to being vicar of clergy and pastor of Saint Michael the Archangel Church in Pawcatuck, Father Perkins has been a teacher at St. Michael School for 10 years. “It has been a privilege for me to be a pastor and teacher in a parish where its Catholic school has been such a significant and vital part of the community for over 145 years,” Father Perkins said.

Now in his 53rd year as a teacher and coach at Saint Bernard School, Frederic S. Smith has dedicated much of his life to the school.  He is also a Saint Bernard graduate of the class of 1964. “Though my profession is teaching, an essential part of my experience has been learning from my students and colleagues. This is the true reward of my time at Saint Bernard,” Mr. Smith said.  

All proceeds from the Seton Scholarship Dinner support Catholic elementary school students and are distributed by the Catholic Foundation in the form of tuition assistance grants. We hope many of you will join us in celebrating Andrea D. Hoisl, The Very Reverend Dennis Perkins and Frederic S. Smith.

This year’s Seton Scholarship Dinner will be held on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 4pm. at The Riverhouse at Goodspeed Station in Haddam. Sponsorship opportunities, program book ads and tickets are available for purchase by contacting Gina Foster at ginafoster@norwichdiocese.net or by calling the Office of Development at (860) 886-1928.

Artilce by By Gina Foster