St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award
The St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award established in 1977, is the highest and most prestigious award granted by the Catholic Schools Office, recognizing exceptional commitment and personal involvement in advancing the cause of Catholic education in the Diocese of Worcester.
Recipients
2017 Jeffery & Karen Pelletier
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Jeffrey and Karen Pelletier are both graduates of St. Bernard’s High School, where they met. Subsequently, Karen earned a BS in Business Administration from Boston College and Jeff a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Lowell. Karen worked as a Computer Programmer/Systems Analyst for several years and retired in 2000 to care for their three daughters. Jeff worked for V. Pelletier & Sons, a construction company, for many years, becoming president of the company in 1991. He retired in 2010 and now works as an Independent Construction Consultant.
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He and Karen were members of St. Joseph’s Church in Fitchburg after they were married, where Jeff had been a lifelong parishioner, but then joined St. Edward the Confessor Church in Westminster when they moved there. All three of their daughters, Taylor, Shelby, and Rachel, followed in their parents’ footsteps, graduating from St. Bernard’s High School. During their children’s time in school, Jeff and Karen were both involved in numerous school boards, fundraisers, and committees, showing admirable commitment to the cause of education.
They are both involved in other charities, as well. Karen has participated in various charitable road races and walks, and Jeff has done mission work in an impoverished area of Costa Rica. “Deeds, not words” is a phrase they have taken to heart, especially in the areas of Catholic Education, where they have worked tirelessly to ensure that students use the knowledge they gain in a positive way, with the guide of a strong moral compass.
2016 Reverend Monsignor John Doran
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Msgr. Doran attended Catholic schools in Worcester, beginning with Sacred Heart grammar school, St. John's High School and graduated cum laude in 1962 from the College of the Holy Cross with a BA in History. He entered the seminary in October 1962 and pursued theological studies and formation at American College of the University of Louvain, Belgium. He received a Bachelor of Sacred Theology and a Masters in Religious Education. Msgr. Doran was ordained a priest for the Worcester Diocese by Bishop Bernard J. Flanagan at St. Roch Parish in Oxford, Massachusetts on June 18, 1966.
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His first parish assignment was as an associate pastor at St. Paul Cathedral in Worcester from 1966 to 1969. in 1969, he was appointed regional director of North Worcester County for Catholic Charities and served in that capacity until 1983. In 1978, he received a Masters Degree in Human Services Management from the Heller School at Brandeis University.
in 1983, he was appointed pastor of St. Mary Parish in Uxbridge and served there until he served as a chaplain in the United States Army Reserve from 1975 to 2000, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. On June 30, 1989, he was named pastor of St. Leo Parish in Leominster. His community involvements included the Monachusett Opportunity Council, the Leominster Housing Authority and the Montachusett Home Care Corporation.
At present he lives with his sister, Catherine, in Oxford and continues sacramental ministry assisting parishes throughout the Diocese. He serves currently on the board of Catholic Charities, the Diocesan Expansion Fund and the Clergy Benefit Fund.
2015 Tom & Barbara McGuirk
2014 Martin & Kathleen Connors
2013 Stephen Perla
2012 Norman & Carol Boudreau
Well known throughout the Montachusett region, Norman retired as President from IC Federal Credit Union in 2008, after 45 years of service. Carol retired in 2001 after seven years of employment at Burbank Hospital and 18 years at Halstead Insurance Agency, Inc. Both graduated from Gardner High School with Norman continuing his studies at Clark University while Carol graduated from Becker Junior College. They married in 1960 and have four adult children and nine grandchildren.
Among their joint Church involvements, they are members of the Serra Club of Worcester North which fosters vocations to the priesthood and religious like, and they were General Co-Chairs of the 2002 Bishop's Fund, and the 2011 "Share Our Blessings" Campaign for their home parish, St. Joseph Parish, Fitchburg.
Currently, Carol is a lector and Eucharistic Minister at St. Joseph's Parish and visits the sick weekly. Norman is founding director of the St. Paul Catholic Schools Consortium, is a trustee of HealthAlliance Hospital, a director of the IC Federal Credit Union, and a director for the Montachusett Regional Technical School Foundation.
2010 M. Marcus Moran, Jr.
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Mr. Moran's previous post as chairman of the St. Paul Catholic Schools Consortium and his tenure as Chairman of the IC Federal Credit Union, are only two examples of outstanding community service. He is also Director of the Thayer Symphony, as well as Chairman of the local Boys & Girls Club. Furthermore, he was previously the Director of Children's Aid and Family Service, First Service Bank, Fitchburg Visiting Nurses Association, and the Fay Club, Inc. At the United Way of North Central Massachusetts, Mr. Moran made a tremendous difference, at various times acting as Director, President and Campaign Chairman.
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His extraordinary commitment to youth of the area is also inspiring. In addition to being an accomplished teacher and author of a college-level business mathematics textbook, Mr. Moran has served as a trustee for several schools, including Cushing Academy, Julie Country Day, Nichols College, Notre Dame Academy and Fitchburg State University, where he was also a member of the President Circle. He's been a Trustee of Fitchburg State University Foundation, Inc. and a Member of Education and Enrichment Enrichment at Montachusett Regional Technical High School.
His involvement and commitment to the community have been recognized repeatedly. He has received the Boy Scout's Distinguished Citizen of the Year, Fitchburg State University Community Leadership Award, Outstanding Young Men of America, Mount Wachusett Community College Service Award and the Key to the City of Fitchburg.