National group honors Bishop, two deacons

Members of the Albany Diocese played key roles during the 28th annual meeting of the National Association of Diaconate Directors, held recently in Cherry Hill, N.J.:

* The group's prestigious William Philbin Award was given to Bishop Howard J. Hubbard;

* The Bart O'Leary Award was presented to three men, including Deacon Frank Lukovits, director of diaconate personnel for the Albany Diocese. The award honors outstanding service to the NADD. He serves at St. Henry's parish in Averill Park; and

* Deacon Timothy McAuliffe, co-director of deacons in the Albany Diocese, began his term as NADD president; he serves at Holy Cross parish in Albany.

The Philbin Award, given to Bishop Hubbard, recognizes contributions to the permanent diaconate on a national and local level. Bishop Hubbard is a member of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on the Diaconate.

The award is named for Rev. William Philbin, who assisted with implementing the diaconate in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

The NADD was organized in 1976 to support diaconate directors, associate directors and their staffs with their mission to enable deacons, candidates, aspirants and their wives to utilize their gifts in the service of the Church.

(5/6/04) [[In-content Ad]]