2014 H.O.P.E.S St. John Neumann Award Recipients

This celebration is dedicated to the men and women who have given so generously of their time & talent in support of Catholic school education in the Archdiocese of Hartford by serving their parish schools by helping with their time and talents. Archbishop Leonard Blair and Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Dale R. Hoyt and Assistant Superintendent, Maria Maynard presented each recipient with the St. John Neumann Award.

From our own St. Vincent de Paul School, we are thrilled to congratulate recipients Michael Canestri and Paul Morris.

Mike Canestri is a member of our school board, building and safety committee, and created our “Friends of the Future Campaign” where he procured over 100,000 in donations to the success of St. Vincent de Paul School. Mike was instrumental in the school’s conversion to gas and other money-saving costs to St. Vincent’s infrastructure. He can often be seen around school giving his time to the general maintenance of the building.

Current chairman of the School Board and Finance Committee, Paul was the lead writer of the school’s strategic plan and restructuring of our financial plan. Paul also gives countless hours of his time volunteering for our weekly bingo, and other school events, as well as planning curriculum enrichment activities such as Sikorsky Aircrafts’ visit to the students with their Heliventure program.

Both Mike and Paul have given generously offering their time, talents, service and ideas to help strengthen the St. Vincent de Paul community. We are blessed to have them here.

While Michael Canestri and Paul Morris have received special accolades this year, please know that we value and are grateful for all of our volunteers. Their generous choice to share their time, talent and treasure with our school helps make St. Vincent de Paul School a vibrant, active community alive with faith and a sense of common purpose. Thank you to all our volunteers!