For the first time in five years, the Niagara Catholic District School Board is honouring education leaders with its Award of Distinction.

Three people were endorsed by the board at its Feb. 13 special board meeting — John Belcastro, Sr. Mary Kay Camp and Angelo Di Ianni. The trio will be presented their awards at the Niagara Foundation for Catholic Education Annual Benefit Gala March 21.

Fr. Sajo Jacob of St. Pius X Parish in Calgary said the Relighting Lives Foundation he supports is passionate about “empowering youth and outreach to the poorest of the poor.”

Contributions to the non-profit organization, formerly the Path to Peace Foundation, support families struggling to address their basic needs, equipping families to become self-sufficient “through education and proper training by NGOs,” according to its website. 

Sofia Ranke knows she “can’t change the world” and singlehandedly eradicate the evil scourge of human trafficking. Nevertheless, she is determined to fight for victimized girls, women, boys and men by using the power of her voice. 

After finally landing an all-important corporate gig that allowed him to overlook the CN Tower from his desk in downtown Toronto, Szymon Sorbian expected to feel a sense of true accomplishment. However, despite finding himself well-positioned in the rat race he had worked so hard for, he felt anything but. 

Fr. Leo Ramsperger has been celebrating Mass as a priest since the mid-1950s, and despite retiring from formal service back in 1997, he remains deeply rooted in his faith and continues to celebrate life at every opportunity. 

On my first day upon returning to work at St. Michael’s Hospital as a hospital priest, I was wondering what things would be like in my role. On the jammed subway, suddenly I found myself reflecting on Jesus’ words — “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:37).

Claire and Ronnie de la Gana are a couple on a mission. Married for 27 years, the couple have put faith and community service at the centre of their marriage and family life.