LATEST TEACHER LEGACY AWARD WINNERS NAMED

Catholic Holy Family Society is delighted to announce that Sr. Peggy Fornicola, a teacher at St. Mary’s Catholic Grade School in Sault Sainte Marie, MI, Mrs. Cynthia DiBattiste, a first grade teacher at Mother of Sorrows School in Murrysville, PA, and Ms. Carol Waide, a second grade teacher at  Immaculate Conception Catholic Grade School in Columbia, IL,  are the latest  recipients of the Society’s Teacher Legacy Award.

Each Award winner receives a personally engraved school bell,  $100 gift certificate and $50 to spend on her classroom. The Society congratulates each of these outstanding teachers for their dedication to providing exemplary Catholic education.

For more information about the Teacher Legacy Award and the nomination process, contact Mary Barbara Kurtz at (800)240-2554, or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Sr. Peggy Fornicola (L), Mark Salisbury, Superintendent of the Diocese of Marquette, MI, and Maria Farney, Principal of St. Mary's School.

St. Mary’s School Principal, Maria Farney, who nominated Sr. Peggy for the award said, “Sr. Peggy has dedicated her life to Catholic education and has been teaching now for 47 years.  Throughout her teaching she has not only taught students how to read and write, but she has also taught them to love their faith and she has prepared them to receive the sacraments and become active members of the church.  Sr. Peggy, through her untiring dedication to all God’s children, has left a lasting impact in the lives of the children and community where she serves.”

Joseph Rice, Principal of Mother of Sorrows School (L), Mrs. Cindy DiBattiste and Claude Myers, CHFS District 1 Trustee.

Mother of Sorrows School Principal Joseph Rice nominated Mrs. Cindy DiBattiste for the award.  He said, “Cindy understands that this is not just a job, but rather a way of life, a ministry, a calling.  She gives of herself in her caring for the students in her charge.  She takes their learning very personally, and that does not just mean their ability to read or add.  She is a Catholic School Teacher, so character development and faith are very important parts of her classroom.  She loves the families she deals with as well as the students she works with.  Through these experiences, she is able to model what Catholic Education can produce.”

Mrs. Carol Waide, Second Grade Teacher at Immaculate Conception Catholic Grade School.

In a surprise visit to Mrs. Waide’s end of year school Mass at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Columbia, IL, CHFS Fraternal Director Mary Barbara Kurtz, made the award presentation.  Immaculate Conception Principal Michael  Kish remarked, “Carol goes beyond the normal definition of the classroom teacher.  She sees the big picture when looking at the educational process and involves herself for the good of all at Immaculate Conception grade school.  She has a heart  for the social justice movement that is at the root of Christianity and has formed a “Kids for Social Justice” group in school which works several times a year with the developmentally challenged and Special Olympics”.

Catholic Holy Family Society is a member-owned life insurance organization with a commitment to community support and volunteerism .  For more information about CHFS, please call 233-0286 or 800-240-2554.