St. John Cantius Parish has had a long tradition of presenting the Golden Rose to an individual, family or institution which has displayed an outstanding example of living, promoting or implementing Catholic teaching. The Golden Rose is a precious and sacred ornament made of pure gold, which on Laetare Sunday popes have often blessed and conferred upon persons distinguished for their faith and loyalty to the Holy See, as a mark of esteem and paternal affection. The golden flower given on this day shows forth Christ and His Kingly Majesty. The thorns and red color of real roses tell of His Passion, to which the Prophet Isaiah alludes: “Why then is thy apparel red, and thy garments like theirs that tread in the winepress?” (Isaiah 63:2) Thus, this Sunday on which the rose is blessed is often called Rose Sunday.
Lisa Kowalik received the Golden Rose on Laetare Sunday, March 14th. For well over a decade Lisa has been teaching our little ones as they prepare for First Holy Communion. We commend her hard work for her patient and loving dedication to the children and the Sacraments.
The past recipients of the Golden Rose Award are:
2020—Joe Urbaszewski
2019—William Melichar
2018—Andrea Eisenberg
2017—Kathleen Carr (Catholic Art Guild)
2016—Ruth-Margaret Durkin
2015—Myles Ahearn
2014—Kelly Ford
2013—Jed Gibbons
2012—Dan Cheely
2011—Michel Ozorak
2010—+Fr. Dudley Day, O.S.A. & Fran Shambro
2009—Richard Caro
2008—Rudolph Geter
2007—Mark Middendorf
2006—Mr. & Mrs. Wilbert Hegener
2005—+Fr. James Downey, O.S.B.
2004—Fr. Bart Juncer
2003—Mary Anne Hackett
2002—Richard Guzior
2001—Mary Kraychy
2000—Magdalen College
+Monsignor Richard Schuler
1999—William & Rose Marie Fairman
1998—Dorie Gruss
1997—Dorothy Amorella