It took two events to honor the award winners at this year’s Shining Stars Dinners, sponsored by the diocese’s Catholic Migration Services.  Thirty-one people, one from each of the ethnic apostolates served in the diocese, were chosen for their dedication and service to the Church and community.

Both ceremonies were held at Gargiulo’s, Coney Island, with each attracting about 500 people.  Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, known nationwide for his ministry to migrants, presented the honors at each dinner.  He was joined by Msgr. Ronald Marino, Vicar for Migrants and Ethnic Apostolates, and Father Patrick Keating, director of Catholic Migration Services and Resources.

Aside from their professional and family lives, these “Stars” are inspirational leaders whose time for parish and church activities knows no bounds.

Chung-Joe Calderone, who represented the Brooklyn Chinese Apostolate, is a case in point.  A native of Taiwan, she came to America to study fashion and today works as an assistant designer in the garment industry.  In addition, she volunteers in pastoral care at Holy Family Home in Bensonhurst and the Redemptorist Sewing Group at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Basilica, Sunset Park.  She lectors at St. Rosalia Church.  Her three daughters follow her good example and they are leaders in the Chinese children’s ministry.

Carmen Rosa, a native of Puerto Rico, is a member of St. Patrick’s parish, Long Island City, where she and her husband, Angel Luis, are big promoters of Marriage Encounter in the Hispanic community.  She also was instrumental in introducing the Cursillo movement to the parish.  She served as the Hispanic Association’s liaison to the Parish Council.  She also shares her talents by helping with baptismal preparations and other sacramental formation programs to non-English speaking parishioners. She is a trustee of St. Patrick’s and a member of the parish’s Strategic Planning Committee. On the diocesan level, she is a member of the diaconate program’s evaluation committee and the Hispanic Ministry Office’s executive committee. She helps plans the annual diocesan celebration of Our Lady of Providencia.

Coro Co Dioquino, who arrived in New York from the Philippines in 1974, lives in St. Bartholomew’s parish, Elmhurst. After extensive training as a catechist, she is now involved in the RCIA programs for adults and children. She also teaches in the special education faith formation program. She is an extraordinary minister of the Holy Communion and an auxiliary member of the Legion of Mary. A graduate of the diocese’s Lay Leadership Program, she is a trustee of St. Bartholomew’s.  She also serves as treasurer of the diocesan Filipino Apostolate. She coordinates monthly Filipino Masses at the parish and assists in distributing liturgical materials to the 19 churches in Brooklyn and Queens that host ministries to Filipinos.

Emerson G. Farquhar, the choice of the West Indian Apostolate, has been a member of St. Jerome’s parish, East Flatbush, since 1980.  He has served there as an usher and greeter, a member of the fundraising committee, and a member of the fiscal accountability staff.

These four capsule looks at Shining Stars only scratch the surface of the contribution and value of immigrant peoples to the diocese. The well-deserved annual dinner(s) that pays tribute to them is surely building as a highlight of the diocesan social scene.

See photos on Page 15 and additional coverage on our website at www.thetablet.org.