5:00 pm: Mass in Our Lady of the Assumption Chapel

Enders Island, Mystic, CT

6:30 pm: Reception, followed by dinner

Lake Of Isles, North Stonington, CT

The St. Edmund's Medal of Honor celebrates lives filled with grace and virtue, reflecting the legacy of St. Edmund, Archbishop of Canterbury and Patron Saint of St. Edmund's Retreat. The medal is presented to men and women who, like St. Edmund, see talents and expertise as God-given gifts. They are ordinary people doing extraordinary service for the church and community. We invite you to honor and recognize our 2024 honorees with your attendance and sponsorship of this wonderful evening of celebration.

Father Raymond Suriani

Father Raymond Suriani served at Saint Pius X Catholic Church Parish in Westerly, RI as an assistant pastor and then Pastor Emeritus from 1988 to 2016. Father Raymond is a published writer in many Catholic publications as well, including Rhode Island Catholic, where he serves as a contributing editor. Father Ray graduated Magna Cum Laude from Providence College with a BA in Religious Studies in 1979. He then went on to study at the University of St. Michael's College in Toronto, Ontario, and received an MA in theology in 1982.  He was given the 'St. Thomas More Defender of the Faith Pro-Life Award' for a lifetime of work to promote and defend the dignity and sanctity of human life. Father Ray maintains a blog called Father Ray's 'Other' Corner, where he has been posting printed versions of his homilies since 2005. Although he retired, he is still an active member of the parish for masses, confessions, and in any other way that he can.

         Dr. Gloria Purvis

Gloria Purvis is a Catholic media commentator, author, and the host and executive producer of The Gloria Purvis Podcast in collaboration with America Media, which aims to "foster a culture of charitable dialogue." Dr. Purvis grew up in Charleston, South Carolina within a religiously diverse Black family. She converted to Catholicism at the age of 12 and noticed not only the lack of a Catholic population in the town but also an even smaller Black Catholic population. So, she then shifted from the corporate world to Catholic media, spreading her knowledge and beliefs to the world. She is a pro-life speaker and strong activist for life issues, racial justice, and religious liberty. Purvis has served on the National Black Catholic Congress's Leadership Commission on Social Justice and is the inaugural Pastoral Fellow for the University of Notre Dame's Office of Life and Human Dignity at the McGrath Institute for Church Life. Dr. Purvis holds honorary doctorates in Humane Letters from the University of Portland in Oregon and Saint Martin's University in Washington State.

       The Sisters of Life

The Sisters of Life are being recognized for the St. Edmund's Medal of Honor for their continued compassion in assisting women in crisis. The Sisters of Life are a Roman Catholic community of religious women who pledge vows of poverty, chastity, obedience, and to protect and enhance the sacredness of human life. They have multiple Archdioceses reaching across the country in New York State, NYC, Stamford, CT, Philadelphia, PA, Washington D.C., Denver, CO, Phoenix, AZ, and Toronto, Canada. Cardinal John O'Connor, a navy chaplain-become-archbishop of New York, founded this organization on June 1, 1991, with eight women in New York to form the new community of the Sisters of Life. From then on these Sisters were given with the mission to serve women who are vulnerable to abortion, giving them the support and resources to be able to choose life for themselves and their children; hosting weekend retreats; evangelization; outreach to college students; and helping women who have suffered after abortion to encounter the mercy and healing of Jesus Christ. The Sisters of Life are being recognized for this prestigious honor because of their belief that every person's life is sacred and has a deep meaning, purpose, and worth.

   Sister Norma Pimentel

Sister Norma Pimentel is a Sister with the Missionaries of Jesus and an Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley for over twelve years, she oversees the charitable branch of the Diocese of Brownsville, the second largest Catholic Diocese in the United States. Sister Pimentel has over twenty years of experience in providing oversight to a diverse set of ministries and social services in the Rio Grande Valley such as homeless prevention, disaster relief, clinical counseling, pregnancy care, food assistance, emergency assistance, and humanitarian relief to immigrants. In 2014, during the influx of immigrants entering the United States through the Southern Border, Sister Pimentel with the support of the local community established the Humanitarian Respite Center, provided a safe space for immigrants to rest before continuing their journey to other parts of the United States. 

Sister Pimentel holds a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from Pan American University, a master's degree in theology from St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas, and a master's degree in pastoral counseling from Loyola University in Chicago. She also holds over five honorary doctoral degrees from some of the most prestigious universities in our nation such as the University of Notre Dame. Furthermore, known as the Pope's favorite nun, Sister Pimentel is also an artist whose paintings have captivated numerous audiences. Sister Norma Pimentel is being recognized for this prestigious honor because of her extraordinary service for the immigrant community and the church.

Hotel Accommodations

For guests needing overnight accommodations, the following hotel is offering a 15% discount.

Please contact them directly.  

Hilton Garden Inn
Chad Eaton
Chad.Eaton@Hilton.com
Call: 860-885-1000

Or

Click Here

Group Code: STER or St. Edmunds Retreat
Discount Rate Expires 09/20/24