CATHOLIC MAN OF THE YEAR
CATHOLIC MAN OF THE YEAR
On Friday, February 3, 2023, Bishop Earl Fernandes presented the award for the Catholic Man of the Year at Columbus St. Patrick Church, 280 N. Grant Avenue, during the CMLC luncheon which immediately follows the 11:45 a.m. Mass. This year's recipient is Dr. Eric V. Yang.
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While nominations for the 2023 Catholic Man of the Year are currently closed, prayerfully consider your candidates for nomination for the upcoming year (2024).
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Follow the link below (button) to the online Nomination Form or learn more by following the button for Nomination Instructions.
2023 CATHOLIC MAN OF THE YEAR
- Dr. Eric V. Yang
On February 3rd, 2023, the Catholic Men’s Luncheon Club awarded Dr. Eric V. Yang of St. Peter parish with the honor of being the 2023 Catholic Man of the Year. CLICK THE AUDIO LINK BELOW to listen to the recording of this very inspirational event!
Dr. Eric Yang of St. Peter Church, Columbus, is an adjunct lecturer in biology and developmental biology at the Pontifical College Josephinum and in biology and physiology at Columbus State Community College and is an active member of his parish and the Knights of Columbus. Current parish activities include membership on leadership teams for the men’s spirituality ministry, the core planning team for Eucharistic Adoration and the North Columbus Serra Club.
He received the Catholic Man of the Year award in the Diocese of Columbus at the annual recognition event conducted by the Catholic Men’s Luncheon Club on February 3, 2023.
2021 CATHOLIC MAN OF THE YEAR NOMINEES
AWARD WINNER Stephan Johnson (Our Lady of Lourdes, Ada)
Jose Banaag (Our Lady of Lourdes, Marysville)
John Bradford (St. Mary, Lancaster)
Mark Butler (Holy Spirit, Columbus)
Jim Cogan (St. Brendan, Hilliard)
Matthew Curoe (St. Thomas More Newman Center, Columbus)
Dan DeMatte (St. Catharine, Columbus)
Jim Foley (Immaculate Conception, Columbus)
James Gernetzke (St. Matthew, Gahanna)
Thomas Lisk (St. Patrick, Columbus)
George Medary (Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, Columbus)
Keith Mickley (St. Luke, Danville)
Robert Poirier (Immaculate Conception, Columbus)
Charles Mers (St. Paul, Westerville)
Tom Mignery (St. Matthew, Gahanna)
Fenton Moore (St. Andrew, Columbus)
Matt Palmer (St. Catharine, Columbus)
Joseph Pauls (St. Mary, Chillicothe)
John Reiner (St. Brigid, Dublin)
Aaron Richards (St. John Neumann, Sunbury)
Gregory Savoldi (St. Joseph Cathedral, Columbus)
Raymond Stankunas (St. Edward, Granville)
CATHOLIC MAN OF THE YEAR PAST RECIPIENTS
Past recipients of the Catholic Man of the Year award are pictured below. Some of their award presentaions may be found on the Speakers & Presentations page.
St. Peter Church
St. John Neumann
Our Lady of Lourdes
Our Lady of Perpetual Help
St. Matthew Parish
St. Pius X
St. Dominic
St. Matthew
St. Michael
Blessed Sacrament
St. Anthony
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
CATHOLIC MAN OF THE YEAR - NOMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
The Catholic Men’s Luncheon Club (CMLC) is accepting nominations for the Columbus Diocese 2023 Catholic Man of the Year. The winner will receive the award at Columbus St. Patrick Church, 280 N. Grant Avenue, on Friday, February 3, 2023 during the CMLC luncheon which immediately follows the 11:45 a.m. Mass.
About the Award
This award has a long tradition in the Diocese of Columbus. Nominees must be laymen who, through their daily actions, words, and prayers, exemplify the “good and faithful servant.” The recipient of the award will be given the opportunity to share his personal testimony during the award ceremony which is then shared throughout the diocese through the Catholic Times and St. Gabriel Catholic Radio.
Selection Process
The process for selecting Catholic Man of the Year is challenging, because while each nominee is worthy, the Committee can only select one from those nominated. The Selection Committee consists of two men from these groups: Catholic Men's Luncheon Club, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Men's Ministry, Young Catholic Professionals, the Serra Club and a diocesan priest. After careful consideration of all nominations, the Committee makes a recommendation to the Bishop. Last year’s honoree was Dr. Allen Lewis from St. John Neumann Parish.
Nomination Form - Due by December 31, 2022
Please nominate men in the diocese whom you believe would serve as an inspiration and would strengthen all Catholic men to continue living their vocation of holiness. Use the nomination form found at www.catholicmensministry.com/catholic-man-of-the-year
Please note: Posthumous nominations will not be accepted. Prior-year nominees may be updated and re-submitted.
Requested Nominee Information
Include the following information in the Nomination Form from the website.
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List and describe specific qualities of the nominee, addressing the person’s: spirituality and how he exemplifies Christ in his home, parish, and the community. Make your remarks as descriptive as possible, using a maximum of 500 words. (It is more important what you write than how much you write).
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A brief biographical sketch of the nominee.
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A list of the nominee’s group involvements, including parish activity, family life and community service.
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You may attach up to three written witness testimonials (letters or remarks) from others who know the nominee and can testify to his qualifications, attesting to the nominee’s love of God and of others, as shown through his service, including examples of how the nominee lives the Catholic faith. Please consider a letter from the nominee's pastor as one of the three testimonials.
The Luncheon
All nominees are invited to the award ceremony and luncheon as guests of the Catholic Men’s Luncheon Club.
Questions
Direct further questions regarding the nomination or selection process should be directed to Tim Merkle at (614) 839-5700 or catholicmanoftheyear@gmail.com.
