Dating from around the world, the Knights of Columbus has a long-standing program called Family of the Month. Its purpose is to recognize Parish Families whose daily lives exhibit the Spirit of Columbianism. Now that we are in our new church, our St. Faustina Council 14271 is bringing this program to our parish. Each month, the council Family of the Month committee selects one parish family that models Christian family values and visibly lives them every day. Once a year, the council also will select one of the previous twelve Family of the Month awardees to represent the council/parish as the potential international Family of the Year.
Fr. Ramon Bolatete and Fr. John McNalis, as worthy chaplain and member of the St. Faustina Council respectively, are members of the Family of the Month committee. The selected Family of the Month is drawn from the list of nominees and not chosen in a particular order.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A NOMINATION, please send an email to office@stfaustina.org with any information you have on your nominee.
Tom and Nancy Madden
Named April “Family of the Month”
Tom and Nancy Madden Residents of Clermont for 30 years, Tom and Nancy Madden joined St. Faustina Parish in October 2012, having previously been members of Blessed Sacrament Parish.
Tom volunteered as a Lector for Sunday Mass and Nancy became active in Respect for Life. In 2013 Father Dave Gillis asked Nancy to join the Parish Council; she served for seven years. Tom became part of the Finance Council and in January 2015 Father Dave appointed Tom as Finance Council Chairman, a position which he held until this spring. Both Tom and Nancy have served as Mass Captains and ushers. Tom also worked with the architects and contractors on the St. Faustina Building Committee and worked to coordinate the moves of our Parish into the Glenwood Commons building in 2015 and then into our new Church building in February.
Until recently Nancy has led the Respect Life Ministry, providing educational materials, and serving as liaison with the South Lake Pregnancy and Family Care Center. They continue to work on Pro-Life projects in the community. Nancy has assisted with Parish Bake Sales as well as Raffles and other parish events. Also, of note, Tom and Nancy helped to organize and host the annual St. Faustina Christmas Party for several years.
They have six children and 14 grandchildren scattered across the country.
Dave and Judy Gutowski
Named March “Family of the Month”
Dave and Judy Gutowski were named the Knights of Columbus March “Family of the Month” prior to the 4 pm Mass on April 30.
Both long-time parishioners, Dave was a member of the Fund-Raising Committee back when the parish was in the plaza on Route 192 and served two terms on the Parish Council while we were in Glenbrook Plaza. He has also participated in Father Dave Gillis’ 50/50 raffle, the parish picnic basket raffle, the Friday Lenten Soup Supper, the bake sale, and the clean-up crew when we moved from the plaza on 192 to the plaza on Route 27. Dave is also responsible for the daily spiritual postings on our parish Facebook page.
Judy started and ran the Welcoming Committee when the parish was in 192 plaza and served on the parish’s first Building Committee with Father Steve. She has been a Eucharistic Minister and has worked in the gift shop. Judy helped get the Marian Fathers to our 192 location for a Parish Mission on St. Faustina and the Divine Mercy.
Pingalore Family
Named February “Family of the Month”
In first row are Mike, Tina, daughters Ella & Grace, and Fr. Ramon. The back row consists of Knights, Bob, Ed, John & Michael
Mike, Tina, Ella and Grace Pingalore are the February Family of the Month.
Mike is co-chairman of the Fundraising Committee and was the emcee at our parish Christmas party the last two years. He is also an usher at the 11:30 Mass. Tina is the head sacristan, an usher at the 11:30 Mass and is also a Religious Education teacher. She has been teaching for three years and this year has the seventh-graders.
Frank and Diane Maglione
Named January “Family of the Month”
Parishioners Frank and Diane Maglione earned the St. Faustina Knights of Columbus first “Family of the Month” award and were recognized prior to the February 25, 2023 4 pm Mass. The award recognizes parish families whose daily lives exhibit the Spirit of Columbianism.
Frank and Diane attended St. Faustina’s first Christmas mass in the Glenbrook property back in 2015. They registered and became permanent parishioners in July 2017.
Frank served on the following committees: Hospitality Sunday, Frank and Diane coordinated the wrap and pack team during the move here at our new church. Frank currently serves as the Chairman of the Parish Council. He is an altar server, reader, usher and continues to serve wherever he is needed.
Diane served on the following committees: Hospitality Sunday, money counter, sat on the liturgy committee. She currently serves as a reader, EMHC (Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion), sits on the finance committee and started the Bereavement/Consolation ministry here at St. Faustina, where she served as the coordinator up until this year, but still remains as part of team. She continues to serve wherever she is needed.
