Marmion alumnus awarded for service in religious education

Marmion alumnus Pat Mitchell of Sugar Grove received the Rockford Diocese's Bishop O'Neill Award for his outstanding service in the catechetical and religious education ministry at St. Katherine Drexel Parish in Sugar Grove. Mitchell has taught eighth-grade religious education classes and vacation Bible school since 2012.

The Bishop O'Neill Award, named for the late Bishop Arthur J. O'Neill, recognizes Catechists who have given outstanding service usually over a considerable period of time and is given to recipients only once.

"The award was a surprise and humbling. I am blessed that I can work with these young people and see the life and vitality in each of them. I thank God that my peers have recognized my hard work and that I do my best to provide children and young adults with fun and educational religious classes," Mitchell stated.

Mitchell is a 2004 graduate of Marmion Academy and is employed at the academy as the director of transportation and assistant athletic director.

Mitchell's co-teacher, Jim Pullano of Sugar Grove, was also awarded the Bishop O'Neill Award. Pullano is the father of two Marmion students: Anthony, Class of 2015, and James, Class of 2017.

Marmion Academy, a Catholic-Benedictine college preparatory high school for young men, is a community dedicated to spiritual formation, academic excellence and leadership development. For information, visit marmion.org.