Pittsburgh, Pa., May 30, 2011 / 11:07 am
Father John Haney, administrator of St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin Parish and School in Whitehall, Pa. and pastor for 27 years, has received a Distinguished Pastor Award from the National Catholic Educational Association.
He was one of eight priests in the nation recognized for outstanding support of Catholic education at the annual NCEA convention April 26-28 in New Orleans.
The awards are given annually and were established by NCEA’s Department of Elementary Schools executive committee in 2007 to acknowledge the exceptional contributions and leadership of pastors.
“Catholic education is alive and well in the country,” Father Haney said, noting that about 8,500 delegates were at the NCEA conference, and “they were all gung-ho.” About 400 delegates attended the awards banquet, where 40 teachers, 25 principals and the eight pastors were recognized.