NIAGARA CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
Legends Honoured at 2025 Niagara Foundation for Catholic Education Annual Benefit Gala

Three titans of Catholic education in Niagara whose names are familiar to most people in Niagara. For those unfamiliar, Burtnik and Fera were two of Niagara Catholic's longest-serving trustees and board chairs, and Crocco served as Director of Education for a dozen years.

The trio were celebrated on March 27 at the Niagara Foundation for Catholic Education's Annual Benefit Gala, which raises funds to support students in need, as the 2025 recipients of the Niagara Catholic Education Award of Distinction.

The evening began with music by Niagara Catholic Itinerant Arts teacher Dr. Christina Le Rose, followed by a series of speeches which feted the trio and the organization.

Father Paul MacNeil, Vicar of Education in the Diocese of St. Catharines, welcomed everyone in attendance, congratulated the Award of Distinction recipients, and recalled fondly his time on Niagara Catholic's Board of Trustees.

He then recounted a story about the time he spent in India with Saint Mother Teresa.

"As I have shared openly many times, she asked me when I was going into the seminary," said Fr. Paul. "My answer was never.' I explained to her that I had already been in the seminary for four years, but I left in 1989, and I did not intend to go back. Her response? A vocation is a beautiful gift from God, don't throw it away that easily.." 

Speaking to his brother clergy, Fr. Paul urged them to continue to evangelize in schools.

" It has been my experience that one of the greatest gifts we have is Catholic education," he said. "I want to encourage each of you, please, spend time in our schools. Get to know our teachers and our principals and all our support staff but most importantly our students. In our schools, you will find students and teachers and staff who are hungry for the Word of God, and who will respond to your love and your presence. As Saint Mother Teresa said to me about my vocation, I would like to say to you, and to everyone here, about Catholic education: Catholic education is a gift from God, don't throw it away."

Jim Marino, Executive Director of the Foundation and a Niagara Catholic trustee, recognized Sr. Mary Kay Camp, a 2024 Award of Distinction recipient who was unable to attend last year.

Sr. Mary Kay is a member of the Loretto Sisters, which made a substantial contribution to the Foundation in honour of her recognition.

"The Sisters of Loretto are proud of their long history of involvement and inspirational service, rooted in rich Catholic education, that has nurtured and supported students to grow spiritually and academically at elementary and secondary levels," he said. "They have every right to cherish that pride."

Noting a letter the Foundation received last year, Marino announced the donation.

"The Foundation is very grateful to the Loretto Sisters for their very significant generosity in recognizing Sister Mary Kay," he said. "The enclosure in the letter was a cheque in the amount of $50,000."

Marino also credited Bishop Bergie for his commitment to Catholic education.

"Your passion about the treasure of a Catholic education is evident every time you speak of it," he said. Recalling a speaker series led by the Ontario Catholic School Trustees' Association, Marino added " you methodically tied together hope and Catholic education with resonating, moving words, while encouraging students to never despair, never give up, maintain hope, that they are never alone on their journey, God is with you, God loves you, He will never give up on you. Excellency, we all need that reminder. Thank you."

In his remarks, Chair of the Board Danny Di Lorenzo credited his fellow trustee Jim Marino, Executive Director of the Foundation, for his tireless work in support of students.

"Jim is at the Catholic Education Centre four days a week, working the phones and sending emails, drumming up donations and helping organize this event and the golf tournament held each September," he said. "If students are at the heart of the Foundation, Jim, you truly are its soul, and we are all very grateful for everything that you do for students every day. "

On the 2025 honourees, Di Lorenzo offered this:

"For many years, I had the pleasure of working for and alongside John Crocco, Kathy Burtnik, and Frank Fera. I'm proud to be here this evening to see them recognized with the Niagara Catholic Education Award of Distinction for their tireless contributions to Niagara Catholic, and to Catholic education in Ontario. Kathy, John, Frank - each one of you is truly worthy of this award."

Director of Education Camillo Cipriano also credited Marino, Burtnik, Crocco, and Fera.

"As both a trustee and Executive Director of the Foundation, Jim exemplifies all of our Catholic Social Teachings, but through his work with the Foundation he especially demonstrates a deep respect for life and dignity of the human person, the call to family, community, and participation, and, of course, putting the needs of the poor and vulnerable first," he said. "Thank you, Jim, for being an excellent role model for Catholic leadership - for me personally, and for our entire system."

Addressing the night's honourees, Cipriano had high praise.

"I have a personal connection to all three - Kathy Burtnik and Frank Fera were on the Board of Trustees in 2020 that blessed me with the opportunity to be Director of Education. I knew then, in my first encounter with both of them, that they were both incredibly proud and fiercely protective of the board - like a parent protects a child. I only came to understand in the years since that they not only have this strong reputation for protecting Catholic education in the Niagara region, but also provincially.

Recounting the days he spent with the outgoing director in the summer of 2020, Cipriano spoke of the lessons he learned.

"I recall in August of 2020, I had the opportunity to meet with John on many occasions in his office, while he was in his last month in the role," he said. "I had been announced as the new director, my starting date was to begin on September 1. These meetings with him in August helped me in my transition. I recall many of those days, sitting with him in awe of his knowledge and, probably more so, his passion for every school, program, and person working in the board. John, like Kathy and Frank, was not only known for his tireless work in Catholic education in the Niagara region, but beyond our borders. He was a mentor to many Catholic directors across the province and that impact continues today."

Before offering the blessing before the meal, Bishop Bergie spoke about the Jubilee Year of Hope, and the power hope brings to us all.

Quoting Pope Francis, Bishop Bergie said "We must fan the flames of hope that have been given us and help everyone gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart, and far-sighted vision."

He continued, "Having hope has always been a challenge at times; however, it is even more difficult today given all the difficulties we face as individuals, as a nation. The existential threats we face are real and daunting. Right now, many are looking at the present and future with fear and uncertainty rather than hope. They do not have an open spirit, a trusting vision, or a sense of far-sighted vision. What can we do? A simple answer is to have faith - faith in Jesus Christ."

Bishop Bergie also credited the Foundation and congratulated Burtnik, Crocco, and Fera.

"Tonight, we are attending an event that is sponsored by the Niagara Foundation for Catholic Education, whose mission is to support students in need who attend the Niagara Catholic District School Board," he said. "In the work of these two organizations we find the presence of Jesus Christ in (their) members. As they model Christ, we experience hope.

"We honour three individuals tonight, Kathy Burtnik, John Crocco, and Frank Fera. Again, in these individuals we see Christ, especially in their lives of loving service and commitment to Catholic education," Bishop Bergie concluded.

For their parts, Burtnik, Crocco, and Fera, spoke of their time with Niagara Catholic and thanking their former colleagues and their loved ones for support.

Each used a single word - humbled - to describe their recognition.

"I am overwhelmed with humility and gratitude," said Burtnik. When I began this journey of trustee, I had no idea of the awesome gift Catholic education really is." She spoke about the sacrifices her family made, noting the missed meals, bedtimes, and games, to allow her to support other peoples' children, and the impact of the student trustees she encountered over the years.

"If I knew then what I know now I may not be standing here," Burtnik said. "I got into this because an 18-year-old student had put their name on the ballot in 1994 - there was no way I was going to let that individual make decisions for my children, silly me. Tonight, I would like to share this recognition with every student trustee I had the privilege of mentoring. Honestly, you taught me more than I could ever teach you - thank you!"

Crocco said he could never have imagined his career trajectory as a 23-year-old first-year teacher.

"When you begin a career, you never know when and where it will take you," he said. "From September 6, 1983, my first day as a Grade 7 teacher in New Liskeard, to August 31, 2020, when I walked out of the board office to begin a new voyage, I have been blessed by all who have been a part of this remarkable journey," he said.

After sharing some of the many accomplishments during his years as superintendent and then Director of Education, Crocco congratulated his two co-recipients.

"It is humbling to be included with those who have received this Award of Distinction in the past and to be included with Kathy and Frank - two individuals that together we have shared a journey in Catholic education for over 30 years. I congratulate Kathy and Frank in recognition for their impact on Catholic education. For Kathy, in addition to being a business leader Frank, after retiring as principal, for decades they put their names on a ballot every four years to be elected as a trustee - something that I have always respected in individuals who step forward to publicly serve - and serve they did. Their actions spoke about our shared passion for Niagara Catholic and Catholic education."

As the evening's final speaker, Fera also offered his congratulations to his fellow honourees and thanked his family, students, colleagues, and supporters along the way.

"I would like to offer my congratulations to both John and Kathy for their recognition this evening," he said. "It has been an absolute pleasure to serve the students, parents, and the teachers of the Niagara Catholic District School Board and I am humbled (by) and grateful (for) the words of kindness and gratitude that I have received in the process of being nominated for this prestigious award. Looking back, I didn't always make friends, but as most of you know, my mission was constantly clear: to promote traditional Catholic values, to support students and teachers, and to protect our Catholic faith from those that threatened its very existence. I find it heartwarming that at the twilight of my life, in the company of family and friends, I am able to impart a word of thanks. I have had a rich life and my gratitude runs deep."

Thanks to the organizing team who created an evening filled with faith, friendship, and excellent food, and to the many businesses in Niagara who supported the Foundation through their generous donations.