The Diocese of Broken Bay has celebrated 40 years as a diocese at a dinner celebration where six Papal awards conferred by Pope Leo XIV, and 26 Diocesan Medals were presented by Archbishop Anthony Randazzo.
One Papal honour included The Pontifical Equestrian Order of Saint Sylvester, Pope and Martyr.
Invested as a Dame of the Order of Saint Sylvester was Ms Anne Duncan for her commitment, leadership, and faith demonstrated by 43 years of service to Catholic education with the Diocese.
Over the course of four decades, Anne has served as a classroom teacher, religious education coordinator, Assistant Principal, Principal and later taking on a leadership role with Catholic Schools Broken Bay. Now enjoying the fruits of retirement, she has guided thousands of students, supported countless families, mentored staff and made a profound contribution to the development and strengthening of Catholic identity and learning across the Diocese.
“This is completely unexpected and I am humbled by this award,” Anne said.
“For my entire working life it has been an absolute pleasure and honour to serve the Church and work with so many students and parents in their faith and educational journey.”
Two members of the clergy were also conferred awards by the Holy Father.
The Croce pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, Coss for the Church and the Pope was instituted by Pope Leo XIII in 1888.
It was awarded to Reverend Henry (Harry) Kennedy and Reverend John Hill for more than 60 years of ministry and distinguished service to the Catholic Church and Pope.
There were four recipients of the Benemerenti Medal, originally instituted by Pope Pius VI and awarded to both clergy and laity in recognition of their service to the Church.
Ms Louise Spencer from the Cathedral parish of Hornsby received the papal honour for 30 years of dedicated service; Mr Brendan Tertini, Mrs Yvonne Corpuz, and Mr Anthony Seeto from the Chatswood parish for personal service over many years in a variety of ministries.
The Diocesan Medal was awarded to 14 parishioners for more than 40 years of service to the Ministry of Special Religious Education and to another 12 parishioners who have faithfully served the Church through a variety of ministries, generously offering their time and talents.
This is the second year of the awards celebration however made even more special this year with the Diocese’s 40th anniversary and one of the last parish events before Archbishop Anthony leaves for the Holy See and his new role as Prefect of the Dicastery for Legislative Texts.
“I acknowledge every recipient here tonight with deep gratitude for their contributions, and I honour their enduring legacy of faithful ministry which continues to inspire and strengthen the mission of the Church in Broken Bay both today and into the future,” Archbishop Anthony said.
“Very soon I will be in Rome but be assured I will carry all the good people of this Diocese in my heart always.”
Full List of Award Winners:
Croce pro Ecclesia et Pontifice
- Reverend Henry Kennedy
- Reverend John Hill
- Confraternity of Christian Doctrine – Diocesan Medal Awards
- Ms Carol Real (The Lakes)
Ms Valerie Donovan (The Lakes)
Ms Frances van Schie (Frenchs Forest)
Ms Carmel Smith (Frenchs Forest)
Ms Rita Biviano (Chatswood)
Ms Therese Adamski (Pymble)
Ms Cecilia Kean (Wahroonga)
Ms Gloria Ann Wiggins (Hornsby)
Ms Maria Sproats (Terrigal)
Ms Therese Gorman (Terrigal)
Ms Barbara McCarthy (Gosford)
Ms Dorothy Fulton (Woy Woy)
- Ms Robyn Nevin (Gosford)
The Diocesan Medal for over 40 years of service to the Ministry of Special Religious Education is also awarded posthumously to Ms Mary Luci who died in April 2025.
- Diocesan Medal
- Mr Bruno Spedaleri, Frenchs Forest – for exceptional service as an Acolyte, as a member of the St Vincent de Paul society as Ecumenical Coordinator and in the ministry of Confraternity of Christian Doctrine and
Ms Melanie Hume, Arcadia – for exceptional service in the ministry of music and liturgy and as a member of the St Vincent de Paul Society,
Mr Geoffry Marland, Wyoming – for exceptional service in the ministry of finance and Confraternity of Christian doctrine
Mrs Norah Marland, Wyoming– for exceptional service in the ministry of sacramental preparation, visitation, and Confraternity of Christian Doctrine
Mr Geoffry Marland and Mrs Norah Marland are unable to be with us this evening. Fr Alex Selarag will accept the award on their behalf.
Mrs Janette Merrotsy, Terrigal – for exceptional service in the ministry of Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Sacramental preparation, parish coordination and administration and as a member of the Parish Pastoral Council and Parish Finance Council.
Mr Dennis Southwell, Terrigal – for exceptional service in the ministry of facilities management, hospitality and visitation.
Mr Brian Bugden, Wyong for exceptional service in the ministries of facilities management, and support for parish celebrations
Mrs Kerry Bugden, Wyong. For exceptional service in the ministry of social justice, administration, liturgy and as a member of the Parish Pastoral Council.
Mr Owen Casey, Kincumber. For exceptional services in the ministry of finance, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, Lenten program and as an Acolyte.
Ms Ann Cartwright, Kincumber for her exceptional service as parish secretary and in the ministry of Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, hospitality and social justice.
Ms Winsome Collingridge, Hornsby for exceptional service in the ministry of music, hospitality and for the establishment of a music scholarship for music students
Ms Edith Collingridge, Hornsby for exceptional service in the ministry of music, hospitality and for the establishment of a music scholarship for music students
- Benemerenti medal
- Mrs Louise Spencer is conferred this award for her contribution to the life of the parish of Hornsby through her decades of faithful and exceptional service.
- For his personal service to the Catholic Church, Mr Brendan Tertini.
For her personal service to the Catholic Church, Mrs Yvonne Corpuz.
For his personal service to the Catholic Church, Mr Anthony Seeto
- The Pontifical Equestrian Order of Saint Sylvester, Pope and Martyr
- Ms Anne Duncan
