Parish honors harvesters of faith

For the ninth year, parishioners and supporters of the Saint Finbar Parish School gathered to bestow the Harvester of Faith Awards at their Harvest Ball fundraiser held at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center this past Friday evening.

This annual event, that raises funds to help the families and children of Saint Finbar Parish School who are in need of tuition assistance, also recognizes individuals who have shown extraordinary leadership, inspiration, motivation, compassion and dedication to the school and the parish community. This year saw Harvester of Faith Awards presented to Kerry Carmody, who serves as the regional chief operating officer of Providence Health and Services and Marge Murphy, the owner of Zimmer's Religious Arts and Gifts, a family-owned-and-operated gift shop that is connected to St. Charles Catholic Church and been serving the community for over 60 years.

“Marge and Kerry are our honorees because they live and breathe our faith through their everyday actions,” said former Burbank Mayor Michael Hastings, who has chaired the Harvest Ball for five of its nine years. “Both of these recipients have chosen career paths that have guided and served many of our friends, families and parishioners over many years.”

Hastings, who also served as the evening’s emcee, lauded his committee consisting of Mary Adney, Maria Alicia Brenes, Mary Greer, Stephanie Jonke, Allison Knowles, Erica Menke, Lucy Platner and Katie Roth for their hard work and dedication. In return, the committee was joined by the entire assemblage in showing their appreciation to Hastings, who during the five years he has served as the event’s chairman, has raised over a quarter-of-a-million dollars.

Notables who enjoyed the evening included Mayor Jess Talamantes and his wife, Sandy, Burbank Unified School District Superintendent Stan Carrizosa and his wife, Nancy, Airport Commissioner Sue Georgino and her husband, Vic, former Mayor Anja Reinke, St. Finbar's pastor, Father Albert Bahhuth and Saint Finbar Parish School Principal Michael Marasco and his wife, Cori.

Others who enjoyed the evening and supported the cause included Kathy Hastings, Kristie Carmody, Lauren and Peter Ciulla, Dave and Pat Augustine, Sister Rose Byrne, David Jonke, Travis Knowles, Bob and Pat Modrzejewski, Mike and Barbara Napolitano, Dan and Virginia Saliba, Nicholas and Rose Marie Tidik, Ollie Vick, Bob, Sandee, Robert, Joan and Jonathan Hastings, Michael and Annette Madden, Kyle Menke, Milton Brenes, Mike Greer and Chris, Rebecca and Sarah Platner.