Sister Angelita Zawada (left) presented Rita and Peter Carfagna (center)  with the 2010 Merici Award May 1 at Ursuline Derby Day, a Kentucky Derby Party to benefit the Ursuline  Mission & Sisters.  Peter's sister, Rosemarie Carfagna (right), is a member of the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland. The Merici Award recognizes those who live and act in the spirit of our Ursuline foundress, Saint Angela Merici.

More than 260 friends and supporters reveled in the fun of the Kentucky Derby as the Ursuline Sisters honored Peter and Rita Carfagna with the congregation's 2010 Merici Award. The Carfagnas received the award in recognition of their longstanding support of the Ursuline Mission and Sisters. Peter credits the Ursuline Sisters for educating the most important women in his life, including his wife, Rita, and his mother, along with his sister, Rosemarie, who is a member of our Ursuline congregation. He also notes the rich spirituality--much borne out of the Ursulines' influence--in his and his family member's lives.