Catholic Education Dinner awards Tom Beecher and Sister Johnice
Share
The 25th annual Catholic Education Dinner returned in full force to honor and thank those who support area Catholic schools. On Wednesday, Feb. 5, the fundraiser came back to the Buffalo Convention Center for the first time since Covid stopped the world in 2020. A series of virtual gatherings and lunches took place in recent years.
The Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, organizers of the event, honored Thomas R. Beecher Jr., a founding father of the BISON Fund; and Sister M. Johnice Rzadkiewicz, CSSF, founder of the Response to Love Center, with the 2025 Champion of Catholic Education Award.
Lynn Ortiz (second from left), principal of St. Stephen School on Grand Island, meets with Bishop Michael W. Fisher and Catholic Education Dinner co-chairs Jeff and Jeanne Magavern at the start of the 25th annual Catholic Education Dinner on Feb. 5. (Photo by Patrick J. Buechi) 
Nancy Gugino (left), executive director of the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, and Chris Riso, assistant superintendent of Catholic Schools, present Anita Herr with the Sister Lucille Soccarielli/Father John Sturm Making a Difference Award during the Catholic Education Dinner on Feb. 5. Herr is a math specialist at St. Christopher School in Tonawanda. (Photo b y Patrick J. Buechi) 
Denise Cronyn, principal of St. Christopher School in Tonawanda (left) accepts the Christopher Mazurkiewicz Award from Nancy Gugino, executive director of the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo. The award is presented to the school that exemplifies Christian values, demonstrates strong leadership, and exhibits an exceptional commitment to students with extraordinary financial needs. (Photo by Patrick J. Buechi) 
St. Christopher School in Tonawanda showed their school spirit with a cheer squad performing at the Buffalo Convention Center as part of the 25th annual Catholic Education Dinner on Feb. 5. (Photo by Patrick J. Buechi) 
Notre Dame Academy students displayed their sports trophies and those who won them at the 25th Catholic Education Dinner held at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center on Feb. 5. (Photo by Patrick J. Buechi) 
As part of the 25th Catholic Education Dinner, DeSales Catholic School gave a demonstration of their robitics program. (Photo by Patrick J. Buechi) 
Joe Malfitano, an alumni of the former St. Joseph Elementary School in Niagara Falls, reminisces about the difference his favorite teacher, Jody Slipko, made in his life. Malfitano was just one speaker who spoke about his gratitude for Catholic education at the 25th Catholic Education Dinner. Pictured with him is Anthony Habib, MC for the evening. (Photo by Patrick J. Buechi) 
Nancy Gugino, executive director of the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo congratulates Thomas Beecher as he receives the 2025 Champion of Catholic Education Award at the 25th Catholic Education Dinner on Feb. 5. (Photo by Patrick J. Buechi) 
Quinn Boardman talks about the emotional difference being part of Notre Dame Academy has made in her life. (Photo by Patrick J. Buechi) 
Sister M. Johnice Rzadkiewicz, CSSF, speaks thanks those who support the Response to Love Center’s educational programs. (Photo by Patrick J. Buechi)
Proceeds from this event are used to help support not only Catholic schools, but also the families of children attending those schools through grants and tuition assistance.
Jeanne and Jeff Magavern, chairs of this year’s event, thanked the 640 guests in attendance for their support.
“It’s amazing to think we’ve been doing this for 25 years,” said Jeff Magavern. “The students from our first dinner are now graduating college and starting their own families. Your support tonight helps students grow, learn and live with purpose as they journey through life.”
Bishop Michael W. Fisher offered his heartfelt gratitude to all of the educators in the diocese.
“You have done nothing short of a sacred calling, continuing the proud legacy of this diocese, educating our young people in the context of Christian Catholic faith, invigorating their lives and experiences not only with necessary academic disciplines, but with the richness of our Catholic faith and identity, our Catholic faith and traditions that will further equip them to discern and make choices about their life’s direction and true purpose,” he said.
Bishop Fisher introduced Beecher as a lawyer, teacher and dedicated mentor.
As a founding father of the BISON Fund, Beecher has played a pivotal role in ensuring that children from all backgrounds have access to a quality Catholic education, making a lasting impact on future generations. He has also helped raise millions for those in need as chair for the Catholic Charities Appeal and the Upon This Rock Capital Campaign. The BISON Fund, started 30 years ago with Paul Bauer and Chris Jacobs, has given $30 million to Catholic Schools.
“I’m not in favor of getting awards honestly,” Beecher said before stepping on stage, “but I’m here to challenge the people who are here to do even more for Catholic education. Everybody here is dedicated to it. They’ve worked hard. This is a heavy lift. We need to do more.”
He suggested everyone who cares for Catholic education write another check and help out the schools they love.
A lifelong advocate for service and education, Sister Johnice has dedicated her life to uplifting those in need and empowering future generations through her work at Buffalo’s Response to Love Center.
“Her passion for helping the poor is rooted in her belief that education, particularly Catholic education, fosters hope, community and opportunity,” Bishop Fisher said while introducing the Felician sister.
The Response to Love Center offers English as a Second Language and high school equivalency classes. Students take part in all facets of the center’s service ministries.
“I feel very humbled about (the award). I feel the people who are supposed to receive the award are the principals and the teachers because they are the face of Jesus and they are the ones that promote Catholic education,” Sister Johnice said.
Her motivation comes from seeing a need in the community for solid education.
“I think education is so very important. It sets the lifestyle for people. People need to learn how to read. They need to learn how to write. They especially need the English language. People are going for jobs right now. They need to know how to speak. Other adults who have not received their high school equivalency; it’s very important. After they get their high school equivalency, we send them out to colleges and universities and they get jobs in the community.”
Lynn Ortiz, principal of St. Stephen School on Grand Island received the Distinguished Principal Award.
“Lynn demonstrates being a lead learner,” explained Julie Gajewski, assistant superintendent of academics for the diocese. “When we’re looking for principals, we want them to be role models in Catholic Education committed to their faith, committed to their parish, really leading that charge of being that example for all of our teachers and students. Lynn is very committed to her faith. She attends Mass daily. She’s very involved in parish life. She also helps to develop future leaders, so she has empowered her assistant principal and given her many opportunities to grow and lead in the school alongside her.”
Ortiz has expanded the school’s universal prekindergarten and maintains science-based outdoor learning initiatives.
“It’s quite an honor. It’s not a place I thought I would be,” said Ortiz, who was also named Educator of the Year by the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce in 2011. “I am very thankful, and I am very thankful to the people who helped me get here.”
Anita Herr from St. Christopher School in Tonawanda received the Sister Lucille Soccarielli/Father John Sturm Making a Difference Award founded by television journalist Tim Russert, who knew behind every successful student was an equally dedicated teacher.
The award recognizes a teacher who demonstrates strong faith, commitment to Catholic education, involvement in parish life of the school, and commitment to forming disciples.
“Anita has been very involved in her parish for the past several years as well as a teacher leader,” said Gajewski. “She has led professional development. She’s always developing herself. She has a wonderful math program at St. Christopher’s. She has been an exemplary role model for not only our students, but teachers as well.”
Other awardees include: Karen Green, principal of the St. Joseph Regional School in Batavia, Lighting the Fire Award; Denise Cronyn, principal at the St. Christopher School, the Christopher Mazurkiewicz Award; Quinn Boardman, an eighth grader at Notre Dame Academy, The Tim Russert Creative Scholarship Award; Grace Modzelewski, a seventh grader at St. John Vianney School in Orchard Park, the Natalie Mattimore Lewis Kindness Counts Character Award; Mia Sidebottom, third grader at St. Gregory the Great School, the Joseph S. Fanara Scholarship Music Award.
