Rostraver woman receives Catholic Charities humanitarian award
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When Bishop Edward Malesic called to say she was being honored, Barbara Zucconi told him, “I think you have the wrong number. There are so many who are more worthy than me.”
Zucconi of Rostraver Township received the humanitarian award at the Catholic Charities of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Greensburg’s 21st annual Communities of Salt and Light Awards Dinner, held recently at Stratigos Banquet Centre in North Huntingdon. The event recognizes outstanding individuals or groups in the categories of humanitarian, philanthropy and outstanding human service organization.
Zucconi is director of faith formation at St. Anne Parish in Rostraver where she has been a parishioner for more than 40 years.
Along with the Rev. Vincent Gigliotti, pastor, Zucconi accesses the needs of the parish to provide religious education for parents preparing to baptize their babies, children receiving sacraments, youth ministry, adults entering the Catholic Church and adult Bible study.
“I don’t consider it work. I consider it a joy,” said Zucconi. “It’s an honor and a privilege to walk this faith journey with families.”
In addition, Zucconi serves as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, a member of the Fraternity of Christian Mothers, organizer of the Christmas Angel Tree program and prayer shawl ministry, a hospital minister, volunteer coordinator and a Fresh Express volunteer, the latter a program to provide perishable foods to food bank clients.
Zucconi also spoke of the many opportunities she’s had to work on diocesan committees.
“It’s enabled me to work with so many wonderful people in the Greensburg diocese,” she said.
Zucconi and her husband, Homer, have been married 48 years. They have two daughters and two grandchildren.
Malesic presented the awards to Zucconi as well as Dr. Primo and Henna Bautista, Our Lady of Grace Parish in Greensburg, for philanthropy; and Shop With a Cop, Pennsylvania State Police in Greensburg under the leadership of Trooper Stephen Limani for outstanding human service organization.
“It was extremely humbling because Catholic Charities is such an outstanding organization. They minister to so many in need. They give hope to people,” said Zucconi. “I feel I have a lot to do to fulfill this honor.”
Proceeds from the Salt and Light dinner are used to grant temporary emergency financial assistance for food, electricity, water, sewage and heating to the most vulnerable and at-risk residents of the diocese.
The dinner has so far raised more than $1.27 million to help nearly 9,000 individuals in Fayette, Westmoreland, Armstrong and Indiana counties.