Friday, October 19 was a blessed celebration for St. Edmund's Retreat, as 200 members of the Enders Island family gathered to recognize lives filled with grace and virtue - and acknowledge lives which reflect the legacy of our patron, St. Edmund, Archbishop of Canterbury, at the 2007 St. Edmund's Medal of Honor Dinner.

The St. Edmund's Medal, which began in 2004, is presented each year in order to recognize exemplary service to Church and community. Led by Chairman John J. Foley, the medals are awarded by the St. Edmund's Retreat Board of Trustees, and this year were bestowed to Jed Gibbons of Chicago, Illinois; Jim and Janet Sullivan of Westerly, RI; Steve and Kathy Doocy of Wyckoff, New Jersey, and Chad McEachern of Madison, Wisconsin.

Returning first to our roots of Faith, the celebration began with Mass at Enders Island in the cherished Our Lady of the Assumption Chapel, beautified by the songs of our musicians and the honor of a homily offered by The Most Rev. Michael Cote who served as Principal Celebrant. Honorees and guests next gathered at Lake of Isles Resort to enjoy the trimmings and fellowship of an elegant evening, satiating dinner, and remarks reflecting the heart and story of St. Edmund's Retreat and its mission.

Among the special additions to the Medal of Honor Dinner this year was the Board presentation of the St. Edmund's Honor Scholarship, established in honor of St. Edmund Archbishop of Canterbury and in memory of the members of the Society of St. Edmund who served as faculty and staff members at St. Bernard School. The endowed scholarship, which will now be presented each year at the Medal of Honor event, is awarded to a first semester senior of St. Bernard School who has shown, academically and through service the virtues which St. Edmund heroically manifested in his life.

Patrick Lowery, St. Bernard's Class of 2008 is our inaugural recipient of this scholarship and we were grateful for his presence with his family, church, and school. St. Bernard School Headmaster, William McKenna, was keynote speaker for the evening and proud of Patrick and the personal character, service and faith already embodied by his student of excellence.

Following the blessing and bestowing of the sacred Medals to their recipients, Fr. Thomas Hoar SSE, Ph.D., President of St. Edmund's Retreat, presented the Icon of St. Raphael, Patron of Healing, to The Most Reverend Robert Morlino, Bishop of Madison, Wisconsin. Bishop Morlino honored us with his presence in celebration of Chad McEachern, former St. Edmund's Retreat Executive Director and a 2007 Medal recipient. The icon was commissioned by St. Edmund's Retreat when the Diocese of Madison's Cathedral of St. Raphael was destroyed by fire. Bishop Morlino, the Dioceseof Madison, and the Family of St. Edmund's Retreat have found one another by God's grace in a new relationship which bears healing and love among us.

We wish to thank all who contributed to this important event, and for all of the ways that your goodness truly covers the work of our mission throughout the year. Special thanks to our Head Table Sponsors, Jay and Nita Foley, to our Tribute Sponsor, the Diocese of Providence, RI, and to our leading sponsors, the Diocese of Madison, Wisconsin, Mike and Carol Toner, Steve and Patty Coan, Angela Kanabis and the Kanabis Family, and Majestic Jewelry.

Our St. Edmund's Medal Recipients Jed Gibbons, Jim and Janet Sullivan, Steve and Kathy Doocy, and Chad McEachern touch peoples' lives in innumerable ways. As recognized leaders in their communities, they have sought to use their abilities for a common good. While developing their own "personal holiness", they have created opportunities for others to do so. Our St. Edmund's Medal recipients have done this with the same spirit that Edmund's life reflected - living the Word of God.