Sisters present 2009 St. Francis and St. Clare awards

Victor Ciancetta and Bonnie Brieschke

The gala begins at 4 p.m. with a liturgy in Queen of Peace Chapel on the grounds of the motherhouse in Sylvania, and a reception, dinner and silent auction begin at 5 p.m. in the Franciscan Center.

The evening culminates with a presentation of Franciscan joy in song by the Sisters of St. Francis, led by Sylvania Franciscan Sister Ann Carmen Barone.

Two individuals will also be honored for their unique and exemplary contributions to society and for modeling Franciscan values in their everyday lives. Victor C. Ciancetta of Steubenville is to receive the St. Francis Award and Bonnie Brieschke, owner of Brieschke Bakery in Sylvania, is to receive the St. Clare Award.

Mr. Ciancetta, a retired architectural designer, has been involved with the Sylvania Franciscans for more than 60 years, working on projects for Gill Memorial Hospital, St. Johns Hospital and Trinity Health Systems in Steubenville. His long and generous association with the sisters began in 1947 when he helped then Gill Memorial Hospital administrator Sister Agatha Glowczak learn how to read blueprints for a building restoration project.

In addition to his work with the Sisters of St. Francis, he has been involved with the Steubenville Lions Club, Knights of Columbus, Ohio State University, St. Anthony Church and numerous professional associations.

Ms. Brieschke made her mark in the community through her tireless efforts to help those in need. She organized the shipment of truckloads of supplies for the victims, families and workers affected by the Sept. 11 attack in New York City and collected clothing for two children who lost their parents. She shops for groceries every week for a blind couple in the area, helped raise money to build a house for a local wounded Iraqi War veteran and prepares dinner once a week for a family whose husband and father has pancreatic cancer.

A mother of three sons, she is actively involved with her parish, Sylvania St. Joseph, as a eucharistic minister and is active on the liturgy committee. She helps collect food for two local pantries and provides baked goods to Toledo Our Lady of Lourdes soup kitchen and the Rosary Care Center for elderly women and men religious.

For information about the gala, contact Mary Steinmetz at 419-824-3624.