Local
St. James Society presents annual Cushing Medals
By Pilot Staff
Posted: 10/21/2016
Joseph D'Arrigo, Father Gabriel Troy and Stephen Hughes receive the Cushing award from Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley Oct. 16. Pilot photos/courtesy Bill Brett
DORCHESTER -- Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley presented three people with the St. James Society's Cardinal Cushing Medal for Excellence in Service to Humanity during the 29th annual Cardinal Cushing Award Celebration, Oct. 16.
Held annually at Boston College High School in Dorchester, the award ceremony recognizes individuals for notable philanthropic and humanitarian efforts.
This year's awardees were:
Joseph D'Arrigo -- A member of the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester for 25 years and the executive director of the Archdiocese of Boston's Clergy Health and Retirement Trust, Joseph D'Arrigo has dedicated his life to improving the life for individuals who were in need of his help.
D'Arrigo was also chairman of Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Boston in South Boston, and on the Boards of Directors of the Ron Burton Training Village in Hubbardston, the Police Activities League (PAL) in Roxbury Crossing, Project Bread in East Boston, and St. Anthony's Shrine in Boston.
Father Gabriel Troy -- After being ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston around 50 years ago, Father Gabriel Troy served one year at St. John the Evangelist in Cambridge before spending the next 27 years helping the poor in Peru while in the service of the St. James Society.
During his time in the South American country, Father Troy helped develop many parishes, schools, and medical facilities, as well as a rehabilitation center for young drug addicts.
He returned to Boston after being elected by his fellow priests to become the director of the society, a position he would keep for six years.
Following that, Father Troy was pastor of St. Joseph's in Boston's West End for seven years, and now is the pastor of St. Mary of the Annunciation in Cambridge, where he has served for the last 10 years.
Stephen Hughes -- Hughes is the current principal of Boston College High School, and has been since 2002. A 1973 alumnus of the school, Hughes also taught history and social studies there, coached the football team, served as the athletic director and served as the vice principal.
While teaching, Hughes established the two-year McElroy Scholars Program for incoming freshmen who might have previously been educated in an under-performing environment, might come from a home where English is not a primary language, or might have less available resources than other students.
Since the program was developed in 2001, over 90 percent McElroy Scholars have graduated from BC High.
