A local woman received a special medal celebrating her dedication and services at Transfiguration of the Lord Parish at Saint Mary Church.
Margaret Smith, 73, was awarded the Marian Medal on Dec. 2 at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in Fall River. The medal, created in 1968, is given to parishioners for their dedicated service to the Catholic Church.
Smith was one of 63 members from Bristol County nominated by pastors to receive the medal, which was blessed and presented by Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha; S.D.V. Cunha congratulated the members and said they earned the accolade.
“For sharing your time, you have been prominently successful in many ways,” Cunha said. “You are here because you have discovered the beauty, the divine and the joy of serving and of helping others.”
Smith’s served as the president of the church’s women’s guild, worked as an altar and eucharistic server, and taught religious education classes for the Confraternity of the Christian Doctrine.
Smith said her most memorable moment of service was when she helped two young adults make their sacraments and receive their baptisms. Both were members of the church but did not receive baptisms or sacraments when they were children.
“I took it upon myself and taught them at home,” Smith recounted. “Then they had a ceremony where those two were baptized. I was most proud of that act of service.”
When Smith found out she was nominated for the medal, she said she was shocked and never thought she would receive an award for her service. Smith said she was grateful would continue to help the Catholic community in North Attleborough.
“I do truly believe in the impact of service,” Smith said. “You always want to inspire people and that is what it’s all about.”
