Miscellaneous

St. Gregory the Great: Pontifical Orders of Knighthood

Three Parishioners of Sacred Heart Parish have been honoured with the title “Knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great”: Gregory A. Hogan in 1962, Raymond Wyrzykowski in 1978, and Joseph Pace in 1986.

The Knighthood was established by Pope Gregory XVI in 1831 to “honour citizens who are distinguished for personal character and reputation”.  The order has both civil and military divisions and its membership depends on the Pope.

Gregory A. Hogan, KSG was honoured for his many contributions.  He served on the Separate School Board 1951-1952.  He was also active in the community serving on the Parks and Recreation Board for the City of Sarnia, serving on Sarnia City Council and S. Joseph’ Hospital Board and the wider Catholic Community.

Raymond Wyrzykowski, KSG, was honoured for his many contributions which included secular organizations e.g., Lion’s Club, Legal Aid and Children’s Aid.  He was an active member in the London Diocese, became an original member of the Bishop’s Advisory Board, and remained a member until his death. On a Parish level he was involved in many aspects of parish life including as a Lay Catechist at R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) from its inception until his untimely death in 1989.
Together with John Barnfield he established Rayjon Share Care which worked primarily in Haiti.  They organized awareness experiences for young adults, work experience groups, and working with Haitians, fostering education, marketing skills, and health clinics. 

Joseph Pace, KSG came to Sacred Heart Parish in 1968 when he became Superintendent of the Sarnia Separate School Board and worked tirelessly within the system.  Due to Provincial funding Grades 11, 12 and 13 were not funded.  He and many others initiated fundraising opportunities to augment the lack of funding, which reduced the cost of school fees paid by the parents of students who were in the upper three grades at St. Patrick’s.  He also initiated Junior Kindergarten, Music programs, and emphasized the need for Physical Education which enriched the lives of so many young people.