The Catholic Men’s Luncheon Club has selected Henry Szabo of Hilliard St. Brendan the Navigator Church as the 2024 diocesan Catholic Man of the Year.
Bishop Earl Fernandes will present Szabo with the award at the club’s meeting on Friday, Feb. 2 after the 11:45 a.m. Mass at Columbus St. Patrick Church, 280 N. Grant Ave. A $15 donation is required to cover the cost of the luncheon.
Szabo, 71, an instituted member of the ministry of acolyte, serves as sacristan at his parish, assisting at nearly all of its 17 weekly Masses as well as funeral Masses. He also trains altar servers and masters of ceremonies and is an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist, lector and usher at the parish and a volunteer at the Hilliard food pantry.
Szabo is a retired employee of the OhioHealth System information technology department. He and his wife, Kelly, have two children.
In his nomination letter, parishioner Kevin Quinn wrote, “I have been a St. Brendan parishioner for 35 years and I have not known or seen a layman more committed to his parish and his God,” performing his duties “in a very quiet and humble way, never seeking recognition himself. He is truly a good and faithful servant of Jesus Christ.”
In a testimonial letter accompanying the nomination, Father Jacob Stinnett, parochial vicar at St. Brendan, cited Szabo’s “service, humility and devotion to Our Lady.”
“He keeps to a high standard out of respect for and love of the sacred liturgy,” Father Stinnett wrote. “He never draws attention to himself, never seeks any praise. When people thank him for all that he does, he simply gives it back to God, from Whom he receives the energy and presence to do all that he does. …
“The only person I feel sorry for in Henry Szabo’s life is his wife, only because I feel that I spend more time with Henry each week than she does.”
A testimonial from Deacon Doug Yglesias said many parishioners refer to Szabo “as the man who is always at the church. … He seems to be ever-present, making sure the Mass goes off without a hitch and gives glory to God. …
“During COVID, I had the chance to sit down with Henry and I was able to ask him why he does what he does. He simply and modestly shared that ‘He sees the need and fills the need,’” Deacon Yglesias wrote.
Deacon James Morris’ testimonial said, “Henry’s dedication is very impressive. … Henry is a devoted Catholic of great faith and an inspiration to all of our parish. … He is a good man who handles his duties with skill and humor.”
Szabo was chosen from nominees for the Catholic Man of the Year award by representatives from the Catholic Men’s Luncheon Club, Young Catholic Professionals, the Catholic Men’s Ministry, the Knights of Columbus and the Serra Club.
The club established the honor in 1957, awarding it to John Igoe of Columbus St. Agatha Church, and presented it every year through 2020. No 2021 award was presented because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2023 recipient was Dr. Eric Yang of Columbus St. Peter Church.