Southington UNICO Announces Gold Medal Award Recipient

Southington UNICO announces that Sister Marie Rose Roccapriore, M.P.F., is the 2016 Gold Medal of Honor recipient, the organization’s most prestigious honor.
Called one of Southington’s secret treasures, Sister Marie is truly the epitome of UNICO’s creed of “service above self.” Her apostolate is at St. Thomas Parish, where she has served for nearly two decades. As part of her own personal ministry, Sister Marie has committed to the sick and elderly and created many special outreach programs and initiatives that help care for and nurture those in hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
“It is important to reach out, especially to the sick and elderly,” said Sister Marie. “We are all called by God to serve one another.”
A love of music (she sings and plays the piano) and an observation by her mother brought about the beloved Spirit Joy Children’s Music Ministry. Sister Marie explained that while caring for her homebound mother, the two women noted that many televised religious broadcasts were remiss of children. As such, Sister Marie founded Spirit Joy, which allows youth to reach out to the sick and elderly via music.
Sister Marie writes all of the songs performed by the 30-member group and directs the children in their prayer-filled music. Monthly performances take place at area hospitals, health care and assisted living facilities, such as The Summit at Plantsville.
“The children learn the songs and sing to the elderly,” explained Sister Marie.
As an added touch, Sister Marie employed the talent of internationally renowned performer Jose Feliciano, with whom she’s enjoyed a 20-year friendship. To date, Sister Marie has produced in affiliation with Feliciano Productions two CDs and a DVD of Spirit Joy’s music. Feliciano also provided the musical accompaniment for each of the productions.
Sister Marie also founded the Lap Blanket Prayer Ministry, which distributes hand-knitted blankets to those in area hospitals and nursing homes. With 20 women currently involved in the group, Sister Marie maintains that more than 1,000 lap blankets have been created to ensure that the recipient “feel God’s healing warmth.”
Her enduring dedication to the sick and elderly is also embodied in two books she authored: Moments in the Spirit and Anointing of the Sick and the Elderly. She holds degrees from Villa Walsh College, Notre Dame of Maryland University, LaSalle University and Hartford Seminary. As a lifelong educator, Sister Marie has taught elementary school in several states and is currently the Director of Religious Education for St. Thomas Parish. She is a member of the Religious Teachers Filippini Community, Villa Walsh.
“UNICO’s Gold Medal of Honor is the ultimate form of recognition as it signifies that the recipient has followed a path in life that models the ideals of UNICO, namely ‘service above self,’” said Selection Committee Chairman Mark J. Sciota. “Sister Marie has dedicated her life to others and her heartfelt contributions to our community and others are truly admirable.”
Southington UNICO has awarded the Gold Medal to a distinguished citizen in the community annually since 1945. The 2015 recipient was Mike Fasulo. Past recipients include Joseph LaPorte, Ralph Mann, William DellaVecchia, Andrew Meade, Gail DePaolo, Helen Henne and Christopher Palmieri.
The three goals of Southington UNICO are service to fellow man and community, to foster and promote Italian heritage and to promote and support charitable educational projects.
Southington UNICO annually distributes about $30,000 to national and local charities, such as the Unified Sports and Theater program at SHS, Southington Community Services and many more community initiatives.
The 2016 Gold Medal Award Dinner is scheduled for Wednesday, May 18, at 6 p.m. at the Aqua Turf Club.