Archdiocese of Baltimore announces Medal of Honor recipients
Responders to Francis Scott Key Bridge tragedy among honorees
For Immediate Release:
March 21, 2025
Contact: Yvonne Wenger
Director of Public Relations
443-955-8399
yvonne.wenger@archbalt.org
BALTIMORE, MD (March 21, 2025) – Archbishop William E. Lori will confer the distinguished Medal of Honor on 11 missionary disciples in the Archdiocese of Baltimore for their service and ministry – including outreach and support to those impacted by the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
The Rev. Ako Walker and Andrew Middleton will receive the Service Medal for their urgent actions in the aftermath of the disaster that killed six construction workers, upended livelihoods tied to the Port of Baltimore and stranded the crew of the containership Dali after its collision with one of the bridge pilings. Other honorees include a Catholic educator who spent 44 years in urban schools; the founder of a ministry that has served thousands of immigrants, migrants and refugees; and a human rights advocate who supports victims of human trafficking.
Archbishop Lori said the Medals are a chance to give thanks for the incredible difference the honorees have made in the lives of their neighbors.
“The honorees are agents of positive change, each nourishing one or more of the five pillars of our Archdiocesan mission: education, evangelization, liturgy, service and stewardship,” the Archbishop said. “Through their individual ministries, they have shown us some of the incredible ways the Church is alive and at work right here in the Archdiocese of Baltimore.”
The Medals of Honor will be presented at a private reception. The honorees will also be recognized in May at the Archdiocesan “Shine the Light Gala” that raises money for Catholic education.
More than 100 nominations were submitted to recognize a diverse group of people from across the Archdiocese that spans nine counties and Baltimore City. The nominations opened in December and were reviewed by an internal committee that recommended finalists to Archbishop Lori for his consideration.
Medal of Honor categories were developed to align with the Archbishop’s pastoral letter, A Light Brightly Visible 2.0. They recognize contributions in education, evangelization, liturgy, service and stewardship.
Walker and Middleton will receive the Service Medal for their efforts to stand in solidarity with underserved and underrepresented communities of faith. Paula Maria Gentile will also receive the Service Medal for her efforts to combat human trafficking.
Walker, a Redemptorist priest, is the pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus in Baltimore’s Highlandtown neighborhood that offers a spiritual home for many Latino immigrants – including friends and loved ones of the six workers who were killed in the bridge collapse. He organized a candlelight vigil that drew hundreds in the days after the tragedy, offered pastoral care to the families of the workers who died and helped to support others whose jobs were affected by the port closure.
Middleton, director of the Apostleship of the Seas, responded within hours of the Key Bridge collapse to offer support to the Dali crew whose “mayday” signal allowed officials to act rapidly to close the bridge to traffic. The ministry Middleton leads offers welcome and provides safe haven to seafarers.
Gentile, a longtime parishioner of Our Lady of the Chesapeake in Pasadena, is a devoted advocate for survivors of human trafficking and works to raise awareness to prevent future victims. Since retirement from a career in special education, she has served on task forces, worked with law enforcement and facilitated an exchange of information and resources.
Kathleen Filippelli will receive the Education Medal. Filippelli retired in 2021 as principal of Holy Angels Catholic School after 44 years working as a teacher and administrator in Catholic schools in Baltimore and Philadelphia. She continues to be an active supporter of the Archdiocese’s Partners in Excellence Scholarship Program and the Women’s Educational Alliance that supports children in Baltimore City.
Tamara Beigel will receive the Catholic Social Ministry Medal for innovation and entrepreneurship that furthers the pursuit of justice. As the founder of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Ministry at St. Mary’s in Annapolis, she has provided advocacy and service to thousands of immigrants, migrants and refugees, accompanying them to court dates and medical appointments, reuniting families and activating a volunteer network to help meet the urgent need for housing, material resources and legal aid.
The Rev. Erik Arnold will receive the Evangelization and Liturgy Medal. As pastor of St. John the Evangelist in Severna Park for more than five years, Father Arnold exemplifies what it means to build a vibrant faith community. Under his leadership, St. John is home to more than 2,000 families and numerous ministries that reach members of the faith community at all ages and stages of life.
Mario Jerónimo will receive the Evangelization Medal. A parishioner at Sacred Heart in Glyndon for almost 20 years, Jerónimo is an active catechist who has held leadership roles in Hispanic ministry and offers popular Sunday morning social media commentaries on the Gospel.
Ike and Uju Okwesili will receive the Stewardship Medal. A couple whose sincere and generous charity truly bears witness to Christ, the Okwesilis have been parishioners at Holy Family in Randallstown for more than 25 years. They have served on various councils and committees for the church and Archdiocese. As leaders of the Nigerian Igbo Catholic Community, they have served as godparents to many children and provide a welcome to new Americans.
In recognition of the Jubilee Year of Hope, Tucker J. DeVack and Olivia Isabella Rotella, both high school students and fellow parishioners at St. Mark in Fallston, will be honored for their ministry and outreach to young adults. DeVack shares his faith through social media, video production and podcasting. He is also involved with a student Bible study and mentors his peers through St. Mark’s youth ministry. Rotella has shared her faith with young people through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She is also a peer minister at her church and an active volunteer who has worked with many organizations, including Vacation Bible School, Our Daily Bread and the Maryland Food Bank.
For more information on the Archdiocesan Gala or the Medals of Honor, visit our website https://www.archbalt.org/medals-of-honor/.