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Local residents honoured with Saint Michael Award

October 10, 2024   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

The Archdiocese of Toronto has announced the inaugural recipients of the Saint Michael Award recognizing distinguished and faithful service by members of the Catholic community in the Greater Toronto area.

Alliston residents, Larry and Theresa Keogh, who are members of St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Alliston, have been honoured with this award.

Mr. Keogh is well known locally as a former principal at Banting Memorial High School and as a former Mayor of New Tecumseth.

Larry and Theresa have, for years, been involved in many local community events and contributed greatly to the betterment of the town.

They were awarded the Saint Michael Award for the Northern Pastoral Region.

The Saint Michael Award recognizes distinguished and faithful service by members of the Catholic community in the Greater Toronto area. Each year, awards will be presented to an individual, couple, group or organization nominated by their local pastor.

Nominations, which included letters of support and references, were reviewed by an archdiocesan committee before final recipients were selected.

Saint Michael is the patron saint of the Archdiocese of Toronto.

“What a joy it is to honour these men and women who have so lovingly served our community with great joy, humility and fidelity over so many years. Inspired by their faith, they are a profound witness of the Gospel in action and reflect the face of Jesus in giving so generously of themselves to others,” said the Most Rev. Francis Leo, Metropolitan Archbishop of Toronto.

Larry and Theresa have been married for 68 years, raised six children and rooted their relationship in service inspired by their faith.

Theresa served as parish organist for more than 50 years while also giving generously in numerous roles with the Catholic Women’s League.

Larry has been a Lector, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, Co-ordinator for Building Committees, Maintenance Supervisor, Member of the Pastoral Council, Finance Council, and Capital Projects Assistant.

Before the hiring of a cleaner for St. Paul’s Parish, Larry, Theresa, and family members cleaned the church each week.

In January 1976, when a devastating fire destroyed Knox Presbyterian Church in Alliston, the couple established a community assistance group and rallied volunteers. They were later honoured for their leadership by the mayor. Even in their late 80s and early 90s, Theresa and Larry continue to give generously and are the foundation from which many projects have come to fruition within the parish and local

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