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RICHARD MARTEL: ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC MAN OF THE YEAR

THE PARISHIONER AT ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON CHURCH IS CITED FOR HIS LEADERSHIP ROLES

By Staff     4/6/2015

GARDEN GROVE — Richard David Martel, the founding president of the St. Vincent de Paul conferences at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Irvine, was named St. Joseph Catholic Man of the Year at St. Joseph Radio’s 11th annual awards dinner March 21 at the Wyndham Hotel and Resort.

Martel was chosen out of a field of 14 nominees from throughout the Diocese of Orange. Bishop Kevin Vann presented the award before an audience of more than 200.

Martel, who is in charge of home visits for his parish, is an officer for his local chapter of the Knights of Columbus and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. As a member of his parish council, he organized a fundraising dinner for youth scholarships.

Father Thomas Nelson, O.Praem., speaking of the nominees at the event, said that they “reflect in an exemplary way the virtues of St. Joseph, virtues every man and father must practice in his family and in society, namely to be a leader among men and a provider and protector of life.”