London: St Dominic's parishioner awarded Papal medal

Lifelong parishioner Bernard Looney was presented with the Benerementi Medal for his services to the Church, by the Master of the Dominican Order Fr Bruno Cadore, at the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary and Saint Dominic, Haverstock Hill, London recently.

Bernard attended St Dominic's school and later studied at St Ignatius College, Stamford Hill. From his earliest years he was an altar server, and later became a Eucharistic Minister at St Dominic's.

He was also a member of the first Catholic Scout troop in the world, which was established at St Dominics.

As he grew up, Bernard joined the Legion of Mary in the 1960s. One of their urgent tasks was to welcome and care for the flood of Irish immigrants as they arrived at Euston Station. Bernard is an active member of the 'Families of Nazareth' which work to encourage Christian family life.

Bernard is married to Margaret Lane from Abbey Feale in the County of Limerick. They have four children and ten grandchildren.

The couple frequently visit the sick and the housebound parishioners.

A professional lighting engineer, Bernard has worked on James Bond films and the TV series 'Fools and Horses' and 'Yes Minister'.

Bernard has a great love of travel and has been involved in the organisation of many parish outings and pilgrimages for many years. Together with Margaret he has visited the Holy Land, Rome, Turin, Fatima, Lourdes, Walsingham and Aylesford.

Julia Forsythe writes: "May I personally thank Bernard and Margaret for their constant attendance and participation in our monthly gatherings in my home where we recite the Rosary and pray for vocations to the Priesthood and religious life.

It was an occasion of great rejoicing when the Eucharistic community assembled on that Sunday morning to witness Mr Looney receive his medal."

The Benemerenti Medal is an honour awarded by the Pope to members of the clergy and laity for service to the Catholic Church. Originally established as an award to soldiers in the Papal Army, the medal was later extended to the clergy and the laity for service to the Church.

The current version of the Benemerenti Medal was designed by Pope Paul VI. The medal is a gold Greek Cross depicting Christ with his hand raised in blessing. On the left arm of the cross is the tiara and crossed keys symbol of the papacy. On the right arm is the coat of arms of the current Pope. The medal is suspended from a yellow and white ribbon, the colours of the Papacy.