Pope Francis has bestowed Papal Honors upon 45 individuals – including four from Neumann University, all of whom are Delaware County residents – for their dedication and exceptional service to the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia last year and the pastoral visit of the Holy Father.

Among 16 people receiving the Benemerenti Medal are:

• Dr. Rosalie Mirenda, Neumann’s president
• Anthony Mirenda, university ambassador
• Danielle Peyakovich McNichol, university general counsel
• Dr. Mary Beth Yount, assistant professor of pastoral and theological studies

The honors will be formally presented by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput on Thursday, Nov. 17 at a 6:30 PM ceremony at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.

The Benemerenti (to a well-deserved person) Medal was created by Pope Gregory XVI in 1832, and was first awarded to soldiers in the papal army. The medal was later extended to members of the clergy and laity for exceptional service to the Roman Catholic Church.

Dr. Mirenda served on the World Meeting’s board of directors, and coordinated support for the organization from all the Catholic institutions of higher education in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, all with the support and assistance of her husband Tony. The couple lives in Middletown.

Dr. Yount, a Media resident, served as the director of content and programming for the global event that the Roman Catholic Church hosts every three years and for the Papal visit. She was responsible for leading the development of programs and educational sessions for the conference, which drew more than 10,000 participants to the Pennsylvania Convention Center, and in charge of the content and programming for the Festival of Families and other Papal events during that weekend.

McNichol, a Glen Mills resident, served as the WMOF-Philadelphia general counsel and director of human resources. In this role, she provided strategic direction of HR policies for all volunteers, ensured compliance with government regulations, and implemented training programs for the international event. More than 1,500 contracts were executed during the World Meeting of Families.