ROCKFORD—A Catholic family and a Boylan student were honored at the annual January Life Breakfast on Jan. 15 sponsored by the International Organization for the Family (IOF).

 

The White Rose Award was presented by Dr. Allan Carlson of IOF to Alexandra Honkamp, 17, a junior at Rockford’s Boylan Central Catholic High School. 

 

The St. Bernadette, Rockford, parishioner was honored for her service on behalf of life that includes three years of participation in the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., and being a member of the Pro-Life Club at Boylan. 

 

She also leads retreats and attends as many youth group faith activities as possible.

 

Holy Family parishioner Brian Vogrinc accepted the Family Heritage Award, which honored him and his wife, Mary, who died Dec. 1, 2019.

 

Three of the couple’s five sons (two adopted) were present along with spouses and several of Brian and Mary’s grandchildren. 

 

During the first 20 years after their 1979 marriage, Brian and Mary opened their lives to 54 foster children. 

 

The couple was active at Holy Family Parish in Rockford in several capacities, including education and evangelization. 

 

Mary was on the parish staff for a time and helped found the parish’s Elizabeth Ministries program. She was known beyond parish borders for her inspiring and faith-filled talks to groups and parishes across the U.S.

 

Featured speaker at the breakfast was Rev. Jonathan Fisk, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Rockford. 

 

His talk emphasized a pro-lifer’s need to mourn the current culture and its actions as well as to work and pray on behalf of the lives of the unborn and of the unbelieving society that surrounds us.