Knights of Columbus announce Fr. Maher scholarship winners

Submitted by Sam Genovese
DOTHAN — Winners of the Knights of Columbus scholarship essay contest received awards Aug. 8 following the Lifeteen Mass at St. Columba Parish in Dothan.
Recent high school graduates Daniel Burque, Samantha McCormick, Emily Pologruto, Juan Rostro and Andrea Sanchez each received a check for their future education from Grand Knight Bill Clements. Fr. Jim Dane offered his congratulations. 
Contest entrants were required to submit a 750-1,000 word essay that answered three questions 1) Who am I? —my background, talents and interests; 2) Where will I be in five years? —my dreams, education and plans for the future; 3) How does my faith shape my goals?  
A review committee read the submitted essays and determined the winners. Awards were funded by the estate of the late Fr. Patrick Maher, who was devoted to the youth of the Church.
Fr. Maher was born in Ireland in 1927. Following his ordination as a Catholic priest in 1953, he emigrated to the Diocese of Birmingham. In his many years as priest and pastor throughout the Archdiocese of Mobile, he was loved and appreciated by the people he served. In 2010 he retired at the age of 83 to live in residence at St. Columba Parish in Dothan. 
He passed away in 2017. Fr. Maher is remembered for his constant reminder of God’s unconditional love and his saying, “God is madly in love with you!”