NEW YORK — The friars of St. Francis of Assisi Church awarded the Province’s Francis Medal last month to the president of two Westchester County, N.Y., radio stations, who has been a generous benefactor of the parish.
The medal was presented to William O’Shaughnessy on Oct. 6, the same day a new outdoor statue of Jesus, funded by O’Shaughnessy, was blessed. O’Shaughnessy is president and CEO of Whitney Radio, parent company of WVOX in New Rochelle, and WVIP in Mt. Kisco, and a national advocate for free speech issues and broadcasters’ rights.
O’Shaugnessy provided funding so the church could purchase a new statue of a begging Jesus that was placed in front of the West 31st Street church in June. Michael Carnavale, OFM, blessed the statue after the 11 a.m. Masson Oct. 6. Michael was instrumental in arranging for the statue.
Holy Name Province’s Francis Medal was established in 1998 by then-Provincial Minister John Felice, OFM. Recipients are laypeople who have displayed an uncommon contribution to the advancement of the values and ideals of St. Francis.
— Wendy Healy, a Connecticut-based freelance writer, is a frequent contributor to HNP Today.