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June
20, 2005 
VOL.
43, NO. 12Oakland,
CA
Diocese honors two with Medal of Merit
Two longtime East Bay parish and community activists
— Mary Louise Lynch of Christ the King Parish in Pleasant Hill and
Bea Taus of St. Joseph Parish in Fremont — received the Diocesan
Medal of Merit at Catholic Charities of the East Bay’s 70th anniversary
gala last month.
Lynch, a founding member of Christ the King Parish, was part of the “tent
people” there when Masses were held in a temporary canvas structure
for two years while the church was being built.
She helped start the Christ the King Women’s club, participated
in the original parish committee to fundraise and build the parish school,
volunteered in the school for 14 years, and helped to fund a scholarship
program which subsidizes tuition for needy families.
In 1963, when Oakland became its own diocese and established Catholic
Charities, Lynch joined the Padua Unit of Catholic Charities’ Auxiliary.
Over the next few years, she served in many volunteer capacities there.
In 1982, Catholic Charities hired her in its development department where
she worked for the next 22 years.
Lynch is also well-known for her community activism. She marched in the
first anti-Vietnam War rally in 1968 and helped support the first black
family in the City of Pleasant Hill over strong community objections.
Taus, a long-time member of St. Joseph Parish in Fremont, was a founding
member of the parish women’s club and has served as its president.
She manages St. Joseph’s Hospitality Sundays, where parishioners
meet after Mass to socialize.
Several years ago, she started a monthly parish newsletter to help parishioners
keep connected to activities, events and people in the parish.
She helped establish the Diocesan Stewardship Council, promoting stewardship
as the way Catholics can contribute their time, talents and treasures
to church and community. At St. Joseph’s she initiated “steward
of the month,” highlighting a parishioner in the parish bulletin.
She and her husband, Herb, are long-time supporters of Catholic Charities
of the East Bay.
An active diocesan supporter, Taus has hosted informational dinners about
the new Cathedral of Christ the Light. She is also a member of Legatus,
an organization for Catholic business people.
Before moving to the East Bay many years ago, Taus developed a Catholic
school arts program in Philadelphia, making it possible for Catholic school
students to tour local museums.
Mary-Louise
Lynch
Bea
Taus
