Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Palm Beach is proud to announce Cecilia Torrisi, Respect Life Ministry Director at St. Rita Catholic Church in Wellington, as the 2025 recipient of the diocesan Respect Life Ministry Award. This well-deserved recognition celebrates her unwavering commitment, creativity, and tireless leadership in promoting the dignity and sanctity of life from conception to natural death.
Since establishing the Respect Life Ministry at St. Rita in 2022, Cecilia has cultivated a vibrant, service-oriented ministry of almost 20 members that actively engages her parish and the wider community in the pro-life mission of the Catholic Church. Her dedication has been evident from the start—recruiting new members, organizing regular meetings, and crafting a strong ministry identity through the development of a ministry logo, letterhead, posters, and even branded T-shirts to unite and inspire members.
Under her leadership, the ministry has hosted numerous impactful events, including seasonal Pro-Life Baby Showers in Fall 2022, Spring 2023, and Spring 2024. These events collected much-needed baby items for Catholic Charities’ Birthline/Lifeline pregnancy care program, directly supporting local mothers and babies.
Cecilia has also been a powerful advocate for diocesan-wide pro-life activities, promoting participation in 40 Days for Life, Catholic Days at the Capitol, and death warrant vigils. Her ministry has regularly organized rosary prayer events and masses dedicated to the sanctity of life, providing spiritual grounding and community prayer opportunities.
Her efforts to support families in need are evident through two Baby Bottle Fundraising Campaigns in 2023 and 2025, and gift card donations sent to victims of the Hurricane Milton tornadoes in 2024, especially families with small children. She also led the charge in organizing "Walking with Moms in Need" diaper drives in both 2023 and 2024, again benefiting Birthline/Lifeline.
Cecilia’s ministry has embraced education and advocacy as well. In Fall 2024, she helped organize an educational event to encourage voting NO on Florida’s Amendment 4, a ballot initiative threatening protections for the unborn.
Building bridges between communities, the ministry co-sponsored the June 2023 Luncheon for Life alongside neighboring parish Our Lady Queen of Peace, featuring Rachel’s Vineyard, a healing ministry for those affected by abortion. Cecilia also brought warmth and creativity to the parish with crafting parties where members made bookmarks and rosaries distributed during Mother’s and Father’s Day Masses.
Additionally, the ministry launched a “Plants for Life” fundraiser in Fall 2023 and 2024, with proceeds supporting ongoing pro-life efforts. Their generosity also extended to donating items for a baby gift basket auctioned at the 2023 St. Rita Gala, further raising funds and awareness.
Cecilia Torrisi has exemplified what it means to be a servant leader in the pro-life movement—rooted in faith, compassion, and action. Catholic Charities is honored to recognize her outstanding contributions to the Respect Life mission and the lives she has touched throughout the Diocese of Palm Beach.
