St Rose of Lima School announced First Selectman Pat Llodra will be the 2017 honoree of the Monsignor Robert E. Weiss Hands & Hearts in the Community award for service. It will hold its second annual celebration to honor a member for service to the community on May 5, at 6:30 pm, at The Amber Room Colonnade in Danbury.stroseschool.com. For more information on tickets and the event call the school at 203-426-5102, extension 16. Tickets will be available for purchase until sold out.

The Hands & Hearts in the Community celebration was first held last year to celebrate community service and raise money for the school's tuition assistance fund, which helps students who cannot afford to attend the school receive a Catholic education. Funds raised through ticket sales and donations will go to the school's tuition assistance fund again this year.

Tickets for this year's event will be available to purchase online at the school's website,

Last year a committee chose Monsignor Robert Weiss, senior pastor of St Rose of Lima Church, to be the inaugural honoree and the award was named for him at the first celebration.

Msgr Weiss served on the committee to choose Mrs Llodra as this year's awardee.

"It was an easy decision to choose [Mrs Llodra] for this award based on her service to the community and to our community and parish," said Msgr Weiss recently.

He added that Mrs Llodra demonstrates what the award represents.

Mrs Llodra said she was first approached about the award about two months ago. She accepted the honor based on her passion for education and appreciation for everything the school is trying to celebrate with the event and award, she said.

It is humbling to receive an award from her community, Mrs Llodra said, adding, "I'm very honored, always, to be thought of so well." It is particularly touching, she said, to be honored by her friends, neighbors, colleagues, and community members. Mrs Llodra said she has been a member of the St Rose of Lima parish with her husband, Bob Llodra, since 1971.

"I honor and value what the church and the school are trying to achieve [with the award]," said Mrs Llodra, adding the award and event highlight community service and being the kind of person who works to elevate others and the common good.

St Rose of Lima School Principal Sister Colleen Therese Smith said 12 people are serving on a committee to oversee the celebration this year and four people served on the committee to select Mrs Llodra for the award.

Last year's event, Sr Colleen said, was a special "coming together" of the full community. She said she experienced an overwhelming energy of support and unity at the event.

St Rose of Lima School Director of Mission Advancement Paula Spellman said the Hands & Hearts in the Community celebration highlights the school's mission and focus on community service.

The event, Ms Spellman said, was designed to highlight members of the community students can look to as an example.

Sr Colleen said she met Mrs Llodra soon after coming to Newtown to serve as the principal at St Rose of Lima School.

"I was immediately impressed... What first came to mind was what a truly service-minded person she is."

Sr Colleen also shared she was impressed by Mrs Llodra's leadership, both when faced with difficulty and continued leadership through hope and resiliency. The committee, Sr Colleen added, felt the time was right to honor Mrs Llodra for her service to the people of Newtown.