As faculty and staff await the opening of the 101st NCEA convention, a group of administrators and teachers from across the archdiocese has been working tirelessly for several months in order to assure a great experience for participants both at the convention and in Boston.

Principal celebrants of the daily convention liturgies, all of which will be celebrated at the Hynes Convention Center, will be: Archbishop of Boston Seán P. O’Malley, OFM Cap., on Tuesday, April 13, 11:15 a.m.; Boston Auxiliary Bishop Richard G. Lennon on Wednesday, April 14, 4:45 p.m.; Bishop of Portland, Maine, Richard J. Malone on Thursday, April 15, 4:45 p.m.; and Father J. Bryan Hehir on Friday, April 16, 7:30 a.m.

Each year, outstanding contributors in various fields of Catholic education are recognized with awards. Among those given this year at the conclusion of the NCEA’s centennial celebrations are:

William H. Sadlier Catholic Identity Award: Sister Prescille Malo, SCO, principal, St. Jeanne d’Arc School, Lowell.

William H. Sadlier Sister Rose Anita McConnell, IHM, Award: Mrs. Rosemary De Rosa, faculty, Academy of Notre Dame, Tyngsborough.Sister Catherine McNam-me, CSJ, Award: Mr. Peter Lynch.

Two other awards will be made, one from NCEA’s Home and School Association and another in recognition of the Parent Teacher Organization of Blessed Sacrament School, Walpole, for its exchange program with the Dzodze Catholic School in Ghana.

In addition to the leadership and organizing committees, there will be many local individuals making presentations at the convention conferences and workshops. Among those presenting from the archdiocese are:

Sister Mary Ann Connolly, SC, principal of Walnut Park Montessori School in Newton: “Rediscovering the Dream of Maria Montessori.”

Dominic Lalli, principal of Xaverian High School, and Michael Welch: “The Board’s Role in Ensuring the Integration of Values into Extracurricular Activities.”

Father Austin Fleming: “Preparing Students for Involvement in Parish Liturgical Life.”

Pilar Latorre, Archdiocesan Office of Religious Education: “Las Catequesis Hispanas — un Reto y un Privilegio.”

Deacon Anthony Rizzutto, Ph.D., Director of the Office of Child Advocacy, Implementation and Oversight: “Protecting God’s Children: A Comprehensive Approach to Sex Abuse Prevention.”

Hundreds of exhibitors of educational material, textbooks and religious goods will display their products in the convention hall.

The convention promises to be an exciting, interesting and informative experience marking the centennial of the largest Catholic association of its kind in the nation.