Dr. Eric Yang’s dedication to faith and service could be summed up in three words: “I’ll be there.”
Yang, named the 2023 Catholic Man of the Year in the diocese, was presented the annual award on Friday, Feb. 3 at the Catholic Men’s Luncheon Club monthly meeting in Columbus St. Patrick Church’s Patrick Hall.
“I am humbled by his award and am honored and overwhelmed,” he said. “I am truly blessed.”
The individuals who spoke glowingly about the honoree after he received a plaque from Bishop Earl Fernandes all mentioned Yang’s willingness to do just about anything at a moment’s notice wherever there’s a need.
Retired Deacon Phil Paulucci of Columbus St. Peter Church mentioned Yang’s indefatigable spirit and his ubiquitous presence in the parish.
Father Steven Beseau, the president and rector at the Pontifical College Josephinum where Yang serves as an adjunct professor, similarly described a willingness to be present and be a witness of faith to the seminarians as a treasured gift.
In accepting the award, Yang paid tribute to all the people he works with at his parish, the Josephinum and with the Knights of Columbus while dedicating the honor to his late parents, Nelia and Anastacio; an aunt who helped raise him after his mother died when he was 8 years old; and his wife, Josephine.
A 10-year Knights of Columbus member, Yang is deeply committed to the men’s fraternal organization. He is currently the district deputy for parishes in northwest Columbus, secretary of the Columbus diocesan chapter of the Knights, pilot for Ohio District 3 of the fourth-degree Knights and Columbian Martyrs Assembly 2380, and a former grand knight, trustee and faith activity director of St. Peter Council 11216.
Yang teaches biology and developmental biology at the Josephinum and biology and physiology at Columbus State Community College.
“Josephine and I feel blessed to be part of the Josephinum community, and we have formed many friendships with the priests, faculty and staff,” Yang said. “I feel blessed to have a role in the formation of seminarians even if only to teach them biology.”
Yang, 57, a native of the Philippines who came to the United States with his family in the 1970s, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at a young age.
“I don’t know who helped them discern my potential and instead of sending me to the local cerebral palsy center, they enrolled me in one of the best schools in the Philippines,” he recalled in his acceptance speech.
“When I was 8, my mother died of cancer. Losing my mother could’ve led me to a different path in life instad of continuing to strive to succeed,” he said. “I think the fact that my Aunt Julia taught me how to pray and lead the rosary as my mother was dying of cancer had a great impact on how I was able to deal with my mother’s death at that young age.
“I still remember praying in the hospital room as my sick mother looked at me smiling as I prayed. Praying to Our Blessed Mother provided me with peace and comfort after my mother died.”
He went on to earn an undergraduate degree in biology/pre-medicine and Asian studies in 1987 from Seton Hall University in New Jersey before coming to Ohio State University, where he received a doctorate in molecular, cellular and developmental biology in 1992, followed by postdoctoral work at the University of California-Irvine and then returning to Columbus, where he has resided since 1997.
Yang described how his faith weakened after he came to the United States but eventually was led back to the sacraments through watching EWTN, listening to Catholic radio and attending men’s conferences.
After praying two 54-day novenas, he said he was blessed with meeting his wife, Josephine, a physical therapist who takes him everywhere because he uses a wheelchair due to his physical limitations. The couple married seven years ago.
“Without her, I would not be able to do all the activities that this award recognizes me for,” he said. “All of my involvement in the parish, the Knights of Columbus, Catholic Men’s Ministry and the Filipino community is only possible because of her support.
“She sacrifices by taking me to meetings, often sitting in the hallway to work on her clinical notes, and then continuing to work on them until late at night after we get home. I thank God for blessing me with a saintly bride.”
Yang’s activities and involvement in Catholic organizations are voluminous.
He currently serves on the membership and leadership teams for the men’s spirituality ministry at his parish, the core planning team for Eucharistic Adoration and is a member of the Serra Club of North Columbus.
At various points in the past, he has been involved in the parish council, adult enrichment at the parish and the planning committee for the diocesan Catholic Men’s Conference, the annual Philippine pre-Christmas celebration known as Simbang Gabi, and a multilingual Holy Hour at St. Peter, leading a decade of the rosary in the Philippine language of Tagalog.
Joining Yang and his wife at the presentation were his brother, Edwin, and nephew Wesley.
“God did not bless us with children,” Yang said, “but we feel blessed to have children in our nephews and niece, in the St. Peter parish and at the Josephinum.
“I want to thank my many brother Knights who have trusted in my abilities and have asked me to take on several responsibilities. Josephine and I have met many in our parish, the Knights of Columbus and in our diocese who have become great friends, and we are blessed to have them in our life.”
He asked those present to continue to pray for the young men discerning a vocation to the priesthood and for an increase in vocations to religious life, and for Bishop Fernandes and the priests and religious in the diocese.
Other Catholic Man of the Year nominees were John Albright of Chillicothe St. Peter Church, Robert Brehm of Columbus Our Lady of Peace, David Breitmayer of Newark St. Francis de Sales, Victor Campanelli of Danville St. Luke, Joseph Finneran of Columbus St. Andrew, Michael Haller of Chillicothe St. Mary, Robert Lagnese of Waverly St. Mary, Alan Mooney and Jim Severance of Columbus Holy Family, Matt Palmer of Columbus St. Catharine, John Reiner of Dublin St. Brigid of Kildare, Jeff Thomas of Johnstown Church of the Ascension and Tom Wagner of Pickerington St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.
Representatives from the Catholic Men’s Luncheon Club, Knights of Columbus, Young Catholic Professionals, the Catholic Men’s Ministry and the Serra Club selected Yang from the list of nominees and presented their recommendation to Bishop Fernandes for approval.
The 2022 recipient was Dr. Allen Lewis of Sunbury St. John Neumann Church.
The award, established in 1957 and given to John Igoe of Columbus St. Agatha Church, has been presented every year since then except in 2021 after the COVID-19 pandemic.