The Catholic Men’s Luncheon Club has selected Dr. Eric Yang of Columbus St. Peter Church as the 2023 diocesan Catholic Man of the Year.
Bishop Earl Fernandes will present Yang with the award at the club’s meeting on Friday, Feb. 3 following the 11:45 a.m. Mass at Columbus St. Patrick Church, 280 N. Grant Ave. A $12 donation is required to cover the cost of the luncheon.
Yang, 57, is an adjunct lecturer in biology and developmental biology at the Pontifical College Josephinum and in biology and physiology at Columbus State Community College and is an active member of his parish and the Knights of Columbus.
“I learned during a Josephinum faculty meeting that I was going to receive the award, then got back to my office and was shocked and humbled when I began to think more about it, knowing who some of the past recipients were,” he said. “I’m sure there are many more of this year’s nominees more deserving than me.”
His current parish activities include membership on leadership teams for the men’s spirituality ministry, the core planning team for Eucharistic Adoration and the North Columbus Serra Club.
In the past, he has been part of Parish Council, the parish adult enrichment committee and planning committees for the diocesan Catholic Men’s Conference, the diocesan celebration of the Philippine pre-Christmas event known as Simbang Gabi, and his parish’s multilingual Holy Hour, where he often leads a decade of the rosary in the Philippine language of Tagalog with his wife of seven years, Josephine.
“We met online and felt a connection because we shared the same faith and culture,” Yang said. “She was in West Virginia and I was in Ohio, and one thing that I think impressed her about me is that when we started calling each other, I asked her to pray the rosary with me.
“We married at somewhat of a late age and don’t have children, so we consider the parishioners at St. Peter as our family and are honored to serve them.”
He has been a member of the Knights of Columbus for 10 years and is district deputy for District 36, which consists of councils from St. Peter, Dublin St. Brigid of Kildare, Powell St. Joan of Arc, Columbus St. Andrew and Columbus St. Agatha churches. He also is 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 past grand knight, trustee and faith activity director of St. Peter Council 11216.
“I’m honored to be a Knight because of the fraternity Knights share and all the activities we do,” he said. “As a professor, I know that I can’t guide my students unless I see them, and it’s the same way as a district deputy. I oversee five councils in that role, and I can’t help them serve the Church and community if I don’t see their members, so I try to attend as many of their functions as I can.
“I can’t drive because I have mobility issues and a mild form of cerebral palsy, so I depend on Josephine to take me to events. I never could have received this honor without her.”
In his nomination of Yang for the honor, retired Deacon Phil Paulucci of St. Peter Church said, “In every parish there are people who form the core of parish life. These are the people who are active and involved in the spiritual, social and intellectual life of the parish. … Eric Yang and his wife, Josephine, are among those people for St. Peter Parish. …
“The schedule that they keep is mind-boggling. I literally cannot think of any parish event without them being present. But more, much more, they are two deeply spiritual and devoted people who exemplify the sacramental nature of matrimony.”
St. Peter parishioner Matt Rubal said in his nomination letter, “In the time I’ve known him, Eric seems to be involved in everything at our parish that brings people closer to Christ. … Most unique to Eric is his sincere and joyful demeanor that you can tell flows from his core beliefs.
“It inspires those about him in a positive and affirming way to become better people and step up as followers of Christ. I for one am continually inspired by his example, and it has caused me to become a better and more devoted person in my faith life.”
Yang came with his family to the United States from the Philippines in the 1970s. He earned an undergraduate degree in biology/pre-medicine and Asian studies in 1987 at Seton Hall University in New Jersey, then came to Columbus to attend Ohio State University, where he earned a doctorate in molecular, cellular and developmental biology in 1992. He did postdoctoral studies at the University of California-Irvine from 1992 to 1997, then returned to Columbus, where he has lived ever since.
He was chosen from 14 nominees for the Catholic Man of the Year award by representatives from the Catholic Men’s Luncheon Club, Young Catholic Professionals, the Catholic Men’s Ministry, the Knights of Columbus and the Serra Club.
The club established the honor in 1957, awarding it to John Igoe of Columbus St. Agatha Church, and presented it every year through 2020. No 2021 award was presented because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2022 recipient was Dr. Allen Lewis of Sunbury St. John Neumann Church.
