On Saturday 25th September 2010 Mrs Maria Barnes received the Bene Merenti Medal from Pope Benedict XVI for outstanding service to the Roman Catholic Church in Cornwall. The presentation as directed by Pope Benedict was made by Fr Mark O'Keefe, Chaplain to the Cornwall Branch of the Catholic Womens League (CWL) at St John the Baptist Church in Camborne. In presenting the medal, Fr Mark recalled Maria's many years of dedicated service to the CWL. Her work included 17 years as the Cornwall Representative for the Provision of Summer Catechetical camps in the Plymouth RC Diocese for young people aged 8 to 18. She has also held office at Local, County, Regional and National levels for the League.

(Pictured: Maria with Fr Mark O'Keefe)

Maria is currently Head Sacristan at Our Lady of the Portal and St Piran RC Church in Cornwall. She is also the Regional representative for the Third World Charity, Catholic Aid for Overseas Development (CAFOD).

She and her husband, Paul, who live in Truro had the honour of reserved seats in Westminster Cathedral on Saturday September 18th, when Mass was celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI, during his State Visit, in the presence of the Cardinals, Bishops, and invited Clergy and Laity of England and Wales. Maria said that 'it gave me great pleasure to be there, not just as a Roman Catholic but as a representative for Cornwall', where she has lived for 25 years. Maria and Paul are very active members of the Cornwall Church in every sphere. Their latest project is an Evening with Anne Widdecombe, who is a key celebrity in Strictly Come Dancing, a black tie dinner which is being held at the Falmouth Hotel on October 28th. They have 5 children, Dominic, Anne-Marie, Vincent, Alban and Francis.

The Bene Merenti medal was instituted by Pope Gregory XVI in 1832 and is conferred on those who have exibited long and exceptional service to the Roman Catholic Church, their Families and the Community. The medal has the word 'Bene Merenti' ('to a well deserving person') on its face, surrounded by a crown of oak leaves. The ribbon consists of the silver and gold of the Papal colours. Only a handful have been conferred in recent times.

Maria is the wife of Paul Barnes, who is a Shrigley past pupil and the Cornwall Coordinator of the Salesian Cooperators.