WELLINGTON | Cecilia Torrisi, Respect Life director at St. Rita Parish in Wellington, was recognized in October with the 2025 Respect Life Ministry Award for the Diocese of Palm Beach at the Florida Culture of Life Conference in Miami for her unwavering commitment, creativity and tireless leadership in promoting the dignity and sanctity of life from conception to natural death. She was unable to attend the conference but was presented the award Nov. 13 at St. Rita.
Since establishing the pro-life ministry at St. Rita in 2022, Torrisi has cultivated a vibrant, service-oriented organization of almost 20 members who actively engage the parish and wider community in the church’s mission. Her dedication has been evident from the start — recruiting new members, organizing regular meetings, and crafting a strong ministry identity through the development of a logo, letterhead, posters, and even branded T-shirts to unite and inspire members.
Under her leadership, the parish ministry has hosted numerous impactful events, including seasonal pro-life baby showers in fall 2022, spring 2023 and spring 2024. Much-needed baby items were collected for Catholic Charities’ Birthline/Lifeline pregnancy care program, directly supporting local mothers and babies.
Torrisi also has been a powerful advocate for diocesan-wide pro-life activities, promoting participation in 40 Days for Life, Catholic Days at the Capitol and death warrant vigils. She has regularly organized rosary prayer events and Masses dedicated to the sanctity of life, providing spiritual grounding and community prayer opportunities.
Her efforts to support families in need are evident through two baby bottle fundraising campaigns in 2023 and 2025, and gift card donations sent to victims of the Hurricane Milton tornadoes in 2024, especially families with small children. Torrisi also led the charge in organizing Walking with Moms in Need diaper drives in 2023 and 2024, again benefiting Birthline/Lifeline.
Her ministry has embraced education and advocacy as well. In fall 2024, she helped organize an educational event to encourage voting against Florida’s Amendment 4, a ballot initiative threatening protections for the unborn.
Building bridges between communities, the St. Rita ministry co-sponsored the June 2023 Luncheon for Life alongside neighboring parish Our Lady Queen of Peace, featuring Rachel’s Vineyard, a healing ministry for those affected by abortion. Torrisi has also brought warmth and creativity to the parish with crafting parties, where members made bookmarks and rosaries distributed during Mother’s and Father’s Day Masses.
Additionally, the Respect Life ministry launched a Plants for Life fundraiser in fall 2023 and 2024, with proceeds supporting ongoing pro-life efforts. Their generosity also extended to donating items for a baby gift basket auctioned at the 2023 St. Rita Gala, further raising funds and awareness.
“Cecilia Torrisi has exemplified what it means to be a servant leader in the pro-life movement — rooted in faith, compassion and action,” said Deanna Herbst-Hoosac, Respect Life ministry director for Catholic Charities of Palm Beach. “Catholic Charities is honored to recognize her outstanding contributions to the respect life mission and the lives she has touched throughout the Diocese of Palm Beach.”
For more information on local pro-life activities, visit https://www.ccdpb.org/programs/respect-life/, email Herbst-Hoosac at dherbst@ccdpb.org or call 561-360-3330.
