EXTON, PA. – Catholic Leadership Institute is honored to announce the 2009 recipients of its Awards for Outstanding Catholic Leadership. The 10th Annual Awards event on November 13, 2009 will highlight the outstanding Catholic Leadership of four incredible individuals:
Cardinal Daniel DiNardo – the Archbishop of Galveston-Houston and the first Cardinal elevated from the Southern United States
Barbara Henkels – National Catholic philanthropist and advocate for Catholic education
Sr. Briege McKenna, OSC – Internationally-recognized retreat leader for priests and lifelong sister
Secretary James Nicholson – Former Vatican Ambassador and advocate for Catholic life and social teaching
“CLI developed the Awards for Outstanding Catholic Leadership in 2000 to recognize people in the Catholic Church whose exemplary leadership in the family, the workplace, the community and the Church has been inspired by their Catholic faith,” said Timothy C. Flanagan, founder and chairman of the Catholic Leadership Institute. “The lay, clergy and religious men and women named this year have inspired and led others, serving as role models for future Church and lay leaders.” More information about each honoree can be found below.
As the second Archbishop of Galveston-Houston, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo is the spiritual leader of more than 1.5 million Catholics. The state of Texas has grown to encompass 15 dioceses, making it the largest Catholic province in the world. In recognition of this growth and a lifetime of Catholic leadership, Pope Benedict XVI elevated Cardinal DiNardo to the College of Cardinals in 2007, making him the first cardinal archbishop from the Southern United States. In addition to leading one of the country’s fastest-growing Catholic communities, Cardinal DiNardo supports many important Catholic causes. In his home diocese and as a member of the International Pontifical Council for Culture, the Cardinal is known for his constant efforts to unite a multicultural, multilingual flock of Christian faithful to live out the Gospel with passion and enthusiasm. He has created an Archdiocesan Pastoral Council to enter into deeper collaboration with the lay faithful from around the archdiocese. With a great love for liturgy and music, the Cardinal currently serves as the Episcopal Moderator for the National Association of Pastoral Musicians. He will also succeed Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia as chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Pro-Life Activities this November. With all of his numerous leadership roles, His Eminence still uses his gift of cooking to frequently cook meals for his priests in his home.
Barbara Henkels is one of the most prominent Catholic philanthropists in the country. Together with her late husband Paul of 50 years, Barbara has worked tirelessly to promote the importance of authentic Catholic education. She has helped found two private Catholic elementary schools in the Philadelphia area and is a founding board member of Ave Maria University in Florida. She has served and continues to serve on a plethora of Catholic boards including the International Legatus Board of Directors, Cabrini College and St. Thomas Aquinas College to name a few. She is the recipient of the Pro Ecclesia et pontifice Papal Medal and the Philopatrian St. John Newman Medal among numerous other honors. She is the consummate example of a devoted Catholic wife and mother, raising 10 children and providing extraordinary care during her husband’s long and difficult illness.
Secretary James Nicholson has been a life-long servant of his country and his Church. The Secretary has had a distinguished public service career including close to 30 years in active and reserve forces for the United States Army as well as Secretary for Veteran Affairs. As the U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, Secretary Nicholson was a well-known advocate in Rome for the elevation of human dignity, giving special emphasis to human trafficking, religious freedom, starvation and HIV/AIDS. He was knighted by Pope John Paul II in October 2003 for this work representing the U.S. to the Vatican. In addition to his work with the Vatican, Secretary Nicholson has supported the St. Luke Institute for those ministering in the Church with a wide range of psychological and spiritual problems. Secretary Nicholson and his wife Suzanne are the parents of three children.
As a Sister of Saint Clare since the age of 15, Sr. Briege McKenna has led a life devoted to Christ and His priests. Soon after coming to the United States from Ireland and taking final vows, Sr. Briege was crippled by a debilitating arthritis. At the age of 24, she was miraculously healed during celebration of the Eucharist and felt called to bring the same gift of healing and comfort to priests around the world. For almost thirty years, she has answered her call to support the priesthood by hosting healing and support retreats and seminars from Florida to Scandinavia, Africa to Argentina. Her popular book, Miracles Do Happen: God Can Do the Impossible, has been translated into several languages. In this “Year of the Priest,” Sister’s ministry is profound example of the support the laity can give to our Good Leaders and Good Shepherds.
A reception beginning at 6:00 p.m. will be followed by dinner and the awards ceremony. Tickets are available for $150 per person. Checks made out to “Catholic Leadership Institute” can be mailed to Catholic Leadership Institute, 750 Springdale Drive, Suite 200, Exton, PA 19341. For more information, call 610.363.1315 or email dcellucci@catholicleaders.org.
|
