Arlington, Va. – The National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) honored eight priests with the 2011 Distinguished Pastor Award in recognition of their outstanding support of Catholic education at its annual convention April 26, 2011, in New Orleans, La.
The awards are given annually and were established by NCEA’s Department of Elementary Schools executive committee in 2007 to acknowledge the exceptional contributions and leadership of pastors.
“The support of pastors is essential to maintaining excellent Catholic schools,” said De La Salle Brother Robert Bimonte, executive director, NCEA Department of Elementary Schools. “The majority of our 7,000 Catholic elementary schools are parish based. Beyond the tremendous financial support necessary to support these schools, pastors provide spiritual leadership to students and faculty that sustains and strengthens these schools – and preserves them for the next generation of students.”
Brother Bimonte added that while NCEA recognized eight pastors this year, they represent thousands of dedicated priests throughout the U.S. who provide outstanding leadership. “This award reflects the recognition and gratitude that we owe all priests for their leadership and support of Catholic schools. In fact, one of our greatest challenges was selecting only eight honorees from the many excellent nominations we received.”
The 2011 Distinguished Pastor Award recipients received their awards at a banquet April 26. In the photo, from left, they are:
Msgr. Gregory Gier, Holy Family Cathedral Parish and School, Tulsa, Okla., Diocese of Tulsa. Msgr. Gier attends school activities and gives a State of the School address each year. From near isolation, he brought together the parish and school communities, fostering collaboration and increasing attendance at both school and parish. By working closely with the school advisory council, school enrollment has increased 40 percent. “I cannot imagine where our school would be without his leadership,” said Principal Jay Luetkemeyer.
Father John R. Haney, St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin Parish and School, Pittsburgh, Pa., Diocese of Pittsburgh. As pastor of St. Gabriel’s for 27 years, Father Haney has continued the vision of his predecessor in making the school tuition-free. He does this by promoting stewardship in the parish, and encouraging parishioners to share a portion of their time, talent and treasure in support of all parish ministries, including the school. He is passionate about making Catholic education available to all children, not just those whose families can afford it. “He is truly the Good Shepherd, who knows his sheep and tends his flock with the simple, loving kindness of a caring, faithful father,” said Barbara Sawyer, principal of the school.
Father Arthur J. Proulx, Nativity Catholic Parish and School, Brandon, Fla., Diocese of St. Petersburg. Twice a day, Father Proulx walks the campus of Nativity Catholic School , fingering his rosary beads and chatting with the 770 students. After the daily 8:00 a.m. Mass, he faithfully asks staff, “How are you? What are you working on? Anything I can help you with?” “He has a unique ability to balance the two huge roles demanded of a pastor of a large parish and school: to be an involved leader on everyday business matters and yet always keeps his role as spiritual leader his primary ministry,” said Michelle Welsby, chairperson of the school advisory council. “We are grateful for his service.”
Benedictine Father Gregory Chamberlin, St. Benedict Cathedral Parish and School, Evansville, Ind., Diocese of Evansville. Every morning at 7:35, Father Chamberlin greets students, welcoming them and calling them by name, and every afternoon he stands with the crossing guards to send them home. He has served for 17 years at St. Benedict Cathedral, and is the “center point” of the school, said Benedictine Sister Karlene Sensmeier, principal of the school. “His leadership and presence at St. Ben’s are recruiting tools for the school.”
Father Ronald J. Lewinski, St. Mary of the Assumption Parish and Frassati Catholic Academy, Mundelein, Ill., Archdiocese of Chicago. Over the years, Father Lewinski noticed declining enrollment at his school and two nearby schools. He explored the circumstances affecting Catholic schools and children ages 10-14, interviewing staff and parents, and developed a vision for a new Catholic learning environment that integrated 21st century technology, high academic standards and a strong spiritual vision.
In 2010, Frassati Catholic Academy opened to 131 students, the first Catholic middle school in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Named for Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, the school emphasizes a spiritual charter of five principles: beatitudes, relationships, Eucharist, discipleship and perseverance. “We thank God for granting Father Ron the wisdom, fortitude and initial financial support to provide middle school students an extraordinary Catholic learning environment where the only attitude that is embraced is beatitude!” said Dr. Diane Vida, principal. “He is an amazing, intellectual, modest shepherd, and I am honored to serve him.”
Msgr. Louis F. Kihneman, III, Sacred Heart Church and School, Rockport, Texas, Diocese of Corpus Christi. Under Msgr. Kihneman’s leadership, school enrollment doubled, an endowment was established, facilities were improved, and the Montessori program for pre-schoolers was introduced. But it is his spiritual leadership with children that stands out for many parents and faculty. When hearing first confessions, he sits on a chair at the second-graders’ level; when blessing the animals on the feast of St. Francis, he is amazingly patient, and when preaching to students every Friday, he keeps his homilies short and tailored to their level. “He shows us that a priest who follows Christ is a joyful person,” said teacher Fredia Hester. “Not only does he have a gentle sense of humor when dealing with the normal things that children do, but in him they can see the loving kindness of someone following Jesus.”
Father Gordon Kalil, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and School, Napa, Calif., Diocese of Santa Rosa. Father Kalil is known to produce squeals of delight from students when he dons unique clothing in support of school activities, such as a “crab bib” at the Crab Dinner or a referee uniform and whistle at the Priests vs. Students Holy Hoops basketball game. But it is the gasps of joy from parishioners that may be his biggest achievement. In difficult economic times, Father Kalil raised $400,000 in a capital campaign for the school, and secured $100,000 in tuition assistance for this school year. He accomplished these efforts while ministering to a 15,000 member congregation. “It is his passion for Catholic education that moves everyone to help him on his mission,” said Lisa Paul, school council president. “We feel blessed to have the leadership of Father Kalil.”
Holy Cross Father Neil Wack, Christ the King Catholic Parish and School, South Bend, Ind., Diocese of Fort Wayne/South Bend. Father Wack is known as the priest who “walks the walk.” He earned this designation when he raised $60,000 for a new school playground by walking a marathon – on a treadmill. He established a twinning relationship with Corpus Christi School in Jalchatra, Bangladesh, encouraging students to donate money. “Not only does this encourage global learning for the students, but it provides them with the opportunity to practice Christian works of charity,” said Kathleen Kloska, a parent with four children attending Christ the King School. “He truly puts on the face of Christ for us.”
NCEA, founded in 1904, is a professional membership organization that provides leadership, direction and service to fulfill the evangelizing, catechizing and teaching mission of the church. NCEA members include elementary schools, high schools, superintendants, parish religious education programs and seminaries.
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