Three people with very different backgrounds were honored with the NACC’s annual awards at the conference at the University of St. Mary of the Lake.
Harry Dudley received the Outstanding Colleague Award for his years of collaboration with the NACC as the USCCB’s assistant director of the Subcommittee on Certification for Ecclesial Ministry and Service. He has been heavily involved with NACC’s Raskob Foundation grant that has become Partners in Pastoral Care. Mary T. O’Neill praised “his consistent call for competency, education and oversight of the ministry, by both volunteers and paid staff.”
“You were bridge builders in a culture more comfortable with building walls,” Dudley said in his speech of thanks. “You are my heroes. You are the ones who run into the fire when others are running away. You are blessed. You all do this in the name of the Lord and the name of this Church. So bless you all and thank you for allowing me to walk with you.”
Sr. Emily DeMuth, CSC, received the association’s Distinguished Service Award. In her 70 years as a sister and 40 years as a certified chaplain, “she’s got that thing that we all want,” said Bridget Deegan-Krause. “She has brought us blessings of delight and joy.”
“I’m happy every day that I get up, and I say, ‘Dear Lord, thank you for this day,’” Sr. DeMuth said in her acceptance. “Looking at one and looking at another, everyone could receive this award. So I will receive it in your name. … I will continue to try to minister as long as the good Lord allows me to.”
Sean K. Doll O’Mahoney was honored with the Emergent Leader Award, for his service as a certification interviewer and a member and now co-chair of the Certification Commission. “I’m honored to receive this and richly blessed by this body of people,” he said. “I look forward to continuing to learn with you, and hopefully I’ll bring some bread or pizza to the work session this summer.”
