Managing a law career while serving as a parish director of music and liturgical ministries for more than 50 years.
Going all in to bring others to a family-focused Catholic movement.
A lifetime of spreading the Gospel throughout northern Ozaukee County.
These are just a few glimpses of the lives of 15 men and women who will be honored with the Archbishop’s Vatican II Award for Distinguished Service for outstanding contributions to the Church and society.
All are invited to a prayer service and awards ceremony to honor the winners at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Milwaukee. A dessert reception in the Cathedral Atrium will follow. No registration is needed to attend.
Those selected for a Vatican II Award this year, their parishes and their award categories are:
- Dr. Mark Joerres, St. Mary, Hales Corners
Leadership in Education - Jennifer Osorio, St. Patrick, Racine, and University of Wisconsin-Parkside
John Paul II Award for Youth & Young Adult Leadership - Sarah Spotts, St. Lucy, Racine, and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
John Paul II Award for Youth & Young Adult Leadership - Goreti Villegas, St. Mark, Kenosha
Leadership in Families - Fr. Tom Knoebel
Pope Benedict XVI Award for Leadership in Scholarship & Academia - Mike Bruch, St. Monica, Whitefish Bay
Leadership in Liturgy and Worship - Charles and Debra Potter, St. John Vianney, Brookfield
Pope Francis Award for Missionary Leadership - John Marek, Holy Apostles, New Berlin
Leadership in Administration - Fr. Luke Strand
Leadership in the Priesthood - Fr. Christopher Klusman
Leadership in the Priesthood - Deb Hamm, Divine Savior, Fredonia, and Our Lady of the Lakes, Random Lake
Leadership in the Church - Liz Kuhn, Queen of Apostles, Pewaukee
St. John XXIII Award for Spirit of the Council - Dcn. James Leggett, St. Alphonsus, Greendale
Leadership in the Permanent Diaconate - Margaret (Peggy) Hamill, St. Mary, Elm Grove
St. Paul VI Award for Leadership in Peace & Justice
Find out more each inspiring person in a special section in the Sept. 19 issue of the Catholic Herald.
To congratulate someone with an ad in that issue, contact Jenny Mullen at mullenj@archmil.org or 414-769-3477 by Tuesday, Sept. 10.
The Vatican II Awards were established in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee in 1991 to honor men, women and young adults who exemplify the Catholic Church’s vision set forth in the Second Vatican Council. In 2023, the award categories were revised, and some were incorporated into several newly named awards.
