St. Mary’s Catholic Church Fort Wayne, in cooperation with the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, is now accepting nominations for the 2010 Father Tom O’Connor Light of Christ Award. This award is presented each year in March to an individual whose work reflects the strong values exemplified by Father O’Connor during his many years as a priest. This year the award committee invites nominations of persons of faith whose work among the disadvantaged encourages a just society and peaceful resolution of conflict. The award carries with it a gift of $1000 given in the name of the recipient to her or his designated project, school, faith community, or non profit organization. In the words of Bishop John M. D’Arcy, the Father Tom O’Connor Light of Christ Award has been designed to encourage “the next generation of Father Toms.”

Father O’Connor, who died March 17, 2004, at the age of 74, served as pastor of St. Mary’s Parish for 34 years, and is considered by many to be an icon of Catholic faith in action.

Father Tom believed that providing food to the hungry was a matter of both justice and charity. He was instrumental in the creation of the St. Mary’s Soup Kitchen that has operated non-stop since opening on January 22, 1975, the Matthew 25 Health and Dental Clinics, St. Mary’s Thanksgiving Day dinner, and an annual Christmas box distribution that helps more than 500 families each year. He was also part of the steering committee that created Vincent House/Vincent Village Transitional Housing.

Father Tom was actively involved in ecumenical and interfaith activities and was a strong advocate for peace, both locally as well as in the wider community. He was an important resource for persons seeking discernment as they considered conscientious objector status and was a strong advocate for civil rights.

Father O’Connor was honored during his lifetime with many awards and accolades, including the prestigious national Catholic Extension Society’s Lumen Christi Award, described by the Society’s president as the “Church’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize. “

 

 

 

Each year The Father Tom O’Connor Light of Christ Award committee seeks nominations of persons of faith, high school age or older,whose activities serve as an example and encouragement to youth. One category will be designated by the committee each year in which to receive nominations, and only one nominee in the designated category will be selected to receive the award. The committee may, should it so desire, defer selecting a winner in any given year. Application information is detailed below and is also available from the St. Mary’s Church Office, 260-424-8231.

 

1.            Nominations are to be made by letter from someone who knows the nominee well.

 

2.            Nominees must come from a strong faith background and be of good character. Nominations are open to persons of all faiths.

 

3.            The nomination must include the following information in the order listed:

a.             Nominee’s name

b.            Contact information

c.             Age and school or occupation

d.            Faith affiliation

e.             Where the cash award is to be directed, should the nominee receive the award.

h.            A brief narrative no more than two pages in length explaining why the nominee should be considered for this award. 

4.             Email submissions (Word document attachment) are preferred and should be sent to jan.stmarys@verizon.net. Email nominations must be received no later than 4:00 pm January 22, 2010.    

 

5.            Letters of nomination may be mailed to Father Tom O’Connor Award Committee, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, PO Box 11383, Fort Wayne, IN 46857-1383, and must be received no later than January 22, 2010.