Each spring Catholic Rural Life presents two recongition awards:

 

-- The first is the Isidore and Maria Exemplary Award for a farm couple who have made exemplary contributions to the achievement of the Catholic vision of a generous, gracious and pious rural life.

 

-- The second is the Archbishop O’Hara Advocacy Award for Rural Ministry. This award is for a priest, religious or layperson who has excelled in service and advocacy to rural communities.

 

{Scroll to bottom to see Nomination Process.}

 

I. Isidore and Maria Exemplary Award

The Isidore and Maria Award is given to Catholic Rural Life members whose work through the tradition of Catholic social teaching has led to significant progress toward greater social justice and dignity for rural families and communities.

 

This award honors a rural couple who exemplify fidelity to a vision and vocation of rural life, which combines family, stewardship and faith.

 

Isidore and Maria are the patron saints of the National Catholic Rural Life Conference. They were a prayerful couple, devoted to the Eucharist, served those in need and loved the work of the earth.

 

Criteria for Selection:

  Nominations should address these attributes:

   1) Initiative or leadership in parish activities or rural organizations.

   2) Impact on local parish and wider faith community.

   3) How the couple brings to light Catholic social teaching in rural life.

 

Eligibility for Nomination:

   1) Catholic Rural Life member

   2) Married and living on the land or in a rural community

   3) Practicing religious faith and a role model in the community 

 

 

II. Archbishop O’Hara Advocacy Award for Rural Ministry

This recognition award honors a leader who is an advocate for rural communities and social justice in the spirit and tradition of Archbishop Edwin V. O’Hara.

 

Edwin Vincent O’Hara (1881-1956) founded the National Catholic Rural Life Conference in 1923. As a priest he was passionate about rural life, social justice and the spiritual formation of Catholics. He eventually became the Archbishop of Kansas City and was a creative, original voice in the American Church whose legacy continues in the voices of leaders befitting this award.

 

Criteria for Selection:

  Nominations should address how the nominee:

   1) Effectively advocates on behalf of rural communities.

   2) Exemplifies Catholic Social Teaching and articulates how it relates to rural concerns.

 

Eligibility for Nomination:

   1) Catholic Rural Life member.

   2) Priest, religious or layperson.

 

 

Nomination Process:

1) Nominations may be made by a colleague, fellow parishioner, friend or family member.

 

2) All nominations carry the same weight – i.e., a nomination by a bishop is the same as a nomination by a colleague or friend.

 

3) Nominations should be written and sent info@ncrlc.com or by standard mail to NCRLC, 4625 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50310.

 

4) Nominations are generally due FEBRUARY 28, 2013.

 

 

Recognition of Award Recipients:

Announcements will generally be made around the feastday of St. Isidore, May 15th. Award recipients will be featured on our website, highlighted in our Catholic Rural Life Magazine and publicized in local newspapers and Catholic media.