Three people and one pro-life group who have dedicated time and energy to defend human life at all stages will be recognized at the 10th-annual St. John Paul II Champions for Life Awards Luncheon Oct. 18.
Aim Higher Foundation President Jean Houghton was amazed the moment she saw on a large screen how much attendees donated for Catholic education at the St. Paul-based nonprofit’s fall gala Sept. 28.
Being a lifelong Catholic, Father Bob Hart had a certain impression of the priesthood by the time he was in his 40s — until a 1993 retreat talk in by a priest wearing a polo shirt and khakis made him rethink the vocation and his own possibility of joining it.
While Father Jack Long always appreciated working with lay staff in his 40 years of ministry, he said their vital roles became more evident in his final two assignments — both parishes with more than 3,500 households. He refuses to micromanage, he said. “If I’m going to hire a janitor, I’m going to hope that he knows the ins and outs of a boiler, because I don’t.”
“I hope this resolution brings some measure of justice to you,” Archbishop Hebda said to survivors. “Yet, I know that no amount of money will make up for the horrors you experienced and the far-too-frequent failures by priests and bishops — inexcusable failures that went on for way too long."