Since 2008, the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis has honored local Catholics who have worked to promote the Church’s pro-life mission with the St. John Paul II Champions for Life Awards. Winners of the 2015 St. John Paul II Champions for Life Awards are:

Debra Braun, St. Agnes in St. Paul: Adult – Pro-Life Professional. Described as a “silent saint for the unborn,” she works at St. Paul’s Pro-Life Action Ministries and often counsels women going into abortion clinics.

Brother Paul O’Donnell, St. Columba in St. Paul: Adult – Pro-Life Professional (posthumous). A Franciscan Brother of Peace who died in February, Brother Paul was a national advocate of the unborn and founder of several pro-life groups.

Julie Schleisman, Immaculate Conception in Columbia Heights: Adult – Volunteer. A member of the Third Franciscan Order, she’s a longtime volunteer at North Side Life Care Center in Minneapolis.

Lakers 4 Life, St. Michael in Prior Lake: Youth/Young Adult (individual or group). Prior Lake High School’s pro-life group “brought the pro-life conversation to social media, lunch tables and classroom discussions and projects,” noted nominator Pat Millea, director of high school faith formation and confirmation at
St. Michael.

Ruth Godfrey and Jennie Antolak, Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis, and St. John the Baptist in New Brighton: Couple, Family or Catholic Affiliated Group. The mother-daughter team has worked with a pregnancy resource center to pilot a “Coach Approach” program.

Bishop Andrew Cozzens will honor the winners at a luncheon, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Oct. 8 at St. Peter in Mendota. Keynote speaker is Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America. Tickets are $35 each or $280 per table. Register here or call 651-291-4489.