2005 Lumen Christi Award Recipient Father Leroy Clementich, CSC

Beloved Alaska "Circuit Priest" Receives Catholic Extension Lumen Christi Award

When some people reach their later years, they head for warm, balmy breezes and a life of ease. Father Leroy Clementich, CSC, age 80, took quite another path: active mission work in the frozen wilds of Alaska. Day in and day out, "Father Clem" is either working at one of his "desk jobs" - he is both the Director of Pastoral Education for the Archdiocese of Anchorage and the coordinator of rural ministry - or he's flying (often piloting himself) to one of a number of rural parishes to minister to Catholics who don't have a resident pastor. In the past 12 years of his work here, he has become a beloved mentor, advisor, and confidant to the faithful who live in these communities in the Bristol Bay area parishes in Dillingham, Naknek, King Salmon, and other smaller villages and towns.

The Catholic Church Extension Society, the leading supporter of missionary work in poor and remote parts of the United States, is pleased to announce that Father Leroy Clementich is the 2005 recipient of the Lumen Christi Award (Light of Christ), a national award presented by Catholic Extension for outstanding missionary work in America.

Most Rev. William R. Houck, president of Catholic Extension, will present the award to Father Clem in Chicago on September 24, 2005. Extension will further honor Father Clem with a gift of $10,000 and the Archdiocese of Anchorage with $25,000.

"We at Catholic Extension are privileged to recognize and honor people like Father Clementich," Bishop Houck said. "He is such an inspiration. Such humble and generous service prompts us to live our Faith and be generous in bringing it to others."

Father Clementich is known for his quick smile and easy humility. Although he is highly educated, with three Master's degrees to his credit, he remains a personable, down-to-earth spiritual presence. In this bitterly cold, dark, and frozen region, faithful Catholics in the Archdiocese of Anchorage can always rely on the shining light of hope and warmth of Father Clem.

"I like to meet the people," Father Clem said. "It's exciting to bring the Word of Christ to people who don't have the opportunity to attend Mass every week. Sure, it's more demanding - the towns are scattered and often inaccessible, the congregations small,
the resources limited - but it has been a very, very rewarding ministry."

Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz, OMI, who nominated Father Clementich for the Lumen Christi Award, said, "Father Clem is a marvelous example of a true pastor and shepherd. He brings tireless energy to his ministry, and I'm deeply grateful to Catholic Extension for recognizing him in this way."

This year marks the 28th annual Lumen Christi award given by Catholic Extension. Nominations, made by home mission bishops, are judged by a prestigious panel. This year's panel included television's Bob Newhart, Chicago Bears Board of Directors Secretary Virginia McCaskey, Joanne Velasquez of Azteca Foods, Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Carl Anderson, "Our Sunday Visitor" Associate Publisher Monsignor Owen Campion, USCCB President Most Reverend William S. Skylstad, and former Bishop of Biloxi Most Reverend Joseph L. Howze.

For nearly a century, Catholic Extension, through the generosity of tens of thousands of Catholics nationwide, has helped poor parishes and missions pay for church construction, religious education, outreach ministries, missionary salary subsidies, and operating expenses. In addition, Catholic Extension helps dioceses throughout the United States pay for their education. Catholic Extension has become the leading supporter of missionary work in America, distributing more than $400 million to poor and remote missions over its 100-year history.