Sister RoseMary Boessen and Fr. Jack Wall on Relevant Radio

The 2009 Lumen Christi Award recipient Sister RoseMary Boessen and Catholic Extension President Fr. Jack Wall were guests on Relevant Radio's "Morning Air" on August 28. Audio from this segment can be heard on the Relevant Radio website. The interview can be found in Hour 2 at the 41-minute mark.

Nation's Highest Honor for Missionary Given to Champion of Poor in Rural America

Catholic Church Extension Society names Sister RoseMary Boessen of Idaho recipient of Lumen Christi Award; bestows $50,000 in recognition of work in America's home missions

Chicago, Ill. - Catholic Church Extension Society has named Sister RoseMary Boessen, R.S.M., of the Diocese of Boise the recipient of the 2009 Lumen Christi Award, the nation's highest honor given annually to a missionary, in recognition of her exceptional service to the poor and isolated in southern Idaho.

For 32 years, the Lumen Christi Award, Latin for "Light of Christ," has been presented annually to an individual serving in one of America's mission dioceses to better the lives of those in need. In addition to the award, the recipient receives $25,000, as does the recipient's diocese.

Nominated for the 2009 award by Bishop Michael Driscoll of the Diocese of Boise, Sister RoseMary, of Twin Falls, ID, has dedicated her life to the people of southern Idaho, developing religious education programs, establishing a group foster home for teenage girls, ministering to prisoners, and supporting and empowering the growing Hispanic population in the area.

In 1993, Sr. RoseMary founded La Posada, a nonprofit organization that assists Hispanics living in the diocese. In 2008 alone, La Posada programs served 3,000 people.

"On behalf of all of our donors who give so generously to Catholic Extension, we are deeply honored to name Sister RoseMary the 2009 Lumen Christi Award recipient in recognition of the innovation and creativity she has brought to the challenge of meeting the needs of many with few resources," said Father Jack Wall, President of Catholic Extension. "The Lumen Christi Award is one way Catholic Extension fulfills its mission to enable countless men and women like Sister RoseMary to live Christ's command to, ‘Go out and bring good news to the poor.'"

Lumen Christi Award nominations are accepted from bishops of more than 80 mission dioceses that receive support from Catholic Extension. This year, 36 individuals were nominated, and the recipient was selected by a panel of judges comprised of Church leaders, Catholic Extension donors and past recipients that included:

• Mr. Arturo Chavez, Mexican American Catholic College
• Sunny Chico, Extension donor
• Dr. Carol Cottrill, 2008 Lumen Christi Award Recipient
• Bishop Joseph Howze, First Bishop of Biloxi
• Lawrence Hyde, Extension donor
• Peter Maren, Extension donor
• Bob Newhart, actor and Extension donor
  
  

Sister RoseMary was selected among many nominees in appreciation for the nearly 40 years she has tirelessly devoted to serving southern Idaho.

"Time and again, and with very little support, Sister RoseMary has built effective, lasting ministries that serve the marginalized, the poorest of the poor," said Chris Plunkett, Lumen Christi Award regional judge. "I noted the tremendously high esteem that so many have for her, and was particularly impressed by the ripple effect that her example has had in her community."

For more than 50 years, Sr. RoseMary has served as a Sister of Mercy, an international order of Roman Catholic women religious who have taken vows to serve those experiencing poverty, sickness and lack of education.

A celebration and Mass to honor Sr. RoseMary will be held in Twin Falls on October 7.

Dan Gibbard
Director of Communications
Catholic Extension
(312) 795-5136
gibbardd@catholic-extension.org