What is the Lumen Christi Award? 

Each year since 1978 Catholic Extension has bestowed the Lumen Christi Award (Latin for "Light of Christ") to a deserving individual for exemplary missionary work in the United States. Nominations are  accepted from bishops of more than 80 mission dioceses that receive support from Catholic Extension. It is the nation's top missionary honor. "This award allows us to recognize and reward the missionaries who sacrifice so much to work on behalf of the Church in some of our country's poorest regions and whose work makes Catholic Extension's mission possible," Catholic Extension President Father Jack Wall said.

Click here to see past Lumen Christi recipients.

Arkansas Priest To Receive Nation's Top Missionary Honor

 Catholic Extension Presents 2007 Lumen Christi Award To Monsignor R. Scott Friend

CHICAGO - When the Diocese of Little Rock established the position of Coordinator of Hispanic Ministry in 1989, there was no budget and no money available for office space. So for three years, Father R. Scott Friend used the backseat of his automobile as his portable office as he traveled widely, tending to the needs of the growing Latino population in Arkansas.

When the Hispanic Ministry Office was formally established as part of the Diocese of Little Rock in 1992, he was named as Director. Since then, the personable and enthusiastic priest, a native Arkansan, has served as pastor in the two largest Hispanic communities, becoming a much-beloved figure among his parishioners for his "ministry of presence" and his willingness to reach out to serve them. Now a Monsignor, he serves as Vocations Director in the diocese, promoting vocations to the priesthood.

For his continuing work radiating the "Light of Christ" in his vital ministry in the Hispanic community and his enthusiastic presence in caring for the poor, the dispossessed, and families in need, Monsignor R. Scott Friend has been named the 2007 recipient of the Catholic Church Extension Society's Lumen Christi Award. The national award (which means "Light of Christ") is presented annually by Catholic Extension to recognize outstanding missionary work in America.

Rev. John J. Wall, President of Catholic Extension, will present the Lumen Christi Award to Monsignor Friend at a special Mass and reception at Chicago's Holy Name Cathedral on September 22. Catholic Extension will further honor Monsignor Friend with a gift of $25,000, and the Diocese of Little Rock will also be given $25,000.

"We at Catholic Extension are privileged to recognize and honor missionaries like Monsignor Friend," Father Wall said. "He exemplifies the 'Light of Christ' in the way he has continued to reach out to offer spiritual comfort to our country's poor and dispossessed and those struggling to live their Catholic Faith in America, in spite of having to carry the heavy burden of his own illness."

In 2003, Monsignor Friend was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. Because the symptoms manifest slowly, MS is one of the most difficult diseases to understand. Friend could lose his eyesight and end up in a wheelchair - but he remains characteristically spiritually optimistic.

"I ask a lot of favors from God, he said. "If he's asking me this favor - to carry this - then I'm happy to do it for him."

While Monsignor Friend was pastor at St. Raphael Church in Springdale, Arkansas, the largest and one of the fastest-growing parishes in the diocese, the church grew to more than 11,000 parishioners, which is more than double the number of registered families since he began his tenure there.

Noticing the stress created by the language barrier (more than half of St. Raphael's parishioners speak Spanish), Monsignor Friend faced the challenge by trusting in God, saying, "When everything looks like chaos, God is up to something."

He took action, working tirelessly to overcome the language barrier until the fruits of his efforts became evident. He sowed the seeds of unity by giving everyone a sense of ownership in the parish and created a bond among them in the Body of Christ. In order to learn how Mexicans live and pray, Monsignor Friend traveled to Mexico to walk almost 10 days in a pilgrimage from Guanajuato to San Juan de Los Lagos and Jalisco, getting fully immersed in the culture.

Recognizing that the presence of the priest is a large aspect of Latino culture, Friend made himself available and "on call" at all hours. Very early in the morning, people began to drop by -- and sometimes there was a line waiting for him. They came with all manner of concerns, from immigration papers and work-related problems to marital trouble and difficulties with children. Friend provided counsel steeped in spirituality and prayer and genuine warmth. An outgrowth of Friend's concern for people with immigration concerns led to him founding the Catholic Immigration Office of the Diocese of Little Rock.

Bishop J. Peter Sartain, Bishop of Joliet, Illinois, and former Bishop Of Little Rock, said, "Monsignor Scott is a man of love, and a man of humility. He speaks simply and unashamedly of his relationship with his friend, Jesus, and it is clear to those who know him that his relationship with God motivates all he does. He desires, above all else, to bring people to Jesus Christ, The impact of his ministry is incalculable."

"I am both deeply humbled and honored to represent all those who strive to spread the Good News of our faith," Monsignor Friend said. "I believe that what is being honored by me receiving the Lumen Christi Award is how God has been true to His Word in my life. Often Hispanics will remind me after we plan something, "Si Dios quiere" ("God Willing.") In my life He has been, and for that I am grateful."

This year marks the 30th annual Lumen Christi Award given by Catholic Extension. Nominations are put forward by home mission bishops and then judged by a prestigious panel. This year's panel included television's Bob Newhart, Chicago Bears Board of Directors Secretary Virginia McCaskey, Businesswoman and civic leader Joanne Velasquez of Azteca Foods, "Our Sunday Visitor" Associate Publisher Monsignor Owen Campion, USCCB President Most Reverend William S. Skylstad, and retired Bishop of Biloxi Most Reverend Joseph L. Howze.

For more than 100 years, the Chicago-based Catholic Church Extension Society has supported Catholic missions in the U.S. by funding church construction, religious education and seminary formation, campus and outreach ministries, evangelization, and salaries for missionaries. Catholic Extension is the leading supporter of Catholic missions in the U.S. and has distributed more than $450 million over its history.

To find out more about Catholic Extension, and receive a full year of EXTENSION Magazine free of charge, call 1-800-842-7804 or visit www.catholicextension.org. Preview copies of Catholic Extension's bilingual magazine, Nuestra Familia Católica are also available free of charge.

(For high-resolution photos of Monsignor Scott Friend for reprinting, please email Mark Andel at andelm@catholic-extension.org or call 312-795-6074.)

For more information contact:
Mark Andel
Communications Director
Catholic Extension
(312) 795-6074
mailto:andelm@catholic-extension.org

2006 LUMEN CHRISTI RECIPIENT:  

New Orleans Missionary Honored with Catholic Extension's "Lumen Christi" Award

Sister Vera Butler, PBVM, was announced as Catholic Church Extension Society’s 29th Annual Lumen Christi (Light of Christ) Award recipient at Holy Name Cathedral’s Joseph Bernardin Parish Center on September 23rd by Catholic Extension President Bishop William R. Houck. Catholic Extension presents the Lumen Christi Award every year to an individual who has accomplished outstanding missionary work in America. For more than 18 years, Sister Vera has been a dedicated advocate for the homeless, senior citizens, and low-income families in New Orleans. She also was awarded $10,000 and the Archdiocese of New Orleans was presented with $25,000, which will be used for Sister Vera’s “Feed Jesus” lunch program.

Click here for a photo gallery of last year's Lumen Christi Presentation.