Catholic Extension Presents 28th Lumen Christi Award To Father Leroy Clementich

Most Rev. William R. Houck, president of the Catholic Church Extension Society, and Archbishop of Chicago Francis Cardinal George, presented the nation's top missionary honor, the 28th annual Lumen Christi Award, to Alaska priest Father Leroy Clementich, CSC, at SS. Faith, Hope and Charity Church in Winnetka, Illinois on September 24.

The nationally recognized Lumen Christi Award (Light of Christ) was established by Catholic Extension in 1978 as a way to recognize a religious or layperson performing exemplary missionary work among the poor and unchurched in the United States. Nominations are submitted by bishops from mission dioceses across the U.S., and a panel of distinguished Catholics selects the recipient. The award includes $10,000 to the recipient and $25,000 to the nominating diocese for its own mission needs.

Earlier in the day, "Father Clem" participated in a car wash fundraiser with the confirmation class at SS. Faith, Hope & Charity to help raise money for the Alaska missions and Catholic Extension's hurricane relief efforts. The group's efforts raised $961.

Holy Cross Father Clementich is the Director of Pastoral Education for the Archdiocese of Anchorage and the coordinator of rural ministry. An experienced pilot, the 80-year-old priest regularly travels to 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 spiritual leader to the faithful who live in the Bristol Bay area parishes in Dillingham, Naknek, King Salmon, and other smaller Alaskan villages and towns.

"The Lumen Christi Award is especially appropriate for Father Clem and his ministry in the ‘Land of the Midnight Sun,' Catholic Extension President Bishop William R. Houck said at the presentation ceremony. "In this part of Alaska, winter shortens the daylight to a dim, four hour glow. It is then, when temperatures dip to 40 degrees below zero and everything is covered with snow, that Father Clem's extraordinary ministry radiates most brilliantly."

Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schweitz, OMI, who nominated Clementich for the Lumen Christi Award, said, "Father Clementich deserves special recognition for his never-ending energy and zeal in bringing the Good News of Our Lord to the faithful in those small and rural communities of South Central and Western Alaska where he serves. He 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."

For 100 years, the Chicago-based Catholic Church Extension Society has supported Catholic missions in the U.S. by funding church construction, religious and seminary education, outreach ministries, evangelization, salaries and operating expenses. Catholic Extension is the leading supporter of Catholic missions in the U.S. and has distributed more than $400 million over its history. For more information about Catholic Extension, please visit www.catholicextension.org or call 1-800-842-7804.