The 2007 convention committee is seeking nominations for this year’s Catherine of Siena Distinguished Lay Person Award. This award was established by the 2005 VOTF convocation steering committee and approved by the Board of Trustees at that time.

VOTF established this award because Catherine of Siena encountered corruption and crisis in the Church and took noble and effective action to end it. Grieved by scandal and undeterred by rank, she was spurred on to reform the Lord’s Church. Catherine of Siena went directly to Pope Gregory XI and through determined and courageous efforts became the catalyst for ending the crisis of the Avignon captivity of the papacy.

Catherine of Siena’s deep faith propelled her to care for those labeled as least in her society. Neither hardship nor schism, neither war nor persecution, detained her from being about the Lord’s work. Through convicted faith, she was an innovator led by the spirit and an agent of change in a tumultuous event in her lifetime. The Church ultimately recognized her contribution by proclaiming her both a saint and a Doctor of the Church.

Judge Ann Burke was the first recipient of this award.

Models of exemplary lay leadership are needed as torchbearers of light in our Church. The laity has many gifts that are willingly used for the Church’s service. VOTF seeks to light the lamps of recognition of the laity and call forth the talents of all members of the Body of Christ.

All members of VOTF are encouraged to submit the name of a lay person who has exhibited the faith, courage, and conviction of Catherine in his/her own arena.

Name of nominee

Name of nominator (or affiliate)

Role of nominee (theologian, lay minister, parishioner)

Reason for nomination (300 words or less detailing the action/work done by this person that exemplifies the virtues of Catharine of Siena)

Supporting evidence (Testimonies, newspaper articles)

Availability of nominee to attend conference

The convention committee, made up of representatives from the membership, NRC, and the officers will make the selection.

Nominations are to be sent to Mary Freeman at mfreeman13@verizon.net no later than June 25th.