On Thursday, March 5, our Residents were visited by the 2015 Archbishop May awardees. These are representatives from the senior class of each of the 27 Catholic high schools in the Saint Louis Archdiocese. Award winners must serve in social justice and outreach programs for their whole high school career to be eligible. The students and our Residents gathered in the Main Dining Room to hear about the work each student had done over the last four years to be awarded this prestigious honor. The award is given each year to a senior student at each Catholic high school who exhibits a commitment to social justice as modeled by our former bishop, Archbishop May, who was known as a spokesperson and leader of social justice programs and efforts for the poor and needy in the community.
The background and experiences of these students was extraordinary, and gave everyone a positive sense of the future leadership and commitment of these young people in making a difference in our world. Their work was done within and outside the Saint Louis area, some working in remote areas of Latin America and South America. After the students finished their brief presentations, our Residents engaged them in a question and answer session which added to the depth of the experience. All of our Residents expressed pride in the work and commitment of these high schoolers.
Their school principals and their pastors, along with family members, will be attending the Award reception at Busch Center on the Saint Louis University campus with auxiliary Bishop Edward Rice hosting the event in April. Congratulations to all and thank you for your example of commitment to the needy and to the social ministry of the Church!