The awards, initiated by the archbishop in 1991, recognize outstanding service to the church in the spirit of the Second Vatican Council. This year's recipients were:

· Judy Keyes for Service in Administration;
· Salvador Rosado for Service to the Church;
· Thomas Smith for Service in Communication;
· Sr. Lucille Walsh, OSF for Service in Ecumenism;
· Sr. Jessine Reiss, OSF for Service in Ecumenism;
· Marna Boyle for Service in Education;
· Jim and Carol Hunt Ott for Service to Families;
· Jeffrey Honore for Service in Liturgy;
· Joseph Nettesheim for Service to the Missions;
· Fr. Richard Cerpich for Service in the Priesthood;
· Fr. Jack Kern for Service in the Priesthood;
· Fr. Booker Ashe, OFM Cap for Service to Society.

The recipients were recognized at a prayer service. Members of the Knights of Peter Claver led the opening procession carrying eight-foot banners of brightly colored fabric, candleholders adorned with yellow flowers, and a processional crucifix of wood and glass commissioned for the 150th anniversary of the diocese in 1994. Archbishop Weakland, dressed in his cope and mitre and carrying a gold, bishop's staff, followed. The archdiocesan choir, under the direction of Jeffrey Honore, filled the chapel with the strains of the "Canticle of Daniel," a piece composed by the director.

"Somehow we as Catholics have to get back to seeing the importance of Jesus Christ in the world," said the archbishop in his homily. "You and I have to be Christ to the world." He added that the recipients of the Vatican II awards are people who have shown us how to be Christ to others.

Following the awards, the festivities moved to the Cousins Center dining room where recipients and their guests enjoyed dinner.

A special exhibit in honor of Br. Booker Ashe, who is ill and was unable to accept his award in person, was featured outside the chapel. Br. Ashe served as the director of the House of Peace, a community outreach agency, for 30 years.