Contact: Kathleen Hohl, 414-769-3494

Sixteen individuals will receive 2004 Archbishop's Vatican II Awards for Distinguished Service for outstanding contributions to the Church and society on Thursday, December 2. A prayer service and awards ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. at the Mater Christi Chapel, Archbishop Cousins Catholic Center, 3501 S. Lake Dr., St. Francis.

The Awards were established in 1991 to honor men, women and young adults who exemplify the Church's vision set forth in the Second Vatican Council.

This year's recipients are:

Service in Administration – Allan Lorge has been a member of the St. Francis Borgia, Cedarburg, parish council since 1984. He has served on the Archdiocese Investment Council and Budget Committee. Lorge also has worked with Catholic Knights to provide loans to parishes throughout southeastern Wisconsin.

Service to the Church – Betty Lovinus has served in a variety of leadership roles at numerous parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. She has served as a parish nurse since 1994 and has volunteered on several archdiocesan task forces related to health ministry. She is a parishioner at St. Therese, Milwaukee.

Service in Communication – Patty Kostechka, a parishioner at St. Andrew Parish, Delavan, has long been dedicated to serving as an interpreter for the deaf throughout the Archdiocese. In addition to coordinating her parish's needs, she has tutored priests and parishioners in American Sign Language.

Service in Ecumenism – As a leader in the Catholic and Native American communities, Linda J. Fehrer, a member of Milwaukee's Congregation of the Great Spirit Parish, has worked hard to help people embrace common bonds. She has brought her devotion to ecumenism to parishes, schools, colleges and hospitals across southeastern Wisconsin.

Service in Education – Edward Drexler's relationship to Milwaukee's Pius XI High School dates back to the 1940s when he was a student there. Drexler has served in a number of roles at Pius XI, but his biggest impact has been in the field of biological science studies, where he has coordinated curriculum since the 1960s. Drexler is a member of Gesu Parish.

Service to Families – St. Patrick, Milwaukee, parishioners Ismael and Esther Soto have worked to create a healthy environment for families in southeastern Wisconsin. Their involvement in marriage preparation and retreats has ensured that countless couples are learning the importance of a loving marriage. They also assist with the Hispanic choir at St. Jerome Parish, Oconomowoc.

Service in Liturgy – Barbara Tracey, a parishioner at St. Michael, Milwaukee, is committed to overcoming cultural barriers with music. As liturgy coordinator for the St. Michael, St. Francis and St. Rose parishes, Tracey has worked hard to strengthen the sense of fellowship in these worship communities.

Service to the Missions – For the last 10 years, Rob Doucette and Karen Ivantic-Doucette have dedicated their personal and professional lives to build relationships and programs in East Africa. Members of Milwaukee's St. Sebastian Parish, they have trained numerous individuals to be advocates for change at home and abroad.

Service in the Priesthood – Father Bob Stiefvater has served the Catholic community of southeastern Wisconsin in a variety of ways since his ordination in 1977. He has led the archdiocese's vocations office, served as a missionary in the Dominican Republic, and currently is the Vicar for Hispanic Ministry and pastor at Milwaukee's St. Hyacinth Parish.

Father Bill Mackin – Father Mackin led a number of parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, including creating a new parish, St. Eugene, for the Fox Point community. Father Mackin also served in the Naval Reserve Chaplain Corps for three years, including during World War II.

Service in Society – Ana Garcia-Ashley has dedicated her life to creating a more just society. Her work with MICAH and the Gamaliel Foundation are proof of this, as is her work as a leadership trainer in the area of social justice. Garcia-Ashley is a member of St. Martin de Porres Parish, Milwaukee.

Youth Service to the Church – Kathryn Murphy was dedicated to liturgical and service planning while a student at Pius XI High School in Milwaukee. Now as a student at Xavier University, she has continued her outreach involvement in a variety of ways. She is a parishioner at Mary Queen of Heaven, West Allis.

Youth Service in Education – St. Joan Antida High School student Tianna McCullough is active in the House of Peace Teen Leadership Program. Part of her involvement has included participating in programs on conflict resolution and peace projects. She is a member of St. Michael Parish, Milwaukee.

Youth Service to Society – Marc Lois is committed to helping those around him become more socially conscious and compassionate. Marc, who is studying fire science at Gateway Technical College, is always seeking ways to help others and give back to society. He is a parishioner at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary in Kenosha

Award for Service – This award, which is being presented for the first time, recognizes a special, dedicated servant of the Lord – Delphine Meyer. Delphine served four Archbishops of Milwaukee in a span of 47 years. Delphine, who died in July 2004, was known for her loyalty and laughter and was committed to making the professional lives of Archbishop Albert Meyer, Archbishop William Cousins, Archbishop Rembert Weakland, and Archbishop Timothy Dolan, run more smoothly. 2004 marks the first time the Award for Service is being presented.

For more information on the history of the Vatican II Awards and a list of past recipients, visit this link.