Milwaukee Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan and Auxiliary Bishop Richard J. Sklba with the 2007 Vatican II Award recipients. (Photo by Mike Gryniewicz)

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

The recipients of the 2007 Vatican II Awards are:

Service in Administration – Donald Layden serves as the Chairperson of the Archdiocesan Resource Development Council and is assuming the role of Major Gifts Chairperson for the Catholic Education Campaign – Faith in Our Future. In addition, he serves numerous educational institutions within the archdiocese, as a board member, including Alverno College, Divine Savior Holy Angels High School, Nativity Jesuit Middle School and Marquette University Law School. He has also helped to revitalize volunteer leadership within the archdiocese of Milwaukee.

Service to the Church – Martha Andrade has been a timeless champion for the Hispanic community within the Catholic Church of southeastern Wisconsin for more than twenty years. She has worked to maintain treasured traditions, unite ethnic groups and improve financial literacy in the Hispanic community.

Service in Communication – Todd Kotlarek, general manager of Metroparent Magazine, has enriched the lives of thousands by providing valuable parenting and family resources in the monthly publication he publishes. Four years ago Kotlarek launched KIDSfest, an annual, free, two-day event that celebrates and supports families. The event draws more than 40,000 parents and children each year.

Service in Ecumenism – Roberta O’Hara Schmitt has used her professional experience as a communicator to broaden the understanding and growth of ecumenism in southeastern Wisconsin. Her effort to write and edit various publications has helped to deepen an understanding between various faith traditions. She continues to be an active member of several interfaith dialogue groups.

Service in Education - Dr. John Augenstein has dedicated more than 40 years of his life to educational ministry. During that time he has been an elementary and high school teacher in Catholic and public schools, a central office administrator, a university professor and Dean of Marquette University’s School of Education. Augenstein served as Interim Director of Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee at the request of Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan.

Service to Families – Jack and Cindy Weigel feel strongly that as Church, we need to offer a counter-cultural witness of what a sacramental marriage is versus what we have come to accept as the “throw away” image we witness so often in society. Together, they have served the Archdiocesan Engaged Enrichment program as presenters for more than 25 years. The Weigels have been married for more than 40 years.

Service in Liturgy – Charles Christian Rich has served as Director of Liturgy and Music at Sacred Heart School of Theology in Franklin for the past thirty years. He has had a significant influence on the formation of second-career vocations for the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and dioceses across the United States.

Service to the Missions – Mary Sue Healy returns to Haiti year after year to minister to the poor and sick despite the immense suffering she witnesses during each trip. For the past 15 years, Healy has dedicated herself to caring for the people of Haiti during her visits and by spreading the word about their great need during the remainder of the year. She has recruited more than 36 volunteers to travel with her to Haiti in the past seven years.

Service to the Priesthood – Fr. Charles Verhalen served the Archdiocese of Milwaukee as a parish priest for more than fifty years. It’s what he was called to do according to family members. He felt it was the best way that he could serve God and people. During his priesthood, Fr. Verhalen developed a mentoring program for seminarians at Sacred Heart School of Theology. The goal of the program was to help them get a better flavor of what being a parish priest entailed. Fr. Verhalen is now retired.

Service to the Priesthood - Fr. Patrick Heppe, since his ordination in 1977, has followed the model Christ set for all of us when he washed the feet of his disciples during the Last Supper. His humility and love of God, is evident to those her serves. Fr. Heppe led the merger of six parishes into one in Fond du Lac County – Holy Family Parish. Heppe also serves as Dean of Fond du Lac County.

Service in Society – Sister Ann Halloran’s goal as Director of the Dominican Center for Women in Milwaukee’s central city, has been to help residents create a beautiful, safe and nonviolent community where homeowners are committed to the community. The Center’s first time home ownership program, has assisted low income families in procuring more than 67 homes in the past five years.

Youth Service to the Church – Kevin Butler has coached his young basketball team in rebounding, passing and free throw mechanics for the past five years. But, improving skill level and winning games are secondary to him. His ultimate game plan is to instill values and share personal faith stories with his young players.

Youth Service in Education – Amy Kroll believes that “you might be the only Gospel someone ever reads,” and that’s why she thinks it’s important to live out the Gospels instead of just talking about them. Amy has been involved in practically every aspect of parish ministry in her young life but has a heart for education and service. As a parish member at St. John Vianney Parish, Brookfield, she has taught elementary religious education, coordinated the summer Vacation Bible School and is currently a Confirmation Leader.

Youth Service to Society – Brady Kegley is so knowledgeable about her Catholic faith that even her teachers come to her with questions. As a catechist, Kegley advocates for the Catholic Church without lecturing and without dismissing other faiths. She serves as youth representative on both the Parish Council and Chirstian Formation Committee at Sacred Heart Parish in Horicon. Brady volunteers at the Right to Life booth at the County Fair during the summer and is in the midst of fundraising to earn her way to World Youth Day 2008.