Voice of the Faithful 2012 St. Catherine of Siena Distinguished Layperson Award Nominations

The 2012 Convention Committee is seeking nominations for the 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, war or 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 the tumultuous events of her lifetime. The Church ultimately recognized her contribution by proclaiming her both a saint and a Doctor of the Church.

Models of exemplary lay leadership are needed as torchbearers of light in our Church. The laity have 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 aptitude for unprecedented action, and the outspokenness of Catherine in his/her own arena in the past few years.

Nominees and supporting documentation should be sent electronically to acampanella@votf.org on or before June 15, 2012.

Documentation needed is:

  • Name of nominee and contact information
  • Role of nominee (theologian, lay minister, parishioner)
  • Reason for nomination (main reasons why this person exemplifies the virtues of Catherine of Siena)
  • Supporting evidence (testimonials, newspaper articles/these may be files attached to your e-mail)
  • Likelihood of nominee to attend conference in Boston (high, medium, low)
  • Nominator’s contact information for follow-up