Missouri Catholic Conference Announces 2006 Citizen Recognition Award Recipients

August 29, 2006, JEFFERSON CITY, MO – Catholic concern for social justice in acknowledging that everyone matters is exemplified in all four of the individuals who will receive a Citizen Recognition Award from the Missouri Catholic Conference at the MCC’s Annual Assembly to be held on Saturday, September 30,2006 at the State Capitol in Jefferson City. Each year the MCC recognizes one individual from each of Missouri’s four Catholic dioceses whose actions promote the common good. The honorees for this year are:

Mrs. Loretta Kelly of the Archdiocese of St. Louis receives the award for her dedication and zeal in serving those in need in Jefferson County. As the director of Catholic Charities Community Services-Jefferson County, she travels more than five hundred miles each week assisting individuals and families in a predominately rural area. Mrs. Kelly’s work includes ensuring home visits to the chronically ill, food and clothing drives and collaboration in other needs such as utility assistance. She is a member of Sacred Heart Church in Crystal City.

Deacon Leroy Seipel was chosen from the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph for his tireless work for justice for farmers and proper land stewardship. A retired dairy farmer, Deacon Seipel, is a member of St. Gregory Church in Maryville. Ordained as a deacon in 1976, he was appointed to the apostolate of rural life in the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph and served two terms on the Board of the National Catholic Rural Life Conference. As a member of the Board, Deacon Seipel reviewed and commented on the 1980 landmark statement of “Strangers and Guests: Toward Community in the Heartland”, that was signed by 72 Midwest bishops.

Sr. Agnes Schlereth is the honoree for the Diocese of Jefferson City. Upon her arrival at Sacred Heart Church in Columbia, she began the task of initiating a Social Concerns Committee. As a result of Sr. Schlereth’s exceptional organizational skills and upbeat “can-do” attitude there are numerous programs at Sacred Heart Church dedicated to assisting those in need. These programs include an Easter Banquet for the Poor, monthly food drives, Birthright baby showers, interfaith projects and fundraising breakfasts and dinners.

Sharon Weidelman of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau receives the award for her dedication and concern for all stages of human life. Mrs. Weidelman does not hesitate to challenge legislators to ensure the rights of the unborn, women in crisis, the unemployed, the elderly and the dying. As a member and Director of Family Life for Immaculate Conception Church in Springfield, she provides counseling and direction for those of limited means, troubled families, abused women and pregnant women in crisis.

The keynote speaker for this year’s Annual Assembly will be Dr. Richard Chole, MD, Lindburg Professor and Department Chairman of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery at Washington University in St. Louis. He is President of the American Otological Society and Director of the American Board of Otolaryngology. Dr. Chole will address Amendment 2, the pending human cloning and embryonic stem cell research initiative. The initiative seeks to amend the Missouri constitution to allow human cloning and the destruction of human life for medical research. Dr. Chole is an outspoken opponent of the initiative while his employer, Washington University in St. Louis, is a leading proponent of the initiative.

Workshop topics will include the minimum wage issue, Missouri’s mental health system, immigration law, maternity homes in the 21st century, the federal budget, the death penalty, and health issues in our Catholic schools.

The Annual Assembly is open to Catholics throughout Missouri and is a free service provided by the MCC to help educate voters on current issues. In addition a free lunch is provided and there is a children’s program for ages 5-12.

Individuals can register by calling toll-free 800-456-1679 or visiting the MCC website at www.mocatholic.org.