February 11, 2009

Catholics nominated for ecumenical MLK Peace and Justice Award

ESTES PARK, Colo.—Olga Ortega de Rojas, a parishioner of Our Lady of the Mountains Church in Estes Park, is this year’s winner of the Martin Luther King Peace and Justice Award, given by the Estes Park Interfaith Council.

Rojas’ pastor, Father Gregory Cioch, was a nominee of the award. A total of four people were nominated for the honor, which was presented during an interfaith service at St. Bartholomew Episcopal Church on the evening of Jan. 19, Martin Luther King Day.

Rojas won the award for her community efforts promoting appreciation for Hispanic cultures.

“Olga has been very active in Multicultural Connections helping the organization to address the needs not only of the Spanish-speaking Estes community, but also the needs of the whole community to learn and grow in understanding the changes in the population,” reads the nomination letter by Donna Shavlik and Louise Olson.

Father Cioch was nominated for demonstrating a genuine commitment to ecumenism.

“Father Gregory is involved with both ministerial groups and embodies a true spirit of love and ecumenism in our community, by lending his gracious presence at the various celebrations and charitable events throughout the year, from hosting the Interfaith Thanksgiving service and through the Life Chain observance,” reads Father Cioch’s nomination letter by Lois Weaver. “He is always reminding us of God’s love and presence with us.”