October 14, 2009

Deacon receives first Bakhita-Drexel Award

Deacon Guffie Menogan, 79, who was ordained to the diaconate in 1996, received the first St. Josephine Bakhita-St. Katharine Drexel Award at a dinner held at St. Ignatius Loyola Church the evening of Oct. 2.

The award honors a Catholic who has shown extraordinary leadership in evangelization in the black community, said Mary Leisring, director of the archdiocese’s Office of Black Catholics. More than 100 guests attended the inaugural event.

 Deacon Joe Donohoe, director of the Diaconate Office, spoke about the diaconate and praised Deacon Menogan’s ministry. “The deacon is … known as an icon of Jesus Christ the Servant,” he said. “In other words, when one peers into the heart of a deacon, they see Jesus washing the feet of his apostles and obediently adhering to the direction of the Blessed Mother when she states, ‘Do whatever he tells you’ (Jn 2:5).’” Later, he added:  “Deacon Guffie is a model of the diaconate.  He is my brother (deacon) and he emulates these qualities.  I am grateful to God for his presence in the Archdiocese of Denver and our common association as deacons.”