February 24, 2010

Local pastor one of 10 to earn NCEA Award

By Julie Filby

Father Brian Morrow, pastor at St. John the Baptist in Longmont, is one of only 10 pastors selected nationwide by the National Catholic Education Association for the annual Distinguished Pastor Award.

The award is given to a pastor to honor his support to Catholic elementary education. The criteria include providing spiritual guidance to the school community; engaging in school activities and community financial support, and working closely with the board, parents and administration.

“I’m honored, surprised and very grateful to be a part of this wonderful community of St. John’s,” Father Morrow said. “This award is not just about me—but about all the people who make our school such an exceptional, faith-filled environment for our children.”

Principal Julie Rossi said Father Morrow was nominated based on his dedication to Catholic schools and ability to engage both the parish and school for the betterment of the entire community.

“He knows the sacrifices families make to send their children to Catholic schools,” she said. “And diligently works to ensure we are not only an active faith community but a successful academic community as well.”

Father Morrow has served at St. John the Baptist since 1999. He was nominated for the pastor award by Rossi, a teacher from St. John the Baptist School, a school board member and an alumni parent.

In her nomination letter, long-time parishioner and pastoral council member at St. John’s, Eileen Cavanaugh, commended Father Morrow, who she said came to the school at a time when it was struggling financially and academically.
“Enrollment was down, and morale was low,” she wrote. “Father immediately became proactive in addressing the situation to ensure the school would remain a vital and thriving aspect of his new parish.”

In 2001, Father Morrow successfully led the $4 million “Share the Vision” capital improvement project to expand and renovate the 1926 school building. The project improved the school by adding12,000-feet of classroom space, updated air conditioning and heating systems, new playground equipment and a state-of-the-art gymnasium.

Cavanaugh described Father Morrow as a “warm, welcoming, reassuring and uplifting” spiritual leader of the parish and school.

“He is always there to counsel, console and encourage everyone in our school community,” she wrote. “His caring ways have brought quiet comfort to so many who were experiencing difficult days—his phone calls, hand-written notes, home and hospital visits, and just a reassuring word on the playground or after Mass are too numerous to count.”

Father Morrow will attend the NCEA annual conference in St. Paul-Minneapolis in April to receive the award.