April 7, 2010

Local Legatus chapter presents awards to a deacon and a layman

By John Gleason

Deacon Jim Wall of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Wheat Ridge is recipient of the 2009 Legatus Award from the organization’s Denver chapter. The award is given to a member of the clergy whose support of the cause of life has been an example to all. 

The presentation was made at an awards dinner held in January at the John Paul II Center in south Denver.  Deacon Wall told the Denver Catholic Register he was humbled by the award as there are countless heroes in the prolife movement who are deserving of the honor.

“I thought of all those people who’ve been in the battle for years and felt that the award should really go to all those who stand up for what is right,” he said.  “Many people have sacrificed a lot. …  I witness so many brave people who have a love for Christ and the unborn.”

Past recipients of the Legatus Award have been Father Robert Reycraft, pastor of St. Louis Parish in Englewood, and Father Joseph Cao, pastor of St. Joan of Arc Parish in Arvada.

The Legatus Award is one of two awards the organization of Catholic business leaders presents annually, according to Nancy Kopp, coordinator of Legatus’ Denver chapter. The second award, called Ambassador of the Year, went to Legatus member Jim Davis.

“This award is presented to a member of Legatus whose life has demonstrated their commitment to our mission to live and spread the Catholic faith,” she said.  “It was a privilege to present Jim with this honor.”

Legatus is an international organization whose members seek to study, live and spread their Catholic faith in their professional and personal lives.  The organization was started two decades ago by Tom Monaghan, founder of Dominoes Pizza and Ave Maria University.  It has more than 60 chapters around the world.  The Denver chapter was formed by John and Carol Saeman and is celebrating its 10th anniversary.  Meetings are held at the John Paul II Center. For more information about Legatus’ Denver chapter, visit www.lega tuscolorado. org or e-mail lega tus.nancy@ gmail.com.