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Diverse group of Catholics to be awarded for faithful service
By Conor Gilliland
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Archbishop Gomez Gala When: 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Oct. 21 |
“This event is unique in that we are honoring people of the most humble means to people who have a much greater capacity to give financially,” said Jennie Marquez, Centro’s interim executive director. She added that Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gomez, former auxiliary bishop of Denver, will attend the event.
The gala also includes a silent auction. Gala tickets cost $150 per person. Sponsorship opportunities range from $1,500 to $25,000.
The gala is set for 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Oct. 21 at Sheraton Downtown Denver, 1550 Court Place.
Carl A. Anderson
Receiving the Archbishop Charles J. Chaput Leadership Award, now in its second year, is supreme knight of the Knights of Columbus and University of Denver Law School graduate Carl A. Anderson.
This award is given to a person who by their life and service exemplifies the values most significant to Archbishop Chaput’s own ministry. Anderson and Archbishop Chaput share more than just ministerial values, though. This summer they shared a stage at World Youth Day in Madrid where together they espoused some of those values—encouraging youths to challenge the encrusted secular worldview in their respective communities.
According to his Knights biography, since Anderson became the CEO and chairman of the board in 2000, “the Knights of Columbus (have) achieved new heights in charitable giving, providing in its latest year more than $151 million directly to charity and 69.3 million hours in volunteer service.”
In addition to Anderson’s fastidious fiscal leadership, he led the Knights to initiate a program called “Healing Haiti’s Children,” which provides free prosthetic limbs and at least two years of rehabilitation to children who lost a limb due to the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti.
Armando “Manny” Martinez
This year’s recipient of the Pastoral Leadership Award is Armando Manuel “Manny” Melo Martinez of Queen of Peace Parish in Aurora.
This award is given to an individual whose Catholic faith results in outstanding parochial or diocesan ministry to the Hispanic community of the Archdiocese of Denver.
Martinez is a construction worker hailing from Mexico City. He arrived to the United States in 2000. His desire to help other Hispanic immigrants led Martinez to become a youth leader at Queen of Peace, where he directs the youth choir and speaks at confirmation retreats, among other support roles.
Walter and Georgia Imhoff
This year’s Amistad Award is given to Walter Imhoff and the memory of his late wife, Georgia. The Amistad Award is given to people or entities whose generous giving allows Centro San Juan Diego to advance their mission of empowering Hispanics in the Denver Archdiocese to become leaders in the Catholic Church and society through education and pastoral care.
Imhoff, an investment banker, graduated from Regis University in 1955 with a Bachelor of Arts in business administration and a minor in accounting. According to a fall 2001 article in Regis University Magazine, the Jesuit philosophy that Imhoff imbibed during his education continues to inspire his giving ways. The article notes, “The Imhoffs were the only husband and wife team to earn Outstanding Fund Raiser honors at Colorado’s National Philanthropy Day celebration.”
Imhoff’s company, Hanifen Imhoff Inc., received the Childhelp USA Corporate Award in 1994. Imhoff has served on numerous boards including the Greater Denver Chamber of Commerce and Regis University.
Adolfo “Eppie” Romero
Adolfo Epimenio “Eppie” Romero will receive the Social Justice Leadership Award, which is given to “an individual or entity whose Catholic faith has inspired commitment to social justice and community service, and whose actions personify the social doctrine of the Catholic Church.”
Romero’s ministry effectively began in 1978 when he began attending St. Anthony of Padua Parish with his wife Inez. Romero’s present ministries include volunteering at the food and clothing bank at St. Anthony’s, serving as an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist, and bilingual facilitation for retreats and other events.
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