Three recognized for service to Hispanic Catholic community

Four lay people recipients of 2008 Archbishop Gomez Awards

By Rossana Goñi

The Denver Archdiocese honored three members of the Hispanic community for their service to the Church during the Archbishop Jose H. Gomez Awards Dinner Oct. 16 at Centro San Juan Diego.

Centro San Juan Diego is an initiative of the Denver Archdiocese offering pastoral and family care to Hispanic Catholics. This year is the fourth the Archbishop Gomez Awards have been presented. The awards are named after the former auxiliary bishop of Denver, now the archbishop of San Antonio, Texas.

Archbishop Gomez was present at the dinner together with Denver Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap, Denver Auxiliary Bishop James D. Conley and former Denver priest, Bishop Samuel Aquila of Fargo, N.D.

Sports commentator Luis Canela served as the master of ceremonies. The event started with an invocation by Archbishop Chaput, who expressed gratitude for the work of Centro San Juan Diego and for the many gifts Hispanic Catholics bring to the Church.

“Both the communities of Hispanics and Anglos have so much to share,” said Luis Soto, executive director of Centro. “We can learn from the Hispanic community the values of family, friendship, profound respect for life and a festive spirit. At the same time, we can learn from this society the great respect for human rights, democracy, punctuality, organization and more.”

Speaking about the ministry performed at Centro, Soto added, “Last year we served almost 18,000 families and individuals; this year … we’ve already surpassed that number.”

Bishop Conley expressed his desire to be close to the Hispanic community, noting that in beginning in February he will study Spanish in Guadalajara, Mexico, for six weeks to equip him to better serve the Hispanic community.

Luis and Irma Olives, regional delegates for a Catholic family organization, received the Pastoral Leadership Award.

 “Since 2001 their generosity and enthusiasm have helped many marriages and families to grow in their Catholic faith through the Christian Family Movement,” said Father Gerardo Puga, administrator of Ascension Parish and spiritual advisor to the Christian Catholic Family Movement (Movimiento Familiar Cristiano-Católico), who nominated the Olivas.  Father Puga said that because of the Olivas’ efforts, “nearly 150 families have received vital support for their families within the context of a beautiful Catholic community.”

Richard McLean received the Social Justice Leadership Award. Father Bert Chilson, pastor of St. Therese Parish in Aurora, nominated McLean for his work promoting cultural and language exchange between English and Spanish speaking parishioners.

“Rich is an advocate for everybody—no matter their color, creed, or culture,” Father Chilson said. He described McLean as a true disciple of Christ who never counts the cost of serving.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve,” McLean said as he was presented his award.

McLean said he takes his example for service from Christ, who asks us to love and care for our neighbors.

Ron Montoya, president and CEO of PlastiComm Telecommunications, was presented with the Amistad (Friendship) Award, which is given to an individual or organization that has supported Centro in its mission to educate and offer spiritual direction to those less fortunate.

Planning Committee chair Delio Tamayo presented the award to Montoya on behalf of the committee, which makes the selection. In receiving the award, Montoya thanked Centro staffers for making the mission of the institute a reality.

“This honor really goes to Archbishop Chaput and Archbishop Gomez for their advocacy of, their wisdom and their tenacity with Centro San Juan Diego,” he said. “This place would not be a reality without their support and the support of The Catholic Foundation.

“I also want to thank the many contributors, volunteers, teachers, staff and, of course, Luis Soto and his Hispanic Ministry team.”

“Centro San Juan Diego has become a place where we grow in our faith and that is precisely what we envisioned when we thought of this,” said Archbishop Gomez. “This is what Centro is all about.

“The world and the nation need God and that means for all of us to be active … in our different environments—to be apostles of Christ,” said Archbishop Gomez.