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 “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.” Gospel of St. Matthew, Chapter 25:35
This verse from the 25th chapter of Matthew is the inspiration for the Divine Word College’s annual Matthew 25 Award.
Each spring, the award recognizes a person engaged in front-line ministries with the “least among us.” Recipients are men and women who minister among immigrants and refugees, street people, AIDS victims, inner-city youth, prisoners, among those who live at the “margins” of our society and still lack their own public voice.
Recipients also have a connection to the local church—i.e. working within the Archdiocese of Dubuque or the greater Tri-State region, or with religious or family connections within the greater Dubuque area.
The award is presented with affirmation and support for the recipients but also to introduce Divine Word College students to role models of ministry. DWC students enroll in the college with a desire to give their lives in service to others in need. Matthew 25 Award recipients are doing just that.
Divine Word College is now accepting nominations for the 2009 Matthew 25 Award. Nomination forms are available from the college. Deadline for submittal is October 31. The award is presented in March.
The first award was presented in 2001 to Sr. Paula Schwendinger, PBVM. Sr. Paula is a native of Epworth, Iowa, and is a member of the Sisters of the Presentation of Dubuque. Her ministry is based in Wahneta, Florida, where she works as a pastoral assistant at Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission.
The Mission is just 45 minutes from Disney World but life in Wahneta is in stark contrast to the prosperity of Orlando. Sr. Paula ministers among the migrant farm workers and their families who call Florida home only part of the year. She is a translator, teacher and friend to many who long for a permanent home.
The 2002 award went to Mr. Joe Featherson of Dubuque. Featherston is Associate Director of Catholic Charities for the Archdiocese of Dubuque. Since the late 1970s, Featherston has welcomed over 300 immigrant families to the Archdiocese of Dubuque. He is instrumental in helping these families find housing, furnishings and things necessary to begin life in their new home.
Dr. Alan Hathaway received the 2003 award. Hathaway is a dentist from Davenport who travels to Brazil several times each year to provide free dental care to poor children. The program is known locally as ‘Campanha Sorriso’ – ‘Campaign of the Smile.’ During each visit, Hathaway treats over 400 children.
The 2004 award recipient is Rev. Ken Stecher. Stecher is originally from Peosta and is pastor of St. Athanasius Parish, Jesup, Iowa. In addition to his pastoral duties, Stecher is a counselor with Catholic Charities in Waterloo.
Stecher played a key role in settling hundreds of Bosnian immigrants in the Waterloo area. He collected furniture, school supplies and food for the refugees. He found affordable housing for individuals and families. In collecting items and finding living space, Stecher was conscious of maintaining the dignity of the immigrants. “They take pride in their homes and want things to be presentable.” He admits nothing was new, but he insisted that he wouldn’t give them anything he wouldn’t use or rent an apartment where he wouldn’t live.
Ms. Dee Maahs became the fifth recipient of the Matthew 25 Award in March of 2005. Maahs, a nurse in Dubuque, Iowa, was recognized for her missionary commitment of time and finances to bring medical care to the people of Haiti.
Maahs has traveled to the island nation nine times since 1996. Each year, Maahs and a committee of dedicated volunteers make the journey from Dubuque to Haiti to strengthen the twin parish relationship with the people of St. Monfort and to bring much needed medicines, vitamins, school supplies, seeds, care and comfort. Maahs regularly organizes medical mission trips to Haiti and is a catalyst for support among St. Anthony parishioners and the people of Northeast, Iowa.
Sr. Paula |
Mr. Featherson |
Dr. Hathaway |
Rev. Stecher |
Dee Maahs |
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