Friday, March 9, 2012 | St. Francis Hall, Washington DC
In honor of their lifelong service, Ambassador Thomas P. Melady and his wife Dr. Margaret Badum Melady received the seventh annual Anselm Moons, OFM Award. The Meladys were recognized for their work for peace and justice in the North American church and society, as well as for building bridges of peace and reconciliation between cultures, races and governments, particularly through their ambassadorial service to Burundi, Uganda and the Holy See.
Guests of honor included Archbishop of Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl, who gave the invocation, and Archbishop Emeritus of Washington Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who gave the keynote, “The Mission of St. Francis is Still the Road to Peace.” As an affiliated member of the Holy Name Province friars since 2006, McCarrick attended in his Franciscan habit.
Returned missioner Kristen Zielinski-Nalen (Class XXIV, Bolivia 2006-2009) was invited to share with the guests how her training and mission experience continue to impact her life and work today as justice, peace and integrity of creation (JPIC) director of St. Anthony of Padua parish in Camden, New Jersey. She is able to connect with the large population Spanish-speaking and immigrant parishioners, as well as build bridges of understanding between them and the rest of the community.
The branches of the Franciscan family tree were represented by the Conventuals, Capuchins and Order of Friars Minors; at least five different orders of Franciscan sisters; the Friars of the Atonement, a Third Order Regular organization; secular Franciscans from various fraternities; and members of other organizations such as Franciscan Action Network.
Videos
All ten videos from the evening in one playlist:
Meladys accept the award:
Cardinal McCarrick gives the keynote:
Returned missioner shares her experiences:
Photos
Click to see the image full-size. Thank you to Anthony De Cristofaro for the photographic coverage.
Thank you to our sponsors
Patroness St. Clare Level
Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province
Franciscan Missionary Union
Founder Level
Sandra Andreas McMurtie
Catholic Community of St. Francis of Assisi, Raleigh, NC
Tau Level
Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America
St. Anthony of Padua Church
Sacred Heart Friary
Sam and Judy Ferlita
Evelyn and John Mercantini
