The awards were established in 1991 to honor men, women and young adults who exemplify the Catholic Church’s vision set forth in the Second Vatican Council.

The recipients of the 2009 Vatican II Awards are:

Service in Administration – Steven J. Smith has used his professional expertise earned while serving as chairman and CEO of Journal Communications and lent it to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee’s Faith In Our Future Campaign as the chair of the Communication Committee. His professional skills were also utilized during the planning of the redirection of the Catholic Herald and while serving as an active Schools Advisory board member. Steven belongs to St. John Vianney Parish, Brookfield.

Service to the Church – Maureen Gallagher spent 22 years serving parishes and schools within the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. She also served as director of the Waukesha Catholic School System and worked with a national consulting firm conducting planning for parishes, schools and religious communities. Maureen has also given to the Church through her written and published materials on life-long catechesis. Maureen is a member of St. Anthony on the Lake, Pewaukee.

Service in Communication – Vue Yang has worked with the Hmong-Catholic community to bridge the cultural gap and foster an understanding of what it means to be a good Catholic and maintain a strong connection to Hmong heritage. He organizes monthly Hmong Masses, serves on the parish council, teaches English at his parish and works to keep Hmong culture and traditions alive through the Hmong Sheboygan Radio Program, promotion of publications and the Hmong Union Market. Vue belongs to St. Peter Claver Parish, Sheboygan.

Service in Ecumenism – Margaret A. Bemis was inspired by her husband, a practicing Methodist, to get involved with ecumenical work. Margaret and her husband attend the Ecumenical Community Education Services, held for three to four weeks each year. Margaret also actively serves her parish through work with interfaith communities, the promotion of ecumenism through education about other faith traditions, and other unity opportunities. Additionally, she belongs to the Daughters of Isabella, an organization of retired women who serve those in need within the parish. Margaret is a member of Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, Random Lake.

Service in Education – Kathleen A. Cepelka Ph.D. credits her life-long desire to educate to the Sisters of St. Agnes who taught her in elementary school, high school and college. Currently, Kathleen serves as associate dean and director of teacher education at Marquette University, Milwaukee. She is also an active member of the following: Pius XI High School Board of Directors, the Dominican High School Leadership Transition Team, Saint Clare Center Advisory Board, Capuchin Province of St. Joseph Public Relations Ministry, Schools’ Theology and Faith Formation Committee as well as many more. In addition to her current work, she has spent over 40 years serving Catholic schools through different positions. Kathleen belongs to Gesu Parish, Milwaukee.

Service to Families – Deacon Ralph W. Kornburger Jr. has tirelessly supported marriage preparation and enrichment through his work to help interfaith/interchurch couples find common ground. He co-developed the Interfaith/Interchurch Engaged Enrichment Programs and has worked with the Marriage Task Force Resolution. Together, Ralph and his wife, Jane, serve as personal role models through their marriage and family life. Professionally, Deacon Ralph also promotes these things through Marriage Ministry on the parish and diocesan levels. Deacon Ralph serves as deacon at St. Catherine’s Parish, Milwaukee.

Service in Liturgy – Judith A. Straus spent her professional career focusing on the liturgy. She has used a variety of different musical styles to reach all parishioners through the Mass, instituted choir exchanges to introduce her parish’s music to others, created a “Sister Act” group that entertained for five years, held musical fundraisers and worked closely with schools to foster their involvement in Church services. In 1976, Judith was named the first Parish Music Director in Sheboygan, Wis. In 1992, she was placed on the Sheboygan Music Wall of Fame for her contributions. Judith is currently a member of St. Dominic Catholic Parish, Sheboygan.

Service to the Missions – Patricia Parks has devoted her life to the helping the less fortunate in Ecuador. In 1967, her sister, Sister Miguel Conway BVM, traveled to Ecuador as a missionary. Since then, Patricia has handled the stateside activities for the Working Boys Center, a Catholic organization that committed to helping working boys and their families. She also founded Family Unity International, a not-for-profit organization that further supports the Working Boys Center. Additionally, Patricia’s own children all served as volunteers in Ecuador after graduation from college. Her mission work has helped Patricia to spread the Good Word and allow the poor to know Christ’s love through those who serve them. Patricia is presently a member at St. Mary’s Visitation Parish, Elm Grove.

Service to the Priesthood – Fr. Joseph J. Juknialis has served his parishioners by empowering them to “be the Church” for over 40 years. He has worked hard to impart the value of preaching well and the preparation it requires to the many seminarians he has taught at the St. Francis de Sales Seminary, Milwaukee. Additionally, he has spent 15 years writing reflections for the Catholic Herald, focusing primarily on helping people look beyond the surface of faith in their lives. Currently, Fr. Juknialis is pastor at Shepherd of the Hills Parish, Eden.

Service to the Priesthood - Fr. Robert Gosma spent over 50 years teaching religion in grade schools and Religious Education Programs. During those 50 years, he also served as a pastoral associate or pastor of various parishes in southeastern Wisconsin. He helped those parishes grow in the spirit of Vatican II through emphasis on developing parish ministry staff, promoting strong outreach programs and enabling laity to share in pastoral ministries. Although he retired, Fr. Gosma is presently serving as the temporary administrator at St. Mary Immaculate Conception Parish, Burlington.

Service in Society – Fessahaye Mebrahtu has been involved with African immigrant and refugee communities, in the areas of pastoral outreach and social services, for the past 25 years. He has worked to ensure African immigrants have access to resources, employment and education when they arrive in the United States. The Pan-African Community Association formed out of his parish’s Pan-African Committee, and Fessahaye currently serves as the association’s executive director. When he first began his work with the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, he was a youth minister. Today, he serves as the Christian formation director at his parish. Fessahaye is also a national consultant to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops serving on the Pastoral Care for Migrants, Refugees and Travelers Committee and is a member of the Commission for Black Catholic Ministry. Fessahaye presently belongs to All Saints Parish, Milwaukee, and St. Martin de Porres Parish, Milwaukee.

Youth Service to the Church – Ryan Jonas has served as a Kindergarten, second grade and confirmation catechist for the past four years. He has also been a confirmation retreat leader. In addition to his ministry work, Ryan has also provided technical support for his parish. He has helped the parishioners and parish staff with computers, projectors, video cameras and PowerPoint presentations. He also set up a phone tree system, coordinated the technical aspects of parish trivia nights, auctions and presentations. Ryan is currently a member of St. Alphonsus Parish, Greendale.

Youth Service in Education – Julie Twohig found inspiration to share her faith with others while participating in her parish’s Lifeteen program during high school. Once in college, Julie became a member of her parish’s teen program so she could encourage young people to find out how amazing “walking with the Lord” can be and to “stand up for their faith.” Julie’s own positive experiences with mission trips led her to start teen mission trips within her own parish. Through those trips, teens learn the true meaning of service and how to fully give of themselves. Julie currently belongs to Shepherd of the Hills Parish, Eden.

Youth Service to Society – Kathleen Geraghty has organized and participated in tutoring programs at Mother of Good Counsel Grade School and Pius XI High School. She also represents the youth at her parish council’s meetings. Katie participated in Nehemiah Project’s Youth Leadership Institute, worked with a crime prevention agency to better her parish’s neighborhood and participated in other service-based projects as part of the National Honor Society. Kathleen is a member of Mother of Good Counsel Parish, Milwaukee.