Leadership in the Priesthood

The Vatican II 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.

Vatican II Award for Leadership in the Priesthood

Past Recipients:

1991 - Rev. Dennis Klemme
             Rev. Bernard Sippel

1992 - Rev. Kenneth Derfus
             Rev. Joseph Frederick

1993 - Rev. Joseph Hornacek
             Rev. Carrol Straub

1994 - Rev. Ralph Gross
             Rev. John Michael Murphy

1995 - Rev. Thomas Venne
             Rev. Edward Wieland

1996 - Rev. John Baumgartner
             Rev. James Brady

1997 -  Rev. Daniel Pakenham
              Rev. Robert Sampon

1998 - Rev. Leonard Barbian
             Rev. John Endejan

1999 - Rev. Richard Cerpich
             Rev. John (Jack) Kern

2000 - Msgr. John Francis Murphy
             Rev. Dennis Lewis

2001 - Rev. Philip Reifenberg
             Bishop Richard J. Sklba
             Rev. Albin Sowinski

2002 - Rev. James Connell
             Rev. Andrew Nelson

2003 - Monsignor T. George Gajdos
             Rev. Joseph Strenski

2004 - Rev. William Mackin
            Rev. Robert Stiefvater

2005 - Rev. Jerome Hudziak
             Rev. William Kohler

2006 - Rev. Paul Daniels
            Rev. Paul Esser

2007 - Rev. Charles Verhalen
             Rev. Patrick Heppe

2008 - Very Rev. Michael Newman
             Rev. Charles H. Wester

2009 - Rev. Joseph J. Juknialis
             Fr. Robert Gosma

2010 - Rev. Karl J. Schneider
            Rev. Curt Frederick

2011 - Rev. John Pulice
            Very Rev. Ronald Gramza

2012 - Rev. Melvin Michalski
             Very Rev. James Schuerman

2013 - Rev. Steven M. Avella
             Rev. Peter Drenzek

2014 - Rev. Thomas Suriano
             Rev. Jerome Herda

2015 - Very Rev. Timothy Kitzke
             Rev. Martin Pable, OFM Cap

2016 - Very Rev. David H. Reith
             Rev. Charles Schramm

2017 - Rev. Patrick Wendt
             Rev. Donald Zerkel

2018 - Very Rev. Richard Stoffel 
             Rev. Michael Hammer 

2019 -  Rev. Robert McGlinn  
             Rev. Michael Ignaszak 

2020 - Postponed due to COVID-19

2021 (June) - Rev. James Volkert
                        Rev. Donald Thimm
                        Rev. Ken Omernick

2021 (September) - Rev. Mike Strachota
                                  Rev. Robert (Bob) Bales

2022 - Rev. Robert Fictum
            Rev. Dick Mirsberger

2023 - Rev. Dennis R. Ackeret
            Rev. Dave Filut