Sister Delia Dowling, SSND Recipient of the Seton-Sellinger Medal

Sister Delia Dowling, a seasoned and awarded educator and administrator who has inspired countless young people through her dedicated instruction. She co-founded Sisters Academy of Baltimore in 2004, with the goal of educating young women of promise so they could realize their full potential, and she has served as its president since. In 2002, Sister Delia accepted the challenge of directing a feasibility study for a new school in southwest Baltimore. This study led to the decision by the Sisters of Mercy, Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, Sisters of Bon Secours, and School Sisters of Notre Dame to sponsor a new Catholic middle school for girls, grades 5 through 8. This new school ultimately became Sisters Academy of Baltimore. To say that Sisters Academy, which has provided scholarships for each student since its inception, has thrived under Sister Delia’s leadership is a vast understatement. In 19 years, Sisters Academy of Baltimore has seen 99.5% of its students on track to complete high school or earn their diploma. Many have earned college degrees and some have earned master’s degrees.

What Sister Delia’s faith, vocation, and ministry mean to her, in her own words: “My faith, instilled and nurtured by my family, my vocation as a School Sister of Notre Dame, and my ministry as an educator, are the three defining elements of my life, giving me a sense of purpose and mission leading to service…The mission is so much more than any one of us. Each person in our care has been given to us through the Spirit of God. You have been chosen. Be humble. Be grateful. Be prepared to work hard in God’s service.”

Kelly Obermayer, Recipient of the Lange-Mortel Medal

As executive director of Mary’s Home Maryland, Kelly leads her team in providing a safe, prolife home environment and holistic program of services for expectant mothers in crisis and their children in need. “I wanted to move to Maryland to be near my son, so I started looking at jobs here,” Kelly says. “I saw the posting for Mary’s Home, but dismissed it. I did not feel qualified for it – and it scared me in a sense of ‘how can I truly walk with these moms and make a difference for them?’ But God kept putting it in front of me.” “Kelly seeks to truly know and love each mom and baby that come to live at Mary’s Home,” Erin Younkins, director for the archdiocese’s Office of Life, Justice, and Peace, who nominated Kelly wrote. “She tailors a nurturing environment to draw out their best potential and empower them as individuals to discover their value in Christ, always seeking out new ways to support them in their journey to independence.”

What Kelly’s faith and vocation mean to her, in her own words: “God wanted me here, in this position. He called me here for the mothers and the babies, and He wanted me here for me.”

Reverend Francis Ouma, Recipient of the Neumann-Valenzano Medal

As pastor at St. Patrick Church in Havre de Grace, Father Ouma has made evangelization his top priority. In his short time since arriving, Father Ouma has significantly grown the parish’s roster of registered families and increased attendance at Mass by a phenomenal 43%. Additionally, he has re-established daily Mass at the parish and initiated nine new parish programs of outreach and evangelization. Father Ouma’s outreach to the next generation of Catholics is particularly noteworthy as he has invited young people to embrace the roles of lector and usher at Masses and has organized fellowship events where they are encouraged to bring their friends, Catholic and non-Catholic alike. That being said, Father Ouma’s innovative approach to evangelization has flourished throughout the entirety of the St. Patrick parish community. Mens and Ladies groups have been formed, as have support groups for survivors of loss or for family members of those suffering from Alzheimer’s.

What Father Ouma’s vocation mean to him, in his own words: “My vocation means everything to me. Since I was five years old, I have dreamed of becoming a parish priest. To me, the priesthood is about making the mystery of the Incarnation known to the world, a critical bridge to bring Christ and faith to humanity and offer healing to the hurting through the sacraments, prayers, formation, and comforting words of the Lord.”

Walt & Diane Conolley, Recipients of the O’Neill-Baldwin Medal

It is a fitting testament to Walt and Diane Conolley’s profound commitment to their faith that our Medals of Honor Nomination Committee received five completed forms, from five independent sources, in support of honoring them with this medal. Former pastors and fellow volunteers all came forward to advocate on their behalf, with good reason. At St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Ellicott City, where they are parishioners, Mr. and Mrs. Conolley have served as sacristans and on its bereavement committee, which Diane continues today, preparing and distributing hot meals to grieving families after funeral receptions. Their service, however, extends beyond their parish doors, to the Towson University Newman Center. At this hub of evangelization for Towson’s young people, the Conolleys have for years given significantly of their time, talents, and treasure. “Walt and Diane are bright lights in the faith community,” Father Kevin Ewing, Chaplain at the Newman Center said, “with their warm welcoming of all students. They offer inspiring witness, particularly to young people. No task is too small as they work tirelessly to organize, operate, and care for this spiritual home.” What Walt and Diane’s faith and vocation have meant to them, in their own words: “Our ministry gives us the opportunity to share our blessings with wonderful young people. It is a privilege to be able to encourage them and share with them the love of Christ. God gives each of us gifts to share with others. We discovered gifts we didn’t know He gave us through our service to the students. If you seek to serve others, we believe you will discover unknown gifts also.”

Sherita Thomas, Recipient of the Joubert-Miller Medal

Serving as interim director for the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Office of Black Catholic Ministries during the coronavirus pandemic, Sherita held this office together and helped advance the local Church, especially for the Black Community, under difficult circumstances. Sherita organized the archdiocesan Racial Task Force, presiding over community consultations, making informed recommendations, and establishing the Coordinating Council for Racial Justice. Committed to ensuring that the Black Community has a leadership role in archdiocesan life, Sherita often facilitates difficult but necessary conversations if the Church is to continue to evolve.

What Sherita’s vocation means to her, in her own words: “My vocation means to follow God’s call to serve Him in the world. My faith is a gift that brings me in a loving union with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This gift enables me to both hear the Word of God and try my best to live it. I enjoy serving God. I came to focus on my ministry after much prayer and reflection. I also had a desire to be a role model for my children and encourage the sanctity and dignity of human life. I felt the call to live the words as described in Micah 6:8 to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God. The words of Shirley Chisholm also always in my heart. “Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth.”

Deacon Edison Morales, Carlos Arias, Jose Ezequiel Melo & Jose G. Ramirez, Recipients of the Joubert-Miller Medal

Early in 2020, the onset of the coronavirus pandemic quickly highlighted the economic disparities that permeate our society. This was particularly evident within our local Hispanic communities. In southeast Baltimore City, Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Highlandtown sought to help those in their community who were suffering. This effort was led by 

Deacon Morales, Carlos Arias, Jose Melo and Jose Ramirez. They committed themselves to ensuring that those effected were served. They discerned the need for greater advocacy for the parish’s Hispanic Community and acted. Each as he was able, provided tireless assistance. 

They risked their own health to personally deliver food and other essentials to those homebound, and checked on the less fortunate. They were able to cross language barriers to those they served, and as a result, they were able to earn their trust and forge bonds of safety.

What their service means to them, in their own words:

“For me, personally it means to live the gifts that I received during my baptism. It is to do God’s work no matter where I am. Because all I do through my ministry is the will of God,” Deacon Edison Morales said.

“For me, it means to be closer to God and my neighbors,” Jose Melo said.

“My faith is the strength that God gives me to be able to help my neighbor, to be supportive of their needs, especially in the time of pandemic where there was a lot of uncertainty and need, where many people were not prepared to survive,” Carlos Arias said.

“My faith is what I base my life on, and I have been that way since I was a child,” Jose Ramirez said.

Dr. Joseph Orlando and Mr. Gilbert Hoffman, Recipients of the DuBourg-Pacione Medal

Gil and Joe were both instrumental in establishing The Catholic Men’s Fellowship of Maryland (CMF-MD), which blossomed from a men’s prayer group at Church of the Immaculate Conception in Towson. In those early days, Gil worked tirelessly to establish this group and its board finding early success in reaching consensus on their goals. Utilizing his innate talents of humor, good sense, logic, and generally excellent communication skills, he was able to focus everyone’s attention on one unifying principle: maintaining and promoting Catholicism in these challenging times. Joe, then took what Gil had started, and, as they say, “ran with it,” growing this parish-centered group, into a massive and diverse gathering of devout Catholic men, who strive to preserve and promote the faith. Notwithstanding his busy surgical practice, Joe spent countless hours obtaining speakers and venues for CMF-MD conferences while also recruiting new board members likely to grow the Fellowship and advance its mission.

What their faith and service mean to them, in their own words:

“The plan [for CMF-MD] was for the evangelization of Catholic men and for them to return to their families and parishes to do the same, to share with other men the joy of a personal relationship with Our Lord and with His Church,” Joe Orlando said.

“Faith is really the blueprint for living that reaches into all areas of life that affect a man: his core beliefs, his work, his play and ultimately, his legacy. We must fight the good fight with brothers in Christ by our side, strengthened by the Word and Sacraments,” Gil Hoffman said.