Students recognized with award for faith and service

This award was established by Jan and Peter O’Malley ’56 in 2010. Thomas Merton, for whom the award was named, was a Catholic monk whose writings examine the evolving relationship between reflective spirituality and one’s place in the dynamic outside world. Merton wrestled with how to be contemplative in a world of action. These young leaders of the Catholic community have committed themselves to ministering at Saint John’s and many of them have been involved in service work and retreats both independently and through Saint John’s.

Headmaster Michael Welch '78 remarked that each recipient is “coming to an awareness that what one does must be a means of both self-fulfillment and service to others.  And through this, Saint John’s is a better place and a better community because of his stance in the school and his contributions within our community.” All three recipients of the award have been heavily involved in both the school and Campus Ministry service programs throughout their previous years at Saint John’s.

Judy Conley and Nancy Lane, lifelong friends of Jan and Peter O’Malley, presented the awards to the 2015 recipients.

During the Mass, Bishop McManus also commissioned two dozen students as Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist. These young leaders of the Catholic community have committed themselves to ministering at Saint John’s and many of them have been involved in service work and retreats both independently and through Saint John’s.