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

2024 - Fr. Christopher Klusman
           Fr. Luke Strand

2025 - Fr. Charlie Conley
           Rev. Ryan Pruess

2026 -  Fr. William Stanfield
            Fr. Edward Cook