Newcastle couple to receive highest medal of honour from Pope Francis TONIGHT
On Monday 9 December at 7pm, the highest medal that can be awarded to lay people by the Papacy, ‘Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice’, will be presented to two Newcastle volunteers, Judy and Carl Nolan, at Corpus Christi Waratah’s Immaculate Conception Mass of Thanksgiving for Parish and School volunteers.
This rare and prestigious papal award was instituted by Pope Leo XIII in memory of his golden jubilee and is currently given for distinguished service to the church by lay people and clergy.
During the Year of Faith, Bishop Bill Wright petitioned the Holy See to bestow this award on Judy and Carl Nolanin recognition of their devoted, effective and distinguished service to the Church. By the act of decree and these medals the Holy See has recognised Judy and Carl’s extraordinary service, their generosity of mind and heart and their sharing of their gifts and talents to build up the local church. The conferral of this honour is also a beautiful and meaningful way in which Bishop Bill and the Church thank all volunteers and devoted parishioners in the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle for their witness to Christ in the practice of their faith in the Church.
The current version, dating from the pontificate of Pope Paul VI, depicts the Apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul. On the left arm of the cross is the inscription Pro Ecclesia (for the Church), on the right arm of the cross is Et Pontifice (and the Pope). At the point of the bottom arm of the cross is the coat of arms of the reigning Pope. At the points of the other arms are the small Greek crosses.
The Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle congratulates Judy and Carl and thanks God for the gifts that they and all our volunteers have brought to the Blackbutt North Parish.
The ‘Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice’ will be presented by Cardinal Cassidy to Judy and Carl Nolan at the Volunteer Mass on Monday 9 December at 7pm, 70 Platt St, Waratah.
