Papal medals for Catholic Foundation members

Kevin O’Connor received his papal medal from Cardinal John Dew.

Two founding members of the Catholic Foundation of the Archdiocese of Wellington, Henry Ward and Kevin O’Connor, who retired from the foundation in 2018, have each received a papal award for their services to the Archdiocese.

Kevin O’Connor received his award from Cardinal John Dew at the foundation’s Annual Mass, on 26 June this year, and Henry Ward received his award from Fr Michael McCabe at Mass on Saturday 17 August, at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Waikanae, of the Parish of Our Lady of Kāpiti.

Cardinal John Dew noted the incredible input of both men and their foresight in setting up the foundation and raising an enormous amount of funds to assist the Archdiocese’s work through the Archbishop of the day, for which he and others were enormously grateful. Cardinal John said both men have been totally committed and supportive of the Archbishop and made many projects and works possible.

Henry Ward, pictured second from left, with Robert Noble Beasley (Catholic Foundation Chairman), Pam Ward and Fr Michael McCabe. Photos: Supplied

Henry and Kevin each referred to their passion of and commitment to the foundation concept. They set funding raising goals that were well exceeded. They have both lived by the creed that ‘we all have an incumbent onus to leave things in a better condition than what they were’. They have truly done that and have now passed the mantle to others to ensure their work for membership recruitment, funding-raising and funding projects continues.

catholicfoundation.org.nz