The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception was filled on Sunday, Dec. 8 for the bestowal of diocesan honors as the Springfield diocese commemorates 160 years of the Catholic faith in central Illinois.

That day 144 people (individuals and couples) received the Magnificat Award given in recognition of extraordinary service by religious and laity in their parishes, ministries and apostolates to the diocesan church. Additionally, nine priests were awarded the Bishop James A. Griffin Award. A number of priests, members of religious communities, as well as family members and friends were there in support of the honorees.

Bishop Thomas John Paprocki was assisted at the liturgy by Deacon Patrick O’Toole and Deacon Larry Smith. Father Brian Alford was master of ceremonies. Msgr. Carl Kemme, vicar general, and Marlene Mulford, chancellor, were also part of the presentations.

The Magnificat Award was first established by then-Bishop George Lucas during the 150th anniversary of the diocese. The religious and lay people were honored for “building up the church in visible ways for which we give special thanks to God,” said Bishop Paprocki in his homily. “Their faithful service is a source of inspiration to all of us as we seek to be good stewards of those gifts that God has been so generous in sharing with us.

“Our recognition of these individuals takes nothing away from the many less visible, and in many cases, invisible contributions made by countless others throughout the 160-year history of our diocese,” he said. “Although we do not mention the names of these other individuals, our gratitude extends equally to them as well, for even the smallest prayer or act of service strengthens the church from which each member benefits.”

The Bishop James A. Griffin Award was established by Bishop Paprocki for diocesan priests who have given long and meritorious service to the diocese. The award, he explained in his homily, was named after Bishop Griffin, who “served as diocesan bishop from 1924 to 1948 and who built this cathedral.”

“Their ministry as priests has been one of service to the faithful of the diocese, particularly in the celebration of the sacraments,” Bishop Paprocki said. “The sacraments impart to us the gift of sanctifying grace, which gives us the tools necessary to carry out the work of building up the body of Christ.

“… As with the recipients of the Magnificat Award, the recognition of our priest honorees takes nothing away from the many other priests of the diocese who labor faithfully and selflessly for the glory of God, the building up of the church and the salvation of souls,” he said. “While we give thanks in a special ways for the nine priest recipients of the Bishop James A. Griffin Award, we also take this opportunity to give thanks to God for all of the priests of our diocese, living and deceased, who have responded to the call to be of service here in our diocese.”

Bishop Paprocki said that the Springfield diocese can look forward with hope to the future. “We pray that the people of our diocese, inspired by the example of our honorees, may respond more wholeheartedly to the call to contribute in their own way to the growth of this local church,” he said.

“We also pray that more young men may have the courage to respond to the call to be of service to this diocese in the ministry of the priesthood, so that the faithful may continue to be nourished by God’s grace, enabling them to continue the service to the church.”

Bishop Paprocki concluded his homily by asking people to “turn to Mary today as we give thanks for the blessings that God has bestowed upon us and ask for her continued intercession for our diocese, that we might imitate her in joyfully cooperating with God’s will as the church continues to be built up on the journey toward her fulfillment in the glory of Heaven.”

Following the liturgy, many of those gathered had their photos taken with Bishop Paprocki and around the Cathedral. They also enjoyed a light reception held in their honor in the Cathedral atrium.