Honoring Outstanding Young Women of Faith, Character and Service to Others

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Every year, the Nativity Council of Catholic Women presents the Spirit of Mary Award to a young woman who has demonstrated the Spirit of Our Blessed Mother, Mary, through acts of faith, humility, generosity and kindness.  

The award is a way for our parish family to honor and remember lifelong parishioner Irene Turner Christy. Irene was a exemplary mother, wife, sister, and friend. She was a true light of Jesus and reflection of Mother Mary while she was with us on earth.  

The award is presented to a graduating high school senior during the annual Madonna Dinner in May.
 

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The recipient shall be:
  

• A member of Nativity Parish in grade 12
• A student in strong academic standing with a minimum grade point average of 3.0
• A student who participates in one or more co-curricular activities
• A student who has actively demonstrated volunteerism and service to others  

The award winner will be determined by a Spirit of Mary Committee comprised of a representative of Nativity School Leadership, the NCCW President, three NCCW representatives, the Associate Pastor or equivalent, and a member of the parish community at large. Recipients may self-nominate or may be nominated by someone. The nomination form must be completed in full by the annual deadline set by the NCCW. Nomination forms are the property of the NCCW and will be held for one year. 

The recipient’s name will be added to the Spirit of Mary plaque that is on display next to the Madonna statue in Nativity School.  The statue and annual award have been generously donated by the Turner and Christy Families in memory of Irene Turner Christy.

Nominees will be recognized at the NCCW Annual Madonna Mass in May. All nominees will receive a $50 gift from the Turner and Christy families, while  the award recipient will be presented with a cash prize of $1,000. The majority of the cash prize is to be used for the student’s ongoing educational needs with 20 percent to be donated in the student’s honor to a charity of her choice.

The nomination form is available HERE, or in the back of the church and at the School and Parish offices.

NCCW is grateful for the support of the Turner and Christy families, the benefactors of this award.
 

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For more information please contact Committee Chair Peggy Stang: peggykstang@gmail.com.