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

The Nativity Council of Catholic Women (NCCW) presents the Spirit of Mary Award on an annual basis to a young woman who has demonstrated the Spirit of Mary, Mother of God, through acts of faith, humility, generosity and kindness.  The award is an ongoing way for our parish family to honor and remember Irene Turner Christy.  Irene was a exemplary mother, wife, sister, friend, and true light of Jesus and reflection of Mother Mary while she was with us on earth.  Each year the award is presented during the Madonna dinner.

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 the Nativity School Leadership, The NCCW President, three NCCW representatives, the Associate Pastor or equivalent, and a member of the parish community at large for a total of seven members. The Committee may convene in person or may use other media to reach a decision by majority vote. Recipients may self-nominate or may be nominated by someone. The nomination form must be completed in full by the annual deadline set by that year’s NCCW based on the date of that year’s Madonna Dinner date. The nomination forms will be 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 across from the office in Nativity School.  The statue and annual award have been generously donated by the Turner and Christy Families in memory of Irene Turner Christy.

The nominees will be recognized at the NCCW Annual Madonna Dinner held in May.  All nominees will receive a $50 gift from the Truner Christy families, while  the award recipient will be presented with a cash prize of $1000. The majority of the cash prize is to be used for the student’s on-going educational needs with 20% to be donated in the student’s honor to a charity of her choice.
  
NCCW is grateful for the support of the Turner and Christy families, the benefactors of this award.

Nomination forms are available on this website, or in the back of the church and at the School and Parish offices.

Nominations are due two weeks prior to the Madonna dinner, and may be submitted on paper to the Parish Office or through the online form.

All nominees and the award recipient will be recognized at the annual NCCW Madonna Dinner.  

For more information please contact Susan Neuville at 651-925-9799 or susan.neuville@gmail.com.