Great Preacher Award
Aquinas Institute of Theology established the Great Preacher Award in 1995.
The annual award is presented to an outstanding preacher whose pastoral
leadership has made the Catholic community stronger. Aquinas Institute considers
the Great Preacher Award a powerful means of renewing the Church and promoting
good preaching while sharing its Dominican charism. The award is intended not
only to sustain preachers of the Word but also to help Catholics become more
attune to hearing the Word.
2007 Father James A. Krings
Preaching is making a connection with the life stories of
my hearers their hopes and fears, their joys and sorrows ultimately
connecting them with the stories Jesus told in his own preaching. With these words,
Father James Krings describes his life-long dedication to the ministry of
preaching and his special devotion to touching the lives and hearts of his
hearers.
Ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Saint Louis in
1971, Father Krings holds a B.A. in Philosophy, a Master of Divinity degree, a
Masters Degree in Biblical Languages and Literature, and has done post graduate
study in Christology and Ecclesiology. He has also completed Clinical Pastoral
Education Residency.
During his priestly ministry, Father Krings has worked in
secondary Catholic education as a teacher, a campus minister, and an
administrator. His schools of service include Saint John the Baptist High School, Bishop DuBourg High School, and Christian Brothers College (C.B.C.). He
has also been involved in providing pastoral care to the sick, serving as a
chaplain at Saint Louis University Hospital and SSM Saint Mary's Health Center (Saint Louis), and Mission Director at SSM Saint Joseph Hospital (Kirkwood). In addition to his special ministries, Father Krings has served the parish
communities of Saint John the Baptist, Saint Matthias, Saint Patrick, Saint
Cronan, Saint Francis DeSales, and Saint Joseph (Manchester).
The enthusiasm and joy evident in Father Krings preaching
have made him both effective in proclaiming the Word and beloved by his
congregation. His preaching has touched many people in different circumstances young and old, sick and well, the joyful and the mourning. Father Krings
love for the ministry of preaching is a heartfelt gift to all who hear him and
that is why Aquinas Institute honors him with title of Great Preacher.
"Early in my priesthood, I made a commitment to preach at every Mass
grappling with God's Word gets very real when you encounter it daily." -
Father James Krings
