Presented by Friends of Thomas Aquinas Sponsors
Don and Nancy Ross
Thursday, November 14, 2024
6:00 pm Cocktails
followed by dinner and presentation of the awards.
Hilton St. Louis Frontenac
1335 S Lindbergh Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63131
HONORING
Very Reverend Chris Martin, VE, DMin,
and
St. Margaret of Scotland Parish Music Ministry
Great Preacher Event Information
Honorees
Fr. Chris Martin was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of St. Louis in 2006. Since his ordination, he has demonstrated exceptional dedication and skill in various roles within the Church, showcasing his commitment to evangelization and preaching. His journey began as the associate pastor of St. Joseph Cottleville, where he quickly became known for his heartfelt homilies and his ability to connect with parishioners of all ages.
As the Vocation Director for the Archdiocese, Fr. Martin played a pivotal role in encouraging and guiding young men considering the priesthood. His leadership at the Kolbe House of Discernment helped many young men discern God's call in their lives. Fr. Martin's administrative acumen was evident during his tenure as the administrator of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, where he successfully navigated the challenges of parish leadership while fostering a strong sense of community. His subsequent role as the Vice-Rector of Cardinal Glennon College allowed him to shape the formation of seminarians, ensuring that future priests were well-prepared for their ministry.
An annual speaker for the Steubenville Youth Conferences, Fr. Martin has reached thousands of young Catholics each year, inspiring them to live out their faith with passion and commitment. His dynamic presentations and relatable messages have made him a sought-after speaker at these conferences, known for igniting a fervent love for Christ among the youth.
Fr. Martin's academic achievements further complement his pastoral work. In 2020, he received a Doctorate in Ministry from the Catholic University of America, enhancing his theological expertise and deepening his understanding of pastoral care.
Currently serving a s a board member of the Roman Catholic Foundation of Eastern Missouri, Fr. Martin continues to influence the broader Catholic community. His recent appointment as the Vicar for Strategic Planning and now as the Vicar for Parish Mission and Vitality by Archbishop Rozanski positions him at the forefront of the Archdiocese's efforts to navigate the future, ensuring that the Church remains a vibrant and relevant force in the lives of its faithful. When speaking of the work he leads for the Archdiocese, Fr Martin emphasizes the importance of prayer and of listening - listening to the counsel of the Holy Spirit as it works and speaks through the Body of Christ.
St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church sits on the corner of Flad Avenue and 39th Street in the Shaw neighborhood of St. Louis; the parish school is four blocks away. Several decades ago, the city and the parish - whose proud history had begun on Christmas Day 1899 - were experiencing dramatic changes. Interstate highways cut through city communities; civil rights laws opened new possibilities of integration, welcomed by some, and feared by others. And the "aggiornamento" of Vatican II invigorated - and in some cases, alienated - the Catholic faithful. Many St. Margaret parishioners worked doggedly to ensure that the neighborhood, school, and parish would survive well into the future.
In 1980, Teresa (Terri) Merideth gathered a few singers and instrumentalists and began introducing the music and hymns that would shape the parish for generations. Three years later, Peter Fisher Hesed was invited as a pianist and collaborator, and he officially filled the position of Pastoral Associate for Music and Liturgy in 1995. In 2010, Steve Neale, who had been a student of Peter's, took the reins as Choir Director upon Terri's retirement, and in 2022, Orin Johnson became Director of Music and Liturgy upon Peter's retirement. All four are still active in shaping the musical and liturgical life of the parish.
Through the years, SMOS Music Ministry has been a remarkable gathering of faith, dedication, and talent, all supported well by a succession of pastors, school principals and families, and generations of worshipers in the pews.
Influenced by the experience of family life, and with attention to Catholic social teaching, over the past nearly fifty years and looking ahead to the future, SMOS Music Ministry strives to foster:
- a sense of service and commitment,
- collaborative ministry,
- joyful musicianship,
- inclusive and creative repertoire,
- prayer, faith sharing, and mutual support,
- dedication to a liturgical ethos and full engagement of the assembly, and
- a true incarnation of the Word, shared throughout not only the church building but also the community at large.
Tickets
To purchase tickets to the 30th Anniversary Great Preacher Award event on Thursday, November 14, 2024 please follow this link.
Sponsorships
Great Preacher Award Sponsorship Opportunities
Presenting Sponsorship - Friends of Thomas Aquinas - $25,000
- Two tables of ten, preferred seating
- Sponsorship name listed on event invitation
- Sponsorship name and logo acknowledged in the event program and on the Aquinas Institute website
- Full page color ad in event program with your logo and messaging
- Two exclusively branded social media posts
Friends of Dominic - $10,000
- Two tables of ten, preferred seating
- Sponsorship name and logo acknowledged in the event program and on the Aquinas Institute website
- Full page color ad in event program with your logo and messaging
- Two exclusively branded social media posts
Friends of Catherine of Siena - $5,000
- One table of ten, preferred seating
- Sponsorship name and logo acknowledged in the event program and on the Aquinas Institute website
- Half page color ad in event program with your logo and messaging
- One exclusively branded social media post
Friends of Albert the Great Table Sponsorship- $2,500
- One table of ten, preferred seating
- Sponsorship name acknowledged in the event program
* Required
Past Honorees
1995 Reverend James Cormack, C.M.
1996 Joseph Cardinal Bernardin +
1997 Monsignor James T. Telthorst +
1998 Reverend John F. Kavanaugh, SJ +
1999 Most Reverend Paul A. Zipfel +
2000 Reverend Gary Braun
2001 Sister Joan Delaplane, OP
2002 Wilton Cardinal Gregory
2003 Reverend Donald R. Wester
2004 Reverend Joseph Kempf
2005 Monsignor William A. Drennan +
2006 Reverend Dale Wunderlich
2007 Reverend James Krings +
2008 Monsignor Patrick Hambrough
2009 Monsignor Vincent Bommarito
2010 Francis Cardinal George, OMI +
2011 Reverend Mr. Dennis Chitwood
2012 Most Reverend J. Terry Steib, SVD
2013 Monsignor Michael E. Turek, VF
2014 Bishop Emeritus Robert J. Shaheen +
2015 Most Reverend Robert Barron
2016 Monsignor William J. Hitpas and Reverend John Rogers Vien
2017 Reverend Edward Stanger and Reverend Jeffrey H. Goeckner
2018 Monsignor John Costello + and Reverend Matthew O’Toole
2019 Reverend Charles E. Bouchard, OP and Reverend Craig Holway
2020 Reverend Harry Byrne, OP and Reverend Jude Siciliano, OP
2021 Sister Mary Catherine Hilkert, OP and Reverend Ralph Siefert, SM +
2022 Monsignor James Ramacciotti and Reverend Edward Foley, OFM Cap
2023 Most Reverend Mitchell T. Rozanski and Reverend Paul Whittington, OP
Event Program Ads
Information for Event Program Advertising
Artwork submission deadline: October 14th
For ad design services, submit content no later than October 10th
For Congratulations Wall messages, submit copy no later than October 14th
Program Trim Size: 7" x 9"
| Ad Size | Width | Height | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Page | 7" | 9" | $500 |
| Half Page (vertical) | 3.125" | 8.5" | $300 |
| Half Page (horizontal) | 6.5" | 4.125" | $300 |
| Quarter Page | 3.125" | 4.125" | $150 |
| Congratulations Wall Message* | $50 |
* - thirty (30) word limit
Full Page Bleed Ads: Extend bleed .125” past trim on all sides. Keep all live matter .25” away from trim edges.
Digital Specifications: High resolution, press-optimized PDF files with crop marks required. Fonts must be embedded. Convert all colors to CMYK, minimum 300 dpi.
Ad Design Service: Send copy, logo and/or photos. Logos should be provided in vector format or high resolution jpg. Logos and images should CMYK and a minimum of 300 dpi.
* Required