Four winners named in the 2022 Delargey Awards

WelCom August 2022

Four people nominated for their outstanding work in Catholic youth ministry are winners in the 2022 Delargey Awards.

The awards are named in honour of Cardinal Reginald Delargey (1914–79) who was noted for his tireless work for young Catholics. The awards are presented by the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference every two years to recognise outstanding involvement in Catholic youth ministry. 

The 2022 winners are:

• Michelle Schaare of the Catholic Parish of New Plymouth, Advocacy category, for her passion for the employment, support, and governance of youth ministers. 
• Peter Fuga of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, Onehunga, Auckland, Advocacy, Catechesis, Community Life, Evangelisation, Leadership Development and Prayer and Worship categories, for his limitless energy in providing opportunities and inspiration for young people.
• Janette Bradbrook and Mike Fidow of the Catholic Parish of Christchurch East, Catechesis category, for their remarkable commitment to building youth ministry in their parish and diocese.

Bishop of Auckland Stephen Lowe, Secretary of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference – Te Huinga o ngā Pīhopa Katorika o Aotearoa, says the nomination letters for the four winners spoke of their deep investment, leadership, faith and remarkable contributions to the young people of the Church in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The Delargey Awards have been presented since 2004 to recognise long-term involvement in Catholic ministry with young people, to educate the community about ministry with young people, and to raise the profile of Catholic ministry with young people. 

The award takes the form of a small trophy presented to the winners.

Information about the 2022 winners is also online with a list of past award winners as well as a biography of Cardinal Delargey: catholic.org.nz/news/media-releases/2022-delargey-winners/