April 4, 2011
The University of Notre Dame has announced that this year's Laetare Medal, arguably the most prestigious award in the U.S., will be given jointly to Sister of Mercy Mary Scullion and Joan Dawson McConnon for their ground-breaking work as the founders of Project H.O.M.E. ministries in Philadelphia. H.O.M.E. stands for "Housing. Opportunities for Employment. Medical Care. Education." In short, this ministry stands for Matthew 25.
At a time when many are casting unfounded aspersions on the work of religious women, and when the church in Philadelphia has been wracked with controversy because of the misdeeds of its hierarchs, how wonderful it is to see Notre Dame hold up the great work of Sr. Mary and Ms. McConnon.
