Sister Kathleen Receives Father Judge Award

Sister Kathleen Lunsmann, IHM, President, Support Our Aging Religious, was the recipient of The Spirit of Father Judge Award at a reception on April 16 held at the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington, DC. The event celebrated the legacy of Father Thomas Augustine Judge, the founder of the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity, and supported Trinity Missions’ outreach in education, women’s empowerment, mission medical clinics, housing and fostering the faith across communities in need.

The event’s program noted the Spirit of Father Judge Award honors individuals who embody the charism and steadfast dedication exhibited by Father Judge during his lifetime. Father Judge was committed to revitalizing the faith of Catholics, especially immigrants, and to supporting the poor and abandoned, minority groups, and those experiencing discrimination.

Sister Kathleen Lunsmann, who has led SOAR! since 2010 was commended for her “relentless dedication that has enabled SOAR! to provide essential support to aging and infirm religious members across the United States.” SOAR! raises funds and awards grants to Catholic religious congregations, enabling them to improve living conditions for their aging religious, at a time when congregations have increasing numbers of elderly religious who worked for modest stipends over the years and now face rising healthcare costs.

After being presented with the Spirit of Father Judge Award, Sister Kathleen noted she has a nearly lifelong association with the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity, whom she first got to know at the order’s Shrine of St. Joseph in Stirling in her native New Jersey. She celebrated her 25th jubilee as a member of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary at that shrine, which was founded by Father Judge 100 years ago in 1924. “It’s truly a special and beautiful place,” she said.