For Immediate Release:
July 18, 2023
Archbishop Lori to recognize 17 missionary disciples with papal honors issued by the Vatican
Honors spotlight contributions by the faithful in evangelization, education and service
Baltimore, MD – At the request of Archbishop William E. Lori, His Holiness, Pope Francis has recognized 17 of the laity, clergy and religious of the Archdiocese. These missionary disciples are being acknowledged for their efforts to rebuild and reimagine parish life, guide the formation of priests, strengthen Catholic schools, ensure the protection of children and serve as witnesses to Christ’s love in underserved communities.
The Archdiocese of Baltimore will confer these papal honors for the first time in more than a decade at a prayer service this fall at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland.
“Our honorees for pontifical orders and medals demonstrate through their lives’ work the ways the Church is alive in mission and ministry throughout the Archdiocese of Baltimore,” Archbishop Lori said. “These women and men have given of themselves – by nurturing, inspiring and protecting young people, by building vibrant communities of faith and by shepherding a new generation of priests and religious servants.
“The Holy See extends these highly distinguished recognitions in gratitude for their contributions in education, evangelization and service to their brothers and sisters in Christ.”
Ten of the honorees will receive the Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice which was first issued in 1888 by Pope Leo XIII. The medal features a gold Greek cross with the images of apostles Peter and Paul and name of the reigning pope in Latin.
The Order of St. Gregory the Great will be bestowed on six honorees. This Order was founded by Pope Gregory XVI in 1831 and comes with an eight-pointed, gold-rimmed red enamel cross with a center medallion in blue enamel with the image of Saint Gregory the Great.
One of the honorees, Sister Rita Michelle Proctor, superior general of the Oblate Sisters of Providence, will receive the Benemerenti Medal. Sister Rita Michelle previously received the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice.This honor was first bestowed in 1791 by Pope Pius VI and is adorned with an image of Christ on a gold Greek cross, along with a depiction of the tiara, crossed keys and the papal shield.
The public is invited to a Celebration of Solemn Lauds (Morning Prayer) on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 9:30 a.m. at the Cathedral where Archbishop Lori will confer the honors.
Order of St. Gregory the Great
Joseph F. Murphy Jr.*
The late Joseph F. Murphy Jr., a former chief judge of the Maryland Court of Special Appeals, served for nine years on the Archdiocese of Baltimore Child Abuse Independent Review Board. After retiring from the bench with nearly 30 years of distinguished service, Murphy joined the panel as chairman in 2011. The board noted that Murphy’s wise counsel and dedication in pursuit of the values set forth in the Charter for the Protection of Children continued to strengthen a culture of protection in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. *While the Order of St. Gregory the Great is not issued posthumously, the Vatican received Archbishop Lori’s petition for the papal honor before Judge Murphy’s death in July 2022.
Brian C. Rogers
While leading investments for a global money management firm, Brian C. Rogers chaired the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Child Abuse Independent Review Board, as one of his many volunteer contributions to the Church and his community.
James B. Sellinger
Supporting Catholic schools, the mission of the Archdiocese of Baltimore and various philanthropic endeavors, James B. Sellinger has given greatly of his time, talent and treasure to share Christ’s love near and far. Sellinger served as the first-ever chancellor of education for the Archdiocese’s Department of Catholic schools for eight years until his retirement in June 2022. His work with the archdiocese followed a 35-year career as an executive at IBM Corporation. Sellinger steered the Catholic schools in the archdiocese through historic challenges, including the global shutdown due to COVID-19.
Francine Sellinger
Francine Sellinger has been a tireless volunteer and advocate for causes central to the mission and ministry of the Church – from fostering access to an academically excellent, Christ-centered education in Catholic schools to serving as an extraordinary minister of communion to people who are sick or homebound.
Lisa Stromberg
A driving force in Lisa Stromberg’s life has been increasing access to high quality education for children from all backgrounds – including access to a Catholic education. With service on the boards for Notre Dame Preparatory School and Mother Seton Academy, Stromberg lends her passion and expertise to ensure children benefit from the transformative power of education.
William “Bill” J. Stromberg
Recognized for distinguished service, William “Bill” J. Stromberg was president and longtime member of Catholic Charities of Baltimore’s Board of Directors and he is currently co-chair of its ongoing capital campaign, the largest in the Maryland organization’s nearly 100-year history.
Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross
Father Melvin “Mel” C. Blanchette, P.S.S.
Described as a deeply dedicated and thoughtful priest, Father Melvin “Mel” C. Blanchette positively impacted the formation of countless priests and religious throughout America and Canada. His distinguished career includes service as rector of the Theological College at the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C., from 2007 to 2011.
Tom Corcoran
Tom Corcoran looked around his home parish and began to study ways to transform the experience for the faithful to bring them closer to God. And it worked – after 20 years at the Church of the Nativity in Timonium, alongside the parish priest, Mass attendance nearly tripled. Corcoran is associate to the pastor and co-author of several books about their experience to rebuild and reimagine the suburban church in service of the relationship parishioners can build with the Lord.
Father Donald Grzymski, O.F.M. Conv.
Franciscan Friar Donald Grzymski is the longtime president of his alma mater Archbishop Curley High School in Baltimore, Maryland. A member of the class of 1970, Grzymski’s ministry has brought him back to the school since his graduation – time and time again, including as the alumni chaplain. He has served most recently as school president since 2014.
Father Raymond “Ray” Lee Harris Jr.
The third African American ordained for the archdiocesan priesthood in Baltimore, Father Raymond “Ray” Lee Harris Jr.’s contributions to the Church in Maryland have been far-reaching. His broad commitment to diversity and inclusion includes his service on Archbishop William E. Lori’s working group on racism. Harris centers efforts at reconciliation for the sin of racism on an acknowledgment of truth and the dignity of all human beings. Fr. Ray presently serves as the pastor of Holy Family Catholic Church.
Kristen Kinkopf
Kristen Kinkopf has devoted much of her professional life to the Church and promoting good works through philanthropy. After graduating magna cum laude in 1994 from law school at Case Western Reserve Reserve University in Ohio, Kinkopf served two longstanding Catholic institutions in Baltimore, Maryland: Catholic Charities and Notre Dame Preparatory School.
Msgr. Joseph S. Lizor Jr.
While longtime pastor of St. Luke in Edgemere, Maryland, Monsignor Joseph S. Lizor Jr. created a revival in Mass attendance and rejuvenated faith in the community. He was known to go door-to-door to invite people to the church and established First Friday and Eucharistic adoration at the parish.
Kathleen K. Mahar
More than 5,000 students have graduated from one of the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s flagship high schools under Kathleen K. Mahar’s administrative leadership. Serving as teacher, principal and president of Archbishop Spalding High School for a combined 25 years, Mahar retired in 2022.
Deacon Seigfried Presberry
After a career serving “the least of these” as a corrections officer in Maryland prisons, Deacon Seigfried Presberry now leads prison ministry on behalf of the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Institute for Evangelization. He carries with him in each encounter a sense that no matter what one thinks or feels about the men and women who are incarcerated, only God should be their judge.
Sister Irene Pryle, SSND
Sister Irene Pryle feels a deep responsibility to the community she has served – in and outside the walls of Our Lady of Hope/St. Luke School in Dundalk, where she has been principal for more than 40 years. Pryle, whose ministry is inspired by her order of the Sisters of Notre Dame, embodies the school’s mission “to educate the whole child.”
Father Michael J. White
Under Father Michael J. White’s leadership and evangelization, attendance at weekend Masses at the Church of the Nativity in Timonium, Maryland, nearly tripled to 4,000 people. Father White, co-author of the acclaimed “Rebuilt: Awakening the Faithful, Reaching the Lost and Making Church Matter,” studied the reasons American Catholics were leaving the faith, often for Evangelical churches.
Benemerenti Medal
Sister Rita Michelle Proctor, O.S.P
A member of the order for more than 50 years, Sister Rita Michelle Proctor is superior general of the Oblate Sisters of Providence. She leads the order – the first religious community for African American women in the United States – in service inspired by their foundress, Venerable Mother Mary Lange.
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