Vatican Award Donna Hanson Receives Highest Papal Honor For Lay Catholics

Sat., May 27, 1995

Joe Ehrbar Correspondent

Donna Hanson, Bishop William Skylstad’s secretary for social ministries, was honored with the papal medal Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (For the Church and the Pope) at the Bishop’s Dinner for Catholic Charities on May 5 at The Spokane Club.

The medal is the highest papal honor for lay members of the Roman Catholic Church.

Hanson has worked for the church for many years, endeavoring to provide the poor with decent housing and striving to care for the mentally handicapped. She also has lobbied against abortion, euthanasia and pornography.

Hanson was nominated for the medal by Skylstad.

“It was quite a surprise,” said Hanson. “Bishop Skylstad wrote a very moving two-page letter (to the pope). That letter meant a great deal to me.”

In his letter of nomination to Pope John Paul II, the bishop called Hanson “a leader of the social ministry of the gospel,” “a loyal member of the Christian community” and “an example to the women and men of faith in this diocese.”

Also at the dinner, Joan Gagliardi was presented with the 1995 Bishop’s Medal for her service to Catholic Charities and to the Catholic Diocese of Spokane.

Gagliardi has served on the Diocesan Finance Council and the Catholic Foundation Board of Directors.

UCC women honored

Hilda Young of Spokane will be one of three Washington women honored by the 20th general synod of the United Church of Christ for her contributions to her community and church.

Since 1983, the 1.5 million-member UCC has recognized several laywomen across the nation for their dedication and service.

These women will be honored at a luncheon titled “Gifts of the Laywomen” July 2 at the biennial general synod in Oakland.

Young, who is a member of Veradale United Church of Spokane, works with the Meals on Wheels program, delivering food to the poor. She also spends time caring for the ill and confined members of her church.

In 1987 Young served as a delegate at a conference on mission in Houston to draft a mission statement for the denomination. She also has served as chair of the Veradale’ church’s outreach committee.

The other Washington honorees are Phyllis Pulfer of Walla Walla and Ginny Lagergren of Richland.

Multichurch musical

Eight area churches will collaborate on a musical titled “God With Us” on next Friday and Sunday, June 2 and 4, at Fourth Memorial Church, 2000 N. Standard.

The purpose of the musical is to unite several congregations and denominations so they can worship together despite their differences.

The participating churches are: Plymouth Congregational Church, Fourth Memorial Church, Garland Avenue Alliance Church, First Church of the Nazarene, Northview Bible Church, Valley Fourth Memorial Church, Manito Presbyterian Church and First Assembly of God.

The musical, written by Jack Hayford, Tom Hartley, Don Moen, Tom Fettke and Camp Kirkland, features performances by a 300-voice choir and an extensive orchestra, as well as testimonials and narration by Nadine Woodward and H. Marshall Thompson.

“God With Us” will be presented Friday at 7 p.m. and again on June 4 at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Admission is free, though advance tickets are required.

Tickets can be obtained at any of the participating churches.

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