The recipients of the 2026 Sophia Awards are seen with Bishop William F. Medley following the Aug. 16, 2026 Sophia Awards Mass at St. Stephen Cathedral in Owensboro. ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD | WKC
Sophia Award recipients celebrate with Bishop Medley
Editor’s note: Every year, the Diocese of Owensboro hosts a Mass honoring the recipients of the annual Sophia Awards. These are individuals at least 65 years of age who received the highest number of nominations in their parish for this recognition and who embrace lives of stewardship by giving of their time, talent and treasure. To learn more about the Sophia Awards, contact Valeria Vessels, director of stewardship and development, at [email protected].
Blessed Mother, Owensboro: Mike & Karen Thompson
Blessed Sacrament, Owensboro: Vivian Higgs
Christ the King, Madisonville: Jennifer Hardesty
Christ the King, Scottsville: Frank & Valerie Vargo
Holy Guardian Angels, Irvington: Tim LaTondress
Holy Name of Jesus, Henderson: Marti Vickers
Holy Spirit, Bowling Green: Wayne & Mary-Anne Powers
Immaculate, Owensboro: Diane Willis
Immaculate Conception, Hawesville: Marilyn McCaslin
Our Lady of Lourdes, Owensboro: Michael & Stephanie Houtchen
Precious Blood, Owensboro: Ray & Marianne Jones
Rosary Chapel, Paducah: Howard Grief
Sacred Heart, Hickman: Dianna Nerren
Sacred Heart, Russellville: Denise Robey
Sacred Heart, Waverly: Bruce & Jama Danhauer
St. Alphonsus, St. Joseph: Mike & Tracy Cecil
St. Ambrose, Henshaw: Steve & Sheree Sheffer
St. Ann, Morganfield: Wayne & Arletta Bickett
St. Anthony, Browns Valley: David & Paula Hayden
St. Anthony, Peonia: Norbert & Charlotta Soenneker
St. Anthony of Padua, Grand Rivers: Joyce Wilkinson
St. Anthony the Abbot, Axtel: Paul & Monica Jarboe
St. Augustine, Grayson Springs: James & Sheila Clemons
St. Augustine, Reed: Butch & Darlene Smithhart
St. Benedict, Wax: Louise Patterson
St. Charles, Bardwell: Bobby Hodge
St. Columba, Lewisport: Anita Cambron
St. Denis, Fancy Farm: David Wayne Ellegood
St. Edward, Fulton: Jerry & Mary Ann Hobbs
St. Elizabeth, Curdsville: Anne Powers
St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Clarkson: Richard & Mary Ellen Wygant
St. Francis Borgia, Sturgis: Barbara Wells
St. Francis de Sales, Paducah: Bill Roberts
St. Francis of Assisi, Guthrie: Mary Charles King
St. Henry, Aurora: Dcn. Randall & Peggy Potempa
St. Jerome, Fancy Farm: Andy & Helen Elliott
St. John the Evangelist, Paducah: Charles Kaufman
St. Joseph, Bowling Green: Marilyn Feldkamp
St. Joseph, Central City: Melinda Prunty
St. Joseph, Mayfield: George & Emma Hayden
Sts. Joseph & Paul, Owensboro: Gary & Nadine Trogden
St. Jude, Clinton: William Stump
St. Lawrence, Philpot: Debbie Postlewaite
St. Leo, Murray: Catherine Hart
St. Mark, Eddyville: J.P. “Sonny” & Karen Finnegan
St. Martin, Rome: Cheryl Clark
St. Mary, Franklin: Kenny & Teresa Garrett
St. Mary, LaCenter: Kenny & Norma Anselm
St. Mary Magdalene, Sorgho: Fred & Gloria McCarty
St. Mary of the Woods, McQuady: Greg & Cathy Moore
St. Mary of the Woods, Whitesville: Frank & Connie Hagan
St. Michael, Sebree: Hermila Mendoza
St. Michael the Archangel, Oak Grove: Doris Bonnewell
St. Paul, Leitchfield: Lynda Crawford
St. Paul, Princeton: Mary Dearing
St. Peter of Alcantara, Stanley: Linnie Clary
St. Peter of Antioch, Waverly: David & Nancy Wolfe
Sts. Peter & Paul, Hopkinsville: Joseph Ritzheimer (posthumously)
St. Pius X, Calvert City: Clem & Brenda Hinkebein (posthumously)
St. Pius X, Owensboro: Carol Payne
St. Romuald, Hardinsburg: Marie Rose
St. Rose of Lima, Cloverport: Jim & Susie Camp
St. Stephen, Cadiz: Jon & Bonny Prudhomme
St. Stephen Cathedral, Owensboro: Barbara Jones
St. William, Knottsville: Stanley & Barbara Roberts
Ray and Marianne Jones, Precious Blood Parish’s 2026 Sophia Award recipients, speak with Fr. Suneesh Mathew prior to the Aug. 16, 2026 Sophia Awards Mass at St. Stephen Cathedral in Owensboro. ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD | WKC
Bishop William F. Medley blesses the 2026 Sophia Awards plaques during the Aug. 16 Sophia Awards Mass. ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD | WKC
The recipients of the 2026 Sophia Awards are seen with Bishop William F. Medley following the Aug. 16, 2026 Sophia Awards Mass at St. Stephen Cathedral in Owensboro. ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD | WKC
Originally printed in the September 2026 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
