On Aug. 10, 2025, the faithful of the Diocese of Owensboro gathered for the annual Sophia Awards Mass, honoring recipients who are at least 65 years of age who have given of their time, talent, and treasure to serve the Church. RILEY GREIF | WKC
Sophia Awards honor those who have led lives of stewardship
BY WKC STAFF
Every year, the Diocese of Owensboro hosts a Mass honoring the recipients of the annual Sophia Awards – individuals at least 65 years old, who received the highest number of nominations in their parish for this recognition, and who embrace and lead lives of stewardship by giving of their time, talent and treasure. On Aug. 10, 2025, at St. Stephen Cathedral, this year’s Sophia Awards Mass was celebrated by Bishop William F. Medley. To learn more, contact Valeria Vessels, director of stewardship and development, at [email protected].
Blessed Mother, Owensboro: Joe Carr
Blessed Sacrament, Owensboro: Michael Bogdan (Posthumously)
Christ the King, Madisonville: Sherry Kittinger (Posthumously)
Christ the King, Scottsville: Joe Witt
Holy Guardian Angels, Irvington: Dwayne & Linda Mitcham
Holy Name of Jesus, Henderson: Mary Stone
Holy Redeemer, Beaver Dam: Katie Raley
Holy Spirit, Bowling Green: Dana Gensler
Holy Trinity, Morgantown: Michael & Linda Davis
Immaculate, Owensboro: David Baker
Immaculate Conception, Hawesville: Gary & Robin Elder
Our Lady of Lourdes, Owensboro: Mike & Ann Flaherty
Precious Blood, Owensboro: Jeanie Wahl
Rosary Chapel, Paducah: Clora Hixon (Posthumously)
Sacred Heart, Hickman: Teresa Hayden
Sacred Heart, Russellville: Karen Critchlow
Sacred Heart, Waverly: Susie Buckman
St. Agnes, Uniontown: Martha Girten
St. Alphonsus, St. Joseph: Richard & Brenda McIntire
St. Ambrose, Henshaw: Tom & Paulette Collins (Posthumously)
St. Anthony, Browns Valley: Bill & Rosemary Thompson
St. Anthony, Peonia: James Higdon
St. Anthony of Padua, Grand Rivers: Kevin Diamond
St. Anthony the Abbot, Axtel: Noel & Regina Rudolph
St. Augustine, Grayson Springs: Vance & Debbie Webb
St. Augustine, Reed: Robert & Gail Blair
St. Benedict, Wax: Lisa Rose
St. Charles, Bardwell: Dean Thomas
St. Charles Borromeo, Livermore: Teresa Marcum
St. Denis, Fancy Farm: Wanda Carter
St. Edward, Fulton: Tommie & Melinda Briggs
St. Elizabeth, Clarkson: Gerald & Elaine Milliner
St. Elizabeth, Curdsville: Miles & Patty Murphy
St. Francis Borgia, Sturgis: David & Anna Conn
St. Francis de Sales, Paducah: Randy & Tracy Crawford
St. Henry, Aurora: Kevin & Mary Vaughan
St. Jerome, Fancy Farm: Denis Wilson
St. John the Baptist, Fordsville: Debbie Hagan
St. John the Evangelist, Paducah: Hazel E. Wurth
St. John the Evangelist, Sunfish: Susan Baatz
St. Joseph, Bowling Green: Chris Durbin
St. Joseph, Central City: Margaret Saddler
St. Joseph, Leitchfield: Jim & Dian Cecil
St. Joseph, Mayfield: Barbara Hughes Pickett
Sts. Joseph & Paul, Owensboro: Carolyn & Pat (Posthumously) Abel
St. Jude, Clinton: Johnny & Jane Hobbs
St. Lawrence, Philpot: John & Wanda Lanham (Posthumously)
St. Leo, Murray: Belinda Woods
St. Mark, Eddyville: Joseph & Wanda Loftus
St. Martin, Rome: Pat & Rosemary Krampe
St. Mary, Franklin: David & Glenda Duncan
St. Mary, LaCenter: Gene & Ginger Sullivan
St. Mary Magdalene, Sorgho: Eddie Byrne
St. Mary of the Woods, McQuady: Tony Beavin
St. Mary of the Woods, Whitesville: Randy Howard
St. Michael, Sebree: Mary Jane Hawkins
St. Michael the Archangel, Oak Grove: Raul & Mun Hui DeJesus
St. Paul, Leitchfield: Mike & Janie Foster
St. Paul, Princeton: Richard & Christa Strong
St. Peter of Alcantara, Stanley: Randall & Gail Murphy
St. Peter of Antioch, Waverly: Sandy Harpole
Sts. Peter & Paul, Hopkinsville: Teresa Burnside
St. Pius X, Calvert City: Jim & Rose Drury
St. Pius X, Owensboro: Carolyn McCarty
St. Romuald, Hardinsburg: Jim & Betty Heavrin
St. Rose of Lima, Cloverport: Modella Mattingly
St. Sebastian, Calhoun: Robert Guenthner
St. Stephen, Cadiz: Charles & Judy Garnett
St. Stephen Cathedral, Owensboro: Tom & Lucy (Posthumously) Neal
St. Thomas More, Paducah: Al & Mary McKeown
St. William, Knottsville: Lorene Mattingly
St. William, Marion: Daniel & Annette Rubino
Originally printed in the September 2025 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
