OUR SUPPORTERS
Our St. Clare, St. Francis, St. Therese, St. Anthony, and St. Maximillian Kolbe awards are given to supporters whose dedicated service has deeply impacted our mission. Learn about our recent awardees below.
With our gratitude for embodying
the virtues of St. Francis
through the pouring out of your life and love
with unbridled compassion, generosity, and integrity
in service to the poor.
You have done that which Christ made you to do.
May Christ use your example to teach each
of us that which is ours to do.
2023 Award Recipients
2023 ST. CLARE AWARD RECIPIENT: THE DIOCESE OF GREEN BAY
The Diocese of Green Bay has supported Franciscan Works and Liberia Mission for many years by welcoming Franciscan Works to speak at parishes in their diocese. They are committed to raising global awareness and encouraging Catholics in their baptismal call to missionary activity, the work of evangelization, and charitable works throughout the world. St. Clare once said, “Let the love you have in your hearts be shown outwardly in your deeds.” Like St. Clare, the Diocese of Green Bay is a community that courageously lives out the spirit of Mission.
2023 ST. ANTHONY AWARD RECIPIENT: OUR LONG-TIME DONORS AND SPONSORS
The St. Anthony Award is given in recognition of you, our long-time donors and sponsors. We are so thankful for your consistent support of our Mission and our students over these 20 years. Thanks to your generosity, our Mission has continued to thrive and grow. We extend our deepest gratitude to each and every donor and sponsor for saying “yes” to partnering with Franciscan Works and Liberia Mission! St. Anthony of Padua said: “Actions speak louder than words; let your words teach and your actions speak.” You, our long-time donors and sponsors, truly personify these words.
2023 ST. MAXIMILIAN KOLBE AWARD RECIPIENT: MA MARY
We are pleased to present the St. Maximilian Kolbe award to Ma Mary in Liberia! Ma Mary lives near Liberia Mission and has a heart for our students. She donates monthly to Liberia Mission, and we are so grateful for her generosity. St. Maximilian Koble said, “Do not forget that holiness consists not in extraordinary actions, but in performing your duties towards God, yourself, and others well.” Ma Mary exemplifies St. Maximilian Kolbe through her kindness and charity.
2023 ST. THERESE AWARD RECIPIENT: BERNARDINE AND DR. BRIAN CHAN
Bernardine is a former Mission Director of Liberia Mission from 2010-2011, and Dr. Brian Chan served as the Mission’s Medical Officer. They continue to support the children of Liberia through sponsorship and by speaking at parishes on behalf of the Mission. We are deeply thankful for their dedicated support of Franciscan Works and the children of Liberia. Like St. Therese, they inspire others with her generous and loving hearts.
2023 ST. FRANCIS AWARD RECIPIENT: JOE SEHNERT
Joe served as Franciscan Works’ Board President for 6 years. Prior to this, Joe dedicated 5 years of his life to serving as the Director of Liberia Mission from 2011-2016. It was during Joe’s tenure that Liberia Mission created its piggery micro-business, raised its overall reading score, and advanced in spiritual development. And, it was under Joe's faithful perseverance that the Mission survived the Ebola crisis of 2014, and the children continued to have a place to call home. We thank Joe for his many years of guidance and service to everyone at Liberia Mission and Franciscan Works. He truly embodies the teachings of St. Francis!
2022 Award Recipients
2022 ST. CLARE AWARD RECIPIENT: ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST PARISH
St. John the Evangelist in Prairieville, LA is a parish community that truly lives out the spirit of mission. Eddie Martin and the late Jenny Martin first began fundraisers in their parish to support Franciscan Works + Liberia Mission. We are grateful to Fr. Jerry Martin for honoring Jenny and Eddie through the parish’s tremendous generosity toward Franciscan Works and Liberia Mission this year. This generosity is testimony to the spirit of Jenny, the faith of Eddie, and the missionary heart of their parish. St. John the Evangelist Parish embodies St. Clare’s words: “We are to become vessels of God’s compassionate love for others.”
2022 ST. FRANCIS AWARD RECIPIENT: JOANNIE FABIANO
We were honored to recognize Joannie Fabiano with the St. Francis Award. Joannie was the former Executive Director of Franciscan Works and Liberia Mission from 2003-2010, traveling frequently to Liberia. Joannie’s commitment to service and faith has left a lasting legacy on Franciscan Works and Liberia Mission as she embodied the teachings of St. Francis. Joannie passed away on the Feast of St. Francis on October 4th, 2022.
2022 ST. THERESE AWARD RECIPIENT: BETSY MANNO
Betsy Manno faithfully served on the Board of Directors at Franciscan Works and Liberia Mission. She visited the children in Liberia and promoted our mission by sharing mission appeals across the country. We are deeply grateful for Betsy’s dedicated support of Franciscan Works and the children of Liberia. Like St. Therese, she inspires others with her generous and loving spirit.
2022 ST. ANTHONY AWARD RECIPIENT: ARCHBISHOP LEWIS JEROME ZEIGLER (IN MEMORIAM)
Archbishop Lewis Jerome Zeigler was a devoted friend of Franciscan Works and Liberia Mission, giving his time through service to those in need. St. Anthony of Pauda once said: “Actions speak louder than words; let your words teach and your actions speak.” Archbishop Lewis Jerome Zeigler truly personified those words as he used his words and actions to shepherd the children of Liberia.
2022 ST. MAXIMILIAN KOLBE AWARD RECIPIENT: AUGUSTINE NUFEA
Our St. Maximilian Kolbe award was given to Augustine Nufea, who is called Nufea by staff and students. Through Nufea’s on-the-ground work in Liberia, he invests his time and radiates his faith through service to the children and community at Liberia Mission. Nufea exemplifies St. Maximilian Kolbe through his gift of self and deep loyalty.
2021 Award Recipients
2021 ST. CLARE AWARD RECIPIENT: JANICE AND BOB SULLIVAN
Not only do Janice and Bob support Liberia Mission themselves, but they also help lead the mission outreach program at their parish. They exemplify St. Clare’s words: “Love God, serve God; everything is in that.”
2021 ST. FRANCIS AWARD RECIPIENT: ANONYMOUS DONORS
The St. Francis award was given to a couple who wishes to remain anonymous. They are sponsors and help occasionally with special projects. They live out St. Francis’ words: “It is in giving that we receive.”
2021 ST. THERESE AWARD RECIPIENT: FR. DON HALPIN, OFM CONV.
Fr. Don has been involved with Franciscan Works for more than 10 years. He served on the Franciscan Works board and traveled to Liberia Mission numerous times. Fr. Don is also a sponsor and has given mission appeals to parishes across the USA on behalf of Franciscan Works + Liberia Mission.
2021 ST. ANTHONY AWARD RECIPIENT: AMINA KOLLIE
Amina Kollie is a faithful supporter of Liberia Mission. Her children studied at St. Anthony of Padua School, and she is an anchor of the St. Michael the Archangel faith community at Liberia Mission. Amina embodies St. Anthony’s saying: “Let your words teach and your actions speak.”
2021 ST. MAXIMILIAN KOLBE AWARD RECIPIENT: JOHN YOUNG
John is the Mission Director of Liberia Mission. He selflessly serves the children of Liberia through his Christ-like presence. We are grateful for his leadership and commitment to helping children flourish in Liberia.
2020 Award Recipients
2020 ST. CLARE AWARD RECIPIENT: ANDREA WALSH
Andrea is the sponsorship coordinator at Franciscan Works + Liberia Mission. Through her efforts, sponsorships have increased and communication between sponsors and students is flourishing. We are grateful for her support toward the children of Liberia and their sponsors.
2020 ST. FRANCIS AWARD RECIPIENT: MICHAEL FRANCIS SHANAHAN SR. (IN MEMORIAM)
Michael was a faithful supporter of Franciscan Works + Liberia Mission. He helped expand the piggery and construct the science lab, in addition to funding agricultural programs and providing scholarships and operation funding for the mission.
2020 ST. THERESE AWARD RECIPIENT: RUCKSTUHL FOUNDATION FAMILY FOUNDATION
We are grateful to the Ruckstuhl Family for providing Franciscan Works + Liberia Mission with generous grants to replace roofs, run summer programs, dig wells, purchase vehicles, and so much more.
2020 ST. ANTHONY AWARD RECIPIENT: MONSIGNOR TIKPOR
Monsignor Tikpor is the oldest priest in Liberia and was the parish priest when Liberia Mission was founded. He is now retired but continues to serve the mission through his prayers and spiritual guidance to students, especially those discerning religious life.