Two Catholic Diocese of Jefferson City men who serve as missionaries are finalists for the 42nd annual Lumen Christi Award.
Mike Hentges, a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Columbia, and Steve Smith, a member of the parish at St. Peter Church in Jefferson City, in 2010 formed St. Raymond's Society - a nonprofit organization that encourages pregnant women to choose life and form healthy families.
The Lumen Christi Award is the Catholic Extension's highest honor, given nationally to a priest, woman religious or layperson working in America's mission dioceses. The award title means "Light of Christ" in Latin.
Recipients have devoted their lives to serving the poor in the most under-resourced dioceses in the United States and to fostering Catholic communities that build faith, inspire hope and ignite change, according to a news release.
The award is accompanied by a $50,000 grant divided evenly between the honoree and the nominating diocese - and intended to enhance a specific area of the ministry. Prior to awarding the grant, the extension will discuss and agree upon the use of the grant with both the recipient and the diocese.
St. Raymond's has locations in Jefferson City, Columbia and Rolla. It employs 11 people and has more than 150 volunteers.