Special to the NEWS
Sister Zita Telkamp
Sister Zita Telkamp, CDP, program director of La Posada Providencia, a San Benito shelter for new immigrants and asylum seekers, is a finalist in the running for the Catholic Church Extension Society’s prestigious Lumen Christi Award.
Now in its 36th year, the Lumen Christi award is presented to a religious woman, priest, layperson or group whose service builds faith, inspires hope and ignites change. “They bring light and hope to the forgotten corners of the country and inspire those around them to be the ‘Light of Christ’ as well,” a La Posada press release read.
Sister Zita was nominated by Bishop Daniel Flores of the Diocese of Brownsville. If Sister Zita is selected as the recipient of the award, the grant amount is $50,000, with $25,000 awarded to the Diocese of Brownsville and $25,000 awarded to La Posada Providencia.
The Lumen Christi Award recipient is selected after two rounds of voting.
The first round relies on the participation of regional judges in addition to public support through online voting. Based on these rankings, award finalists are determined. The final round of judging begins with final judges reviewing information about the finalists as well as another round of online voting for this select group. Each finalist receives a composite score based on final judges and online voting to help decide the final Lumen Christi Award recipient.
In his nomination letter, Bishop Flores stated that, “Under Sister Zita’s care, the residents at La Posada are provided access to the services they need for their next resettlement step and are encouraged to embrace the notion that they can achieve successful futures with hard work and their inherent skills. Welcoming the stranger is a Gospel value that is practiced daily at this haven for those without a home. I am most grateful to the Congregation of the Sisters of Divine Providence and Sister Zita for their commitment to the poor.”
Those wishing to support Sister Zita and the Diocese of Brownsville can vote for her online through Catholic Extension’s Facebook page. Voting is only open until May 10.
To vote, sign into your Facebook page, visit www.facebook.com/CatholicExtension and like the page then click on the “Lumen Christi Award” tab. Select “View Entries” at the bottom of the page and scroll down to Sister Zita and click “Vote.” Browsers will be taken to her page where they can cast their vote by clicking on the blue “Vote” button.
Voters are then encouraged to share their vote on Facebook and ask those in their network to vote as well.
Voting for Sister Zita can help make a difference in the lives of so many through the ministry at La Posada Providencia and throughout the Diocese of Brownsville. It is also an opportunity to bring national attention to the work of the Catholic Church in the Rio Grande Valley through the hidden heroic works of Sister Zita and the Sisters of Divine Providence.
To learn more about Sister Zita and the La Posada ministry, visit www.LPPshelter.org.
The Sisters of Divine Providence is an international community of women religious numbering nearly 700. “They are women of varied and diverse backgrounds and talents united by a deep trust in a provident God who loves and cares for all creation,” the release read.
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