‘Every person deserves to be treated with dignity and love’

Debbie Snapp receives Sister Cecilia Award for service to others

By Tim Wenzl

Southwest Kansas Register

WICHITA - Debbie Snapp, executive director of Catholic Social Service, was selected as a recipient of the 2008 Sister Cecilia Award at a dinner at Mount St. Mary’s Convent May 1, the feast of St. Joseph the Worker.

The award was established by Dear Neighbor Ministries in 2007 to recognize those who have lived a life of service similar to that of Sister Cecilia. As an educator, Sister Cecilia is known for her years at Cathedral High School in Wichita and St. Mary of the Plains College in Dodge City. She also served the Diocese of Wichita as editor of the Catholic Advance and as advisor to many priests during their time in the seminary.

Snapp was recognized for demonstrating outstanding achievement in Social Work, specifically in various roles with Catholic Social Service. Her 20 years with CSS began in 1987. She held the position of social worker providing pregnancy counseling to pregnant teens and their families and conducting home studies for adoption. She served as program director for CSS with the responsibilities of supervising the staff and social workers, budgeting and development of programs to meet the needs of the people in southwest Kansas. Bishop Ronald M. Gilmore appointed her to the position of executive director in 2006.

Snapp has been instrumental in starting the following programs that particularly benefit women and children: Pregnancy Counseling, Teen Moms, Infant Adoption Awareness Training and Special Needs Adoption. Other programs which she has been diligent in bringing under the auspices of CSS are Healthy Marriage and Families and The Benefit Bank.

Snapp has also been a witness to the principles of Catholic Social Teaching and justice. She taught classes through the Pastoral Ministry Formation program entitled: “Catholic Social Teaching” and “Justice for Immigrants.” She also introduced JustFaith, a social justice ministry, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Dodge City.

In nominating Snapp, Sister Janice Grochowsky wrote: “Debbie has embraced a ministry to benefit those in need, promoted the common good and demonstrated her attitude that every person – regardless of circumstances – deserves to be treated with dignity and love.”

Sharing this award with Snapp were: Sister Kathleen Regan, Sister Margaret Nugent, Father Donal O’Hare, and Charles Smith. Sister Kathleen, a former teacher and principal and current director of development and stewardship of the Guadalupe Clinic in Wichita, was selected for her many years in education, administration and her successful second career bringing support to the clinic. Sister Margaret, the principal of St. Ann’s School in Wichita, was selected for 18 years of exceptional service to the school parish and community at large. Father O’Hare, a retired priest of the Wichita diocese, was chosen for his humble and kind way of caring for the poor whiles protecting each person’s dignity and self worth. Charles Smith, teacher and coach, was chosen for his long career in education and athletics as Colgan High School in Pittsburg.