Director of Hispanic Ministry nominated for national award

Intermountain Catholic

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Maria Cruz Gray

SALT LAKE CITY- Maria Cruz Gray, Director of the Hispanic Ministry for the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City, has been nominated for the 2012 Lumen Christi Award. This award is given annually by the Catholic Extension Society to "an inspiring, dedicated individual (or group) that continuously demonstrates, through their service, how the power of faith can transform lives and communities in the most under-resourced dioceses in the United States."

"There are few others who are so wholeheartedly dedicated to bringing the Gospel to the Hispanic communities, especially those who live and work in the rural missions and in relative poverty, than Maria Cruz Gray," said Monsignor Colin F. Bircumshaw, the diocese’s vicar general. "She puts in 80-hour weeks that include practically every weekend ministering to the people directly, and is untiring and indefatigable, always positive and filled with hope and enthusiasm. Her optimism is infectious and her love for her faith, her Church and her Lord is immediately evident. Her very person speaks ’evangelization’ in a language that transcends and goes beyond all cultures. Her life is ‘the Light of Christ’ for the people."

As director of Hispanic Ministry for the 85,000-square-mile diocese, Gray provides pastoral outreach, compassion and catechesis to the Hispanic community, which makes up about 80 percent of Utah’s Catholic population. Due to the influx of migrant workers in the area, the number of Catholics in Utah has increased from 94,000 to 270,000 since she began her work in 1999.

Responding to this growth, Gray helped institute Ministerio Laical Hispano ("EMAUS") in 2010, a three-and-a-half year program to form ecclesial leaders to serve Hispanic communities and increase the Catholic presence in this region.

"Maria reaches out to everyone in this diocese. In addition, she helps us all ask ourselves how our programs affect the Hispanic people and is more than willing to help offices become more inclusive," said Veola Burchett, director of the diocese’s Family Life office, in a comment on the voting page for the award.

On this page people can cast their votes to elect the winning diocese and nominee.

This is the 35th anniversary of the Lumen Christi, Latin for "Light of Christ." The award is accompanied by a $50,000 grant – the honoree and nominating diocese each receive $25,000 for their ministry.

To vote for Cruz, visit https://www.facebook.com/CatholicExtension?sk=app_177914495580579.