Msgr. Scott Friend honored by Extension as a 'light of Christ'

Bishop J. Peter Sartain nominated priest for award two years ago

Published: September 29, 2007

Catholic Extension Society

Father Jack Wall (right), president of Catholic Extension, presents the Lumen Christi Award to Msgr. Scott Friend during a reception at the home of Chicago Cardinal Francis George (left). Msgr. Friend also received a $25,000 gift for himself and a $25,000 donation to the Diocese of Little Rock.

Catholic Extension Society

CHICAGO -- Msgr. Scott Friend, diocesan vocations director and former Hispanic ministry director, received the Catholic Church Extension Society's Lumen Christi Award from Catholic Extension president Father Jack Wall Sept. 22 at a reception at the residence of Cardinal Francis George of Chicago.

The national award, which means "Light of Christ," is presented annually by Catholic Extension to recognize outstanding missionary work in the United States. Following the presentation, Cardinal George celebrated Mass at Holy Name Cathedral.

Concelebrants included former Arkansas bishops, Andrew J. McDonald and J. Peter Sartain, diocesan administrator, Msgr. J. Gaston Hebert, and former Catholic Extension president, Bishop William R. Houck.

Also attending the Mass were Msgr. Friend's father, Dr. Max Friend, and his extended family from Little Rock.

Bishop Sartain nominated Msgr. Friend for the award for his work for nearly 20 years with Hispanic Catholics and his gift of spirituality to the diocese. He celebrated his 20th anniversary as a priest this summer.

In Chicago Msgr. Friend was presented with a $25,000 gift. He has said he would be dividing the money among some friends who are in need and St. Juan Diego Chapel in Wickes.

"We at Catholic Extension are privileged to recognize and honor missionaries like Msgr. Friend," Father Wall said. "He exemplifies the 'Light of Christ' in the way he has continued to reach out to offer spiritual comfort to those struggling to live their Catholic faith in America, in spite of having to carry the heavy burden of his own illness."

In 2003, the Arkansas native was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

Msgr. Friend was the cover story for the September issue of Extension magazine.

The Diocese of Little Rock will also receive $25,000. Msgr. Hebert said the diocese has not determined how the donation will be spent.