The Diocesan Distinguished Service Award (DDSA) is presented to those who have given outstanding service to the Diocese of New Ulm over a period of years. Five awards will be presented annually at the Bishop Lucker Lecture. The award consists of an engraved medal and a framed citation. Nominations are now being accepted for the award.

Nominations can be submitted based on the following criteria:

- Outstanding service exercised in some leadership capacity within the diocese, such as service on a diocesan council or committee, in a diocesan organization, or as a member of the diocesan center staff;

- Have served for a reasonable number of years on the diocesan level;

- Have served as a living witness to the Diocesan MissionStatement;

- Have nurtured leadership and encouraged growth among the members of the Diocesan community.

In the nearly forty-five year history of the diocese, there have been over one hundred recipients of the award. Nominations must be received by January 1, 2003.

The recipients will be announced in the March issue of The Prairie Catholic. The awards will be presented on March 20, 2003 in Redwood Falls.

To obtain a nomination form, please contact Mark Kemmeter, Coordinator of Staff, Diocesan Pastoral Center, 1400 6th Street North, New Ulm, MN 56073; (507) 359-2966; e-mail: mkemmeter@dnu.org