Due to the COVID-19th outbreak in March 2020 and the government restrictions imposed, the Council had to suspend in-person community celebrations, including the presentation of the Bishop Crowley Memorial Award. This resulted in a four-year hiatus of its presentation. On December 1, 2022, the ESCC and OEPS organized a community gathering held at St. Monica’s parish, the first in-person community event since 2019. The Council seized the opportunity to present the award to Eric Durocher. In this new year, the Council hopes to recognize the hard work of an individual or organization who/which has transformed the landscape of our community by presenting the award in an upcoming in-person community event. In the meantime, it is with great pleasure and pride that we present past recipients of the award.
2022 – ERIC DUROCHER
On Thursday, December 1, 2022, the English-speaking Catholic community of Montreal gathered at St. Monica parish in NDG. This was the first time the community had met in-person since 2019. It was a night for thanksgiving, acknowledging that God is at work in our community amid the current challenges in the Church and world, and to recognize the creative achievements of the community despite all we have been through. Read more
2018 – PROFESSOR DANIEL AND JACQUELINE CERE
Jacqueline and Daniel Cere have operated Dominus Vobiscum – Family Retreat Centre since 1998 at Camp Orelda-Marian, situated near St-Gabriel-de-Brandon. The couple spearheaded a group of volunteers – mainly family members and friends – to transform the dilapidated site into a summer retreat centre for families of all sizes and needs. Read more
2016 – FATHER JOHN BAXTER
Awarded Nov. 11 at the 18th Catholic Community Rally, Fr. Baxter was recognized for his 51-year ministry to youth through a parish- and camp-based leadership program. He is the 32nd recipient of the award since its first bestowal in 1983. Presented by the English Speaking Catholic Council (ESCC), the award recognizes “distinguished service in the English-speaking Catholic Community of Greater Montreal, by an individual or organization.” Read more
2014 – PAUL DONOVAN
The ESCC presented the Bishop Crowley Memorial Award to former Loyola High School principal Paul Donovan for his efforts in defending religious liberty. Under Donovan’s leadership, the Jesuit high school challenged the Quebec government’s teaching guidelines regarding its Ethics and Religious Culture course.
2009 – RICHARD AND JANET MACKLEM, DON MYLES AND THE PARISH CATECHETICAL LEADERS OF THE DIOCESE OF MONTREAL
In memory of the late Bishop Leonard Crowley, former Auxiliary Bishop of Montreal and Director of the Office for English Language Affairs, the Bishop Crowley Memorial Award recognizing distinguished service in the community by an individual or organization was presented at this special event to Don Myles, Janet and Richard Macklem and the Parish Catechetical Leaders from the English Section of the Archdiocese of Montreal.
2005 – CLARE DOZOIS, DAVID O’NEILL, THE PILLARS TRUST FUND
The Bishop Crowley Memorial Award recognizing distinguished serve in the community by an
individual group or organization, was presented to Pillars Trust Fund, David O’Neill of Pointe
St-Charles, and Clare Dozois of St. John Brebeuf Parish.
2002 – BENEDICT LABRE HOUSE, FATHER EMMETT JOHNS, AND NICOLE & ED TINMOUTH
Patrick Rourke, Chairman of the Bishop Crowley Award Committee, announced that the
recipients of the Bishop Crowley Award for 2002 would be the Benedict Labre House, Father
Emmett Johns (Le Bon Dieu dans la Rue) and Nicole (and the late) Ed Tinmouth in recognition of distinguished service in the community.