Fr. Bruce Wilkinson Founders Award
Myra West-Allen
2005 Recipient of the Fr. Bruce Wilkinson Founders Award
Ms. Myra West-Allen was raised in Miami, Florida and grew up under the spiritual tutelage of the Josephite Fathers at Christ the King Catholic Church. As a teenager, she taught in her parish’s religious education program. As a college student at Northwestern
University, she was involved in the youth programming work at the Catholic Center and with the publication of its newsletter. After graduation and marriage, she and her husband settled in the suburbs of Chicago and joined St. Thomas of Villanova Catholic Church. Her considerable talents and energy found a natural home in this very vibrant parish. Moving to Atlanta , Ms. Allen searched for a parish that equaled the richness and vibrancy of St. Thomas and found these at Transfiguration. Her high velocity energy soon led to a number of voluntary engagements. Over time she has done it all at Transfiguration, as a member of the catechetical team, the liturgy committee, sacristan and mass captain, and president of the parish board of education. Additionally, Ms. Allen made history, as the first Black person to be elected president of the parish council. Ms. Allen ’s welcoming spirit has benefited many newcomers to the parish. She has made transitioning into parish life and involvement in the ministries and programs of the parish as one and the same for newcomers. In a parish of 4000 thousand plus members, there are few who do not know her. She is able to transform strangers into friends almost instantly. Ms. Allen is well loved in her parish, as was so obviously demonstrated by the financial and prayerful support she received for her participation in the Alaska Marathon Race to raise awareness and money for leukemia and lymphoma research. Career wise, Ms. Allen is a special education lead-teacher for the Cobb County Board of Education. In this capacity, she is continually challenged to be an example of Christ ’s presence to all she encounters. Despite the many family and job responsibilities and her church work, she still finds the time to continue her professional training. Currently, she is pursuing a doctorate degree in special education. Ms. Allen gets high marks from her colleagues for the professionalism and commitment she brings to her work. Her parish family sings her praises for her devotion to her faith and dedicated parish work. They say that she is a person who walks the talk. She is down to earth, humorous, and supportive of all who are seeking to know the Lord. She is indeed the consummate evangelist in all that she does and is a worthy honoree of the 2005 Fr. Bruce Wilkinson Founders Award.
Public recognition is a way to express gratitude to the evangelization ministers for their gifts to us and to encourage them on their personal spiritual journeys. By focusing attention on this ministry, we remind ourselves of the gift of God’s presence in our lives from the moment of Baptism. As baptized followers of Christ , we assume the responsibility to proclaim His Good News. Further, it provides the occasion to motivate and recruit more workers for Christ ’s Vineyard. The year 2002 marked the twentieth anniversary of the OBCM. This seemed to be a good time for serious reflection on the culminating significance of two decades of evangelization work, to correct weaknesses, and build on strengths. It was also a good time and good way to thank Fr. Bruce Wilkinson , the principal founder of the OBCM, for sharing his many gifts with us, and to acknowledge his contributions to the evangelization ministry. For the above reasons, the Father Bruce Wilkinson Founder’s Award was inaugurated at the Atlanta Archdiocesan Martin Luther King, Jr. 2002 Celebration. Since then the award has been presented annually to a deserving lay person or member of the clergy or religious life, who has distinguished himself/herself in the ministry of evangelization.
Description of the Award
The award is a keepsake box made of fifty-year old cherry wood. The Alpha, Omega, and Kairos symbols on the top of the box are to remind us of the omnipotence of the Father and the presence of Christ in our lives. On the sides of the box are depictions of the Ghanaian Adinkra symbol called ‘Sankofa,’ which means “Return to your roots, don‘t forget your past.” This is to remind the recipient of his/her rich culture and heritage. On the back is the logo for the Office for Black Catholic Ministry (OBCM). On the front is a raised cross in solid ebony, to remind the recipient that he or she has taken and will continually have to take up his/her cross and follow Jesus. On the bottom are etched the words “Office for Black Catholic Ministry Archdiocese of Atlanta” and the name of the artist, along with the year. The interior of the box has a cushioned base, made from African fabric and sits on a cherry wood platform. The platform has a black and gold metal plate inscribed with the title of the award, the name of the recipient, and the year.
The award was designed by Emefa Selormey and crafted by Winston King.
2005 MLK Celebration Weekend
rooted in LOVE • grounded in PEACE • united in JUSTICE
The Shrine of the Immaculate Conception • 48 MLK Jr. Drive