CHAMPIONS FOR FAITH-FILLED CHANGE

Opus Prize laureates are unsung heroes who, in the face of improbable odds, are creating change in their communities.

Prize laureates demonstrate meaningful faith and creativity through their inspiring work. Their leadership and dedication is helping people transform their lives.

2023

HOLY TRINITY PEACE VILLAGE KURON

IN HONOR OF BISHOP PARIDE TABAN
SOUTH SUDAN

The late Bishop Taban was the founder of South Sudan’s Holy Trinity Peace Village Kuron, an intentional community for people of diverse ethnic backgrounds who have experienced conflict. South Sudan gained independence in June 2011 after more than 50 years of armed struggle and conflict in the North. As a result, South Sudan has more than 3.25 million people living in United Nations camps for internally displaced or refugee camps in neighboring countries. In response, Bishop Taban established Holy Trinity Peace Village Kuron as a peaceful destination where human dignity can flourish. The Village’s operations focus on agriculture training, education, health services, and food security, as well as conflict resolution and peacebuilding, forever changing the lives of thousands of Sudanese.

Read more about Holy Trinity Peace Village Kuron.

2022

Community Renewal International

IN HONOR OF MACK MCKARTER
SHREVEPORT, LA, USA

Community Renewal International “intentionally builds and grows positive, caring relationships,” a mission statement known and advanced by every volunteer and member of the international staff. CRI connects neighbors and residents to restore the foundation of safe and caring communities through three primary strategies — Renewal Teams, Haven Houses and Friendship Houses — turning neighborhoods into safe havens of friendship and support.

Read more about Community Renewal International.

2021

Red Cloud Indian School

IN HONOR OF FR. PETER KLINK, S.J. AND BOB BRAVEHEART
Pine Ridge, USA

Founded by the Jesuits in 1888, Red Cloud has educated thousands of primary and high school students, many of whom have gone on to college, technical schools or service in the military. They graduate from Red Cloud with not just an education, but with a personal roadmap for a better life.

Read more about Red Cloud Indian School.


2019

SR. CATHERINE MUTINDI

BON PASTEUR
KOLWEZI, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

In 2012, Sr. Catherine, in consultation with local communities developed a five-year plan which focused on addressing alternative livelihoods to mining, including farming; gender violence and the physical abuse of children; child protection policies and schooling for children; and civic strengthening given the “gold rush” environment of the mining entities.

Bon Pasteur’s vision is an inclusive and democratic Congolese society where the rights of girls, women and children are protected and promoted.

Read more about Sr. Catherine’s work.

2018

DR. RAMI NASHASHIBI

INNER-CITY MUSLIM ACTION NETWORK (IMAN)
CHICAGO, USA

Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN) has spent nearly two decades implementing grassroots programs serving vulnerable families on the South Side of Chicago. Reflecting Muslim faith traditions, IMAN works closely with Jewish and Christian leaders to manage programs that address health, leadership development, arts and culture, transitional housing, food access and advocacy for prison reform. Dr. Nashashibi is supported by a well-trained staff and partnership with more than 40 public and private organizations.

Read more about Dr. Nashashibi’s work.

2017

SISTER MARILYN LACEY

Mercy Beyond Borders  South Sudan and Haiti

Sister Marilyn Lacey founded Mercy Beyond Borders in 2008 after a visit to Sudan where she saw what she described as “by far the most devastated place” she’d ever experienced during her decades of work with refugees around the world. With operations in South Sudan and Haiti, Mercy Beyond Borders brings hope to more than 1,400 women and girls annually by providing educational, economic and empowerment opportunities where there are few options to escape extreme poverty.

Read more about Sister Marilyn Lacey's work.


2016

Sarah Lance

Sari Bari                       Kolkata, India

Sarah Lance founded Sari Bari to offer freedom to the women of Kolkata, India who are trapped in the sex trade or vulnerable to being trafficked. The women are paid a living wage and given healthcare benefits, a pension, tuition assistance for their children and opportunities for advancement.

Read more about Sarah Lance's work.

2014

Sister Tesa Fitzgerald

Hour Children
Long Island City, New York

Sr. Tesa Fitzgerald, a Sister of St. Joseph for 50 years, leads Hour Children in Long Island City, Queens, which helps incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women and their children successfully rejoin the community, reunify with their families and build healthy, independent lives.

Read more about Sister Tesa Fitzgerald’s work.

2013

SAKENA YACOOBI

Afghan Inst. of learning
Herat, Afghanistan

Sakena Yacoobi leads the Afghan Institute of Learning, which empowers Afghan women and girls through education, health services and teacher training, operating on the belief that improved education and health for women is the most effective response to terrorism and violence.

Read more about Sakena Yacoobi’s work.


2012

FR. Richard Frechette

Saint Luke Foundation
Port-Au-Prince, Haiti               

Fr. Rick Frechette, an American priest and doctor, leads the St. Luke Foundation for Haiti, which provides education, healthcare and dignified humanitarian outreach to more than 150,000 people each year while employing more than 1,600 Haitian staff.

Read more about Father Richard Frechette’s work.

2011

Lyn Lusi

HEAL AFRICA
GOMA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

Lyn Lusi, who passed away in 2012 after a courageous battle with cancer, led HEAL Africa in Democratic Republic of the Congo, which provides holistic care for victims of sexual violence and war, addressing the physical, social and spiritual needs of its patients.

Read more about Lyn Lusi’s work.

2010

Sr. Beatrice Chipeta

Lusubilo orphan Care Project
Karonga, Malawi

Sr. Beatrice Chipeta, a Catholic nun and retired teacher, leads Lusubilo Orphan Care Project in the Karonga district of Malawi, which manages a food distribution and infant formula program, instructs mothers on nutrition and proper child care and organizes support groups.

Read more about Sr. Beatrice Chipeta’s work.


2010

FR. John Halligan, S.J.

Working Boys' Center
Quito, Ecuador

Fr. John Halligan, a Jesuit priest from New York, leads Working Boys' Center, a comprehensive approach which provides food, shelter, healthcare, access to school, vocational training and a variety of social services to approximately 400 families each year.                                                       

Read more about Rev. John Halligan’s work.

2009

Aicha ech channa

Assoc. Solidarité Féminine
Casablanca, Morocco

Aïcha Ech Channa, a Moroccan human and civil rights activist, leads the Association Solidarité Féminine in Casablanca, which provides services and job creation for unmarried women and their children, including day-care centers and training schools, restaurants, kiosks, a fitness center and more.

Read more about Aïcha Ech Channa’s work.

 

2008

MaggY Barankitse

Maison Shalom
Bujumbura, Burundi

Margeurite "Maggy" Barankitse founded Maison Shalom, or “House of Peace,” which provides a safe haven for children and orphans, including former child soldiers, who have survived civil unrest and violence in war-torn areas.                                                                                                          

Read more about Maggy Barankitse’s work.


2007

Br. Stan Goetschalckx

AHADI IntL Institute
Kigoma, Tanzania                        

Br. Constant Goetschalckx leads AHADI International Institute, Tanzania, which educates refugees from the Congo, Rwanda and Burundi by providing post-secondary training via a distance-learning program and instruction.                                        

Read more about Br. Stan Goetschalckx’s work.

2006

Dr. Zilda Arns Neumann

Pastoral da Criança
Curítiba, Brazil                                 

Dr. Zilda Arns Neumann, a pediatrician who passed away in the 2010 earthquake, led Pastoral da Criança, an innovative public health program that works with more than 265,000 volunteers to help families.                                                                        

Read more about Dr. Zilda Arns Neumann’s work.

2005

FR. Trevor Miranda, S.J.

Reach Education Action Programme
Thane, India

Fr. Trevor Miranda founded the Reach Education Action Programme in India, a system of 450 literacy centers providing opportunities for children, as well as training programs for women to learn professional and life skills that help develop their communities.

Read more about Fr. Trevor Miranda’s work.


 

2004

MSGr. Richard Albert

Helping Hands for the Poor, Inc
Kingston, Jamaica

Msgr. Richard Albert, who passed away in Jamaica in 2015, led Helping Hands for the Poor in Kingston, Jamaica, a network of charities and institutions that provide basic services and skills to thousands each year.

Read more about Msgr. Richard Albert's work.