Diocesan Office of Hispanic Ministry director nominated for Lumen Christi award

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Maria Cruz Gray

SALT LAKE CITY — Maria Cruz Gray, the director of the diocesan Office of Hispanic Ministry, has been nominated for a prestigious national award. The Lumen Christi award, which has been given by Catholic Extension annually since 1978, is the organization’s highest honor and is given to those who radiate the light of Christ in the communities where they serve.

Gray is one of 41 nominees from dioceses across the United States. The nominees “remind us that faith is still a relevant force in our society and culture,” according to Catholic Extension’s website. “They remind us that there is so much energy and generosity in our Church. They remind us that there are people willing to sacrifice for the good of others.”

As director of the Diocese of Salt Lake City’s Office of Hispanic Ministry since 1999, Gray has traveled the diocese to serve the members of the Utah Hispanic Catholic community who now number more than 200,000 (80 percent of Utah Catholics). Gray and her husband, the late Deacon Forrest Gray, are the parents of three children, the youngest of whom is Father Christopher Gray, pastor of Saint Mary of the Assumption Parish in Park City.

A native of Spain, Maria Cruz Gray has been instrumental in the development of EMAUS, a four-year program that trains Spanish-speaking lay ecclesial ministers. The diocese now has 116 active EMAUS leaders.

Gray was nominated for the Lumen Christi award by Shannon Lee, director of the diocesan Office of Development and Stewardship.

“You meet her, and Maria Cruz just radiates the light of Christ,” Lee said. “It’s the work that she does throughout the entire diocese. The Office of Hispanic Ministry is a two-person office and there isn’t a county in Utah that Maria Cruz hasn’t traveled and taught in. There isn’t a parish or mission in Utah that has a Spanish Mass that there isn’t someone there that knows Maria Cruz. Everyone knows Maria Cruz Gray in the Hispanic community throughout Utah. She is there when she is needed; she is everywhere.”

In her nomination, Lee wrote, “Since 1999 Maria Cruz Gray has worked tirelessly for the Hispanic community in Utah. She doesn’t see the word ‘Director’ as a job title. She approaches her ministry as a way of life. She has a Hispanic Commission that represents the Spanish-speaking parishes and missions. They meet five times a year to determine what needs to be done to help the parishes/missions and their parishioners. She has leaders in place to make this happen. The Hispanic community in Utah has faith in Maria Cruz Gray. And Maria Cruz Gray has faith in the Hispanic community in Utah. Lives are being transformed by the faith of Maria Cruz Gray.”

In a letter of recommendation that accompanied Lee’s nomination, Bishop Oscar A. Solis wrote, “For more than twenty-five years of ministry in the Diocese of Salt Lake City, Maria Cruz finds the energy to offer her time, talent, and treasure for the good of the Church in a most generous and self-giving way. Her life of service for the people of God in Utah is the epitome of a new missionary disciple of Christ who witnesses the servant leadership and essential role of lay women in our Church today.”

Monsignor J. Terrence Fitzgerald, vicar general emeritus, has worked with Gray for many years and holds her in high regard.  “Maria Cruz is truly the Lumen Christi, the Light of Christ for Utah’s Hispanic community and beyond,” he said. “Her faith shines brightly as she travels the state, visiting small mission communities, providing instruction and a joyful, hopeful spirit.  During her spare time, she is handing sandwiches out for the homeless or collecting clothing for those in need. This humble apostle certainly deserves recognition.”

Gray has received many awards over the years, including Years of Dedication and Contribution to the Spirit and Success of the Southwest Liturgical Conference, 2011; The National Catholic Association of Diocesan Directors for Hispanic Ministry’s Outstanding Diocesan Director of Hispanic Ministry Award, 2012; National Association for Lay Ministry, 2013 Juan Diego Award; Angel of the Month, TV Station KUTH Univision 32 (Spanish-language cable TV), July 2023 and Angel of the Year, TV Station KUTH Univision 32, 2023.  

In past years, Catholic Extension has invited the public to vote for their favorite nominee, but this year there will be no public vote. Award finalists will receive $10,000 to support and enhance their ministry. There will be five to 10 finalists. From among these finalists, the Lumen Christi Award recipient will be selected and given a $25,000 grant, along with an additional $25,000 grant for their diocese. The recipient will be announced in the fall and will receive his/her award in a ceremony in his/her home diocese.

Catholics in the Diocese of Salt Lake City have previously been nominated for the Lumen Christi award, among them are Msgr. Fitzgerald in 2013 and Ruben and Rosario Cano of San Rafael Mission in 2017.

Catholic Extension (previously the Catholic Church Extension Society) was founded in 1905 in Lapeer, Mich. by Father Francis Clement Kelly “to bring the sacraments to remote faith communities across the country,” according to its website. Today Catholic Extension’s support reaches more than 15 million Catholics in poor dioceses. The Diocese of Salt Lake City has received funding from Catholic Extension many times over the years, most recently in 2022 to help construct the Annunciation Education Center at the San Isidro Mission in Elberta.