The 2004 Isaac Hecker Award for Social Justice was presented on Saturday, January 29th, 2005 at 6pm to:

Dr. Paul Farmer

Paul Farmer has been described as “a gifted man who is in love with the world and has set out to do all he can to cure it.” Doctor, Harvard professor, renowned infectious-disease specialist, antropologist, recipient of a MacArthur “genius” grant, Dr. Farmer found his life’s calling in medical school: to diagnose and cure infectious diseases and to bring the lifesaving tools of modern medicine to those who need them most. Through his work primarily with HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, Dr. Farmer, a North Adams native, shows how radical change can be fostered in situations that seem insurmountable. He has also been instrumental in creating an organizaton called Partners In Health whose mission is to provide a preferential option for the poor in health care. By establishing long-term relationships with sister organizations based in settings of poverty, Partners in Health strives to achieve two overarching goals: to bring the benefits of modern medical science to those most in need and to serve as an antidote to dispair. They draw on the resources of the world’s elite medical and academic institutions and on the lived experience of the world’s poorest and sickest communities. At its root, their mission is both medical and moral. It is based on solidarity, rather than charity alone.

The Hecker Award recognizes North American Catholics, like Dr. Farmer, who have dedicated their lives to justice and peace.

Information and Nomination Guidelines (2006 Award)

Since 1974, the Paulist Center Community has presented the Isaac Hecker Award for Social Justice to an outstanding North American Catholic. Recipients of the award have included locally and nationally recognized women and men -- lay people, sisters, priests, and bishops. Some have been involved in direct service to those in need, others in advocacy work and the transformation of structures and institutions. Many of the recipients have been committed to both these dimensions of social action. Most of them overtly and directly connected their faith and action. All have been committed to building a more just and peaceful world. Please view our list of past recipients.

Isaac Hecker, founder of the Paulist Fathers, was particularly concerned with the growth and development of American Catholicism. Isaac Hecker and the early Paulists devoted themselves to mission preaching, communication of the Word of God. Hecker's spirituality involved looking to the heart, listening to the Spirit, and living in America. The Award was named to honor Isaac Hecker.

Typical nominations, from Paulist Center Community Members, are 5-10 pages in length, with a cover letter expressing the specific reasons for which you nominate the person(s). Nominations include:

• Biographical information with details pertinent to your nomination.
• Detailed description of nominee's social justice activities or project; include how the nominee calls the Paulist Center to further its social mission.
• Supportive information abut other social justice activities in which the nominee has been involved, e.g., articles about or by nominee.
• Names and contact information of two references.

The Committee has only your written nomination upon with to consider your nominee.

Deadline: October 25

Send nominations to: Hecker Award Committee, c/o Susan Rutkowski