EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A retired monsignor from El Paso is among the finalists for this year’s Lumen Christi Award, given out by the Catholic Extension Society.
Retired Monsignor Arturo Bañuelas is one of eight finalists for the award, which is given to those who “radiate and reveal the light of Christ present in the communities they serve,” according to the Catholic Extension Society.
Bañuelas was picked from 41 nominees. The Catholic Extension Society provides funding and support for isolated and/or financially under-resourced Catholic dioceses in the United States, the group said.
Bañuelas served as a priest for 46 years before retiring in 2022, according to the El Paso Diocese.
He served as pastor at two of the diocese’s largest parishes — St. Pius X and St. Mark the Evangelist.
While at St. Pius X, Bañuelas started the Tepeyac Institute which serves as a training ground for laity to serve in ministry. The El Paso Diocese says it is now one of the largest in the nation in that role.
“Twelve hundred people participated in the first classes offered (at Tepeyac). Thirty-seven years later, 72,000 people have participated in the Tepeyac Institute’s formation programs. Further, almost 100 percent of El Paso’s parishes have sent their parishioners to Tepeyac. Every parish in El Paso has ministers that have been trained by Tepeyac,” according to the Catholic Extension Society.
Catholic Extension Society said that what was remarkable about Bañuelas was that Tepeyac wasn’t even his day job. For years, he guided two of El Paso Diocece’s largest parishes, where he had a reputation for being an inspiring speaker who was dedicated to helping the poor.
His Sunday homilies were recorded and widely distributed. Many Catholics in El Paso would plan their week around being able to hear Bañuelas give his sermon.
Award finalists receive $15,000 to support and enhance their ministry. The winner will be given a $100,000 award, split between the honoree and their nominating diocese.
The award recipient will be announced in the fall.
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