On Thursday, January 29, 2026, the English-Speaking Catholic Council (ESCC) celebrated the 2026 Bishop Crowley Memorial Award at the Marie-Léonie-Paradis Hall in St-Joseph Oratory. The evening welcomed 67 attendees, including community partners, parishioners, friends, and family, in recognition of extraordinary service to Montreal’s English-speaking Catholic community.

First awarded in 1983, the Bishop Leonard J. Crowley Memorial Award has honoured dedicated service to the community for more than four decades. Named in memory of Bishop Leonard J. Crowley (1921-2003), whose commitment to strengthening English-speaking parishes, promoting lay leadership, fostering collaboration and unity, and founding The Pillars Trust Fund, helped shape the community. A list of past recipients is available on the ESCC website: https://catholiccouncil.ca/recipients-of-the-bishop-crowley-award/.

This year’s award was presented to the late Michael Kieran, a parishioner at St. Edmund of Canterbury parish, Beaconsfield, whose legacy includes 25 years service on the Pillars Trust Fund board. His family accepted the award on his behalf, deeply moved by the recognition of his faithful dedication and generous leadership.

Highlights of the evening included introducing members of the ESCC board and celebrating the newly formed young adult group, emphasizing collaboration, unity, and the importance of including all members of the community.

A cocktail reception followed the formal presentation, offering attendees a meaningful opportunity to reconnect, exchange ideas, and strengthen relationships across the Montreal archdiocese. Musical interludes throughout the evening were provided by two young violinists, Julia Plumer and Aniss Lee, music students at Mc. Gill University, highlighting the talents of the next generation, and adding a reflective and celebratory tone to the evening.

In previous years, the Bishop Crowley Award was presented during the Catholic Community Rally, where ministries, movements, and organizations showcased their work through exhibits and information tables. Such gatherings fostered awareness, volunteer engagement, and collaboration across Montreal’s English-speaking Catholic Community, while parishioners learned about available services, volunteer prospects, and collaborative projects.

Continued opportunities for organizations to come together remain central to strengthening the community and further enhancing vitality, viability, visibility, engagement and connection. Looking ahead, the ESCC plans to host two annual conferences—one for young adults and another for the wider community—while continuing to incorporate the Bishop Crowley Award as a moment of recognition and unity; and reinstating the Catholic Community Rally to bring organizations and parishioners together. Local organizations and parish teams are encouraged to get involved to strengthen community connections and service.

For more information about ESCC, please visit their website: catholiccouncil.ca

Maribel Mayorga
Press Officer, Archbishop's Office and
Director, Communications and Media relations
Archdiocese of Montreal