Judy Haag, a member of the Church of Our Lady in Manannah, was chosen as the 2017 ?ÄúWoman of the Year?Äù for the Diocese of New Ulm Saturday, April 29, at
St. Mary?Äôs Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye. Bishop John Levoir presented the award during the New Ulm Diocesan Council of Catholic Women Convention.
This year?Äôs recipient is a women with strong faith and great dedication to her church. She and her husband have raised three sons in the Catholic faith and she continues to be a positive influence in the lives of her grandchildren.
Haag often serves as a Lector and Extraordinary Minister and has taught Faith Formation for 40-plus years. She introduced the ?ÄúTheology of Body?Äù program and teaches it as well. She also initiated the ?ÄúSpiritual Adoption?Äù program, beginning each year at the Roe vs Wade anniversary and culminating with a parish-wide baby shower benefiting Birthline. She and her husband have led the Confirmation program for 20 years. They also lead the parish youth group and began youth mission trips, which they continue to organize and chaperone.
A woman of strong conviction, Haag has been co-chair of the local ?Äú40 Days of Life?Äù program since its beginning at the St Cloud Planned Parenthood. She and her husband lead a ?ÄúWord and Communion?Äù service at her local nursing home twice a month as well as Bingo monthly.
As already evidenced, Haag lives out her great reverence for life. She served as the Diocesan Chairman for ?ÄúRespect Life?Äù for many years. She continues in this role for her parish and region. She has presented the ?ÄúSpiritual Adoption?Äù program at the Regional Gathering as well as at a Diocesan Convention. Active in CCW for more than 40 years, she has served as her parish?Äôs President, Reverence Life Coordinator, and Circle Chair. Haag is a faithful participant of her CCW group?Äôs annual fundraisers, and a dedicated member of the funeral committee. She regularly attends Diocesan CCW events.
Because of her commitment to family, her elderly father was able to stay in his own home until his death at the age of 98 this last year. Living close by, she tended to his needs regularly including his attendance at daily Mass.
Haag is the 26th recipient of the New Ulm Diocesan ?ÄúWoman of the Year?Äù award.