The Lumen Gentium Awards were inaugurated in 2004 by Bishop Gregory M. Aymond as a way to recognize Catholics who exemplified the spirit of the Vatican II docoument Lumen Gentium. Initially bestowed each year, in 2013 Bishop Joe S. Vásquez decreed that the awards be given every other year.

2019 - Deacon William “Dave” & Elaine Shoemake
Deacon “Dave” died Jan. 2, 2019. He was ordained in San Antonio in 1979. He was widely admired and respected by the parishioners and all denominations of the Belton community. He had a passion for serving the youth, the poor and the elderly. He was so loved by his wife Elaine and family who supported him in the performance of his diaconate responsibilities.

2017 - Ronnie & Karen Hinze
Ronnie and Karen Hinze have been parishioners since 1987. Ronnie’s various religious and community activities depict his compassion to help others. He has held several officer positions with  the  Knights  of Columbus. Together, they served as chairs for the parish’s main fundraiser, 2017 Spring Fest. Karen has sung in the choir and played musical instrumentals during liturgical services. For more than 20 years, they developed and led the “Respect for Life” ministry.

2015 - Tom & Wanda Slye
Tom and Wanda have exemplified the spirit of Christ as parishioners for more than 20 years. Their hard work and dedication with the beautification of our parish grounds and the preparation of banquets along with involvement in the parish festival have been an integral part of parish life. Tom has been a member of Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus while Wanda has been a member of the Women’s Ministry. They both live their baptismal call by being examples of disciples of Christ.

2013 - Diane Waite
Diane Waite hails from upstate New York and studied chemistry in college. She moved to Texas in the 1970s with her husband, Al. She has worked in education, as a teacher and principal at public and Catholic schools. She is a certified spiritual director and currently directs several people. She is a past president of the Woman’s Ministry (DCCW) and coordinator of extraordinary ministers of holy Communion and lectors. She is also a board member of Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center. She ministers to inmates at the Bell County Jail and the Crane Unit in Gatesville. She participates in the Lions Club and attends daily Mass.

2012 - Dan and Lita Daniel
Dan and Lita have been parishioners for seven years after retiring from the U.S. Army and a professional organizational consultant, respectively. Hailing from St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, they have been an integral part of the parish since their arrival. Dan has served as Grand Knight and Faithful Navigator of the Knights of Columbus Council and Assembly. He is on the Spring Fest steering committee, is an extraordinary minister of holy Communion, an instituted acolyte and IT liaison for the office staff. Lita is member of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, secretary of the Pastoral Council, a member of the festival committee and is an extraordinary minister of holy Communion. They do all of this with a “yes first” mentality.

2011 - John and Joan Gillette
John and Joan have served the parish for more than 20 years. She is co-president of the Parish Council of Catholic Women. Under her leadership, the women take care of the sacristy, purchase hosts and sacramental wine and clean and care for the sacred linens and vestments. She also organized the parish’s first Fit & Fun Run. She is an extraordinary minister of holy Communion, parish hospitality team member, bereavement committee member, Meals on Wheels team member and Belton Literacy Volunteer. John is a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus, the parish liaison to the Helping Hands Food Ministry, a core team member for Mary Hardin Baylor Catholics, parish landscape engineer and a choir member. The couple has taken single mothers into their home, fed homeless people at Christmas and they regularly attend daily Mass.

2010 - Gabriel and Teresa Quinones
2009 - Suzi Rockwood
2008 - Jerry Simpson, Sr.
2007 - The Children of Pedro and Tiburcia Jimenez
2006 - Robert and Alma Trevino