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St. Paul University Catholic Center Receives Christ Brings Hope Award

Stephanie Foleyby Stephanie Foley

On Friday, September 28, Relevant Radio® 1240 AM in Madison, Wisconsin, honored the St. Paul University Catholic Center with the Christ Brings Hope Award, accepted by Fr. Eric Nielsen, Executive Director, and Scott Hackl, Sr. Advancement Director.  Held at the Monona Terrace in downtown Madison, it was a joy-filled and energetic event attended by many long-time Relevant Radio and St. Paul University Catholic Center supporters and students.

Highlights included Chuck Neff, who served as the emcee for the evening. Fr. Nielsen is a long-time contributor to Chuck’s show The Inner Life® which airs weekdays at noon Eastern/9am Pacific on Relevant Radio. Joan Carey, a long-time associate of the St. Paul Center and former member of their National Advancement Council and Executive Committee, gave a humorous introduction to Fr. Nielsen, Scott and the St. Paul Center mission, rounding it out with a short but powerful video on the mission of St. Paul’s.

Tom Vorpahl, Chairman, and Fr. Francis Hoffman “Fr. Rocky,” Executive Director, presented the award to Fr. Nielsen and Scott, followed by the recipients’ powerful and heartfelt comments about their work for the St. Paul mission and the gratitude for all the support they receive.

Two former UW-Madison students gave their testimonials about the impact that St. Paul’s had on their lives.  Maggie Melchior, who was received into the Catholic Church at St. Paul’s about 10 years ago, has now gone on to serve the Church as a Religious Education coordinator at a parish.  Hannah Hazzard, who was received into the Church this past April at St. Paul’s, is now completing her Masters as UW-Madison.  Both shared how it was all due to Fr. Eric and the St. Paul Center that they embraced the Catholic Faith and found in it the real “beauty, truth, and goodness” as Maggie stated.

The evening ended with a beautiful performance by the St. Paul Candlelight Choir singing an acapella arrangement of “Come Thou Font.” The choir sings at the 9pm Candlelight Mass at St. Paul’s on Wednesday evenings.

Relevant Radio 1240 AM is proud to serve alongside the St. Paul staff and support their mission.  Relevant Radio offers their continued prayers and support to Fr. Eric Nielsen and Scott Hackl as they continue to serve countless young adults, the future of our Church

Stephanie Foley

Stephanie Foley

Stephanie Foley serves as a Digital Media Producer at Relevant Radio®. She is a graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville, where she studied journalism, and she has worked in Catholic radio for 12 years. Stephanie is a wife, a mother of three boys, and in her free time she enjoys reading, running, and really good coffee. You can find more of Stephanie’s writing at relevantradio.com and on the free Relevant Radio mobile app.