Stritch alumni honored by Archdiocese of Milwaukee
The Archdiocese of Milwaukee Vatican II Awards were established in 1991 to honor men, women and young adults who exemplify the Catholic Church’s vision set forth in the Second Vatican Council. Two Stritch alumni were selected by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki to be recognized for their service to the Body of Christ in southeastern Wisconsin.
Congratulations to Laura Hancock and Gail Kraig for this well-deserved recognition of your transformational work !
Laura Hancock, '12
Service in Ecumenism
The focus on ecumenism that began in college and blossomed at Messmer is today borne out by Hancock’s membership of the Milwaukee Catholic Jewish Conference with the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, as well as the Interfaith Conference of Milwaukee’s Committee for Interfaith Understanding. She is also a member of the Ecumenical and Interfaith Advisory Board for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Currently, Hancock is the director of social justice and outreach with the Family of Four parishes on Milwaukee’s Eastside, Downtown and Riverwest neighborhoods. “It’s been a blessing to serve as a liaison between parishioners and Milwaukee area service and advocacy groups, as well as facilitating small groups related to Catholic Social Teaching, racial justice, and interfaith work,” Hancock said.
-Milwaukee Catholic Herald
Gail Kraig, '08
Service in Administration
"Most of her career has been spent in Catholic education; she has been a music teacher at Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary School and St. Mary and St. Joseph schools in Fond du Lac, and later taught sixth grade at Fond du Lac Area Catholic Educational System (FACES). She served as the director of development at St. Mary’s Springs High School and as a teacher in the theology department, while also coaching cheerleading and directing the music liturgy choir. In 2002, Kraig became the parish consultant for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee for Dodge, Fond du Lac and Sheboygan counties. In 2008, she was hired as the principal of St. Mary School in West Bend and, in 2010, took on the challenge of becoming principal at Catholic East Elementary, where she led a team that significantly increased enrollment and financial donations over the course of four years. She became the first director of advancement at Holy Family in 2014. Four years later, her role was expanded, and she now serves as director of parish operations. “I truly enjoy finding ways to engage others in creating new and exciting opportunities for growth and systemic change,” said Kraig. “My mantra has always been to strive to meet people wherever they are in their faith life journey and then, without judgment, do whatever I can to bring them closer to Jesus Christ.”
-Milwaukee Catholic Herald