Cardinal Roger Mahony presented St. Joseph of Carondelet Sister Mary Brigid Fitzpatrick with the papal honor the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross Dec. 18.

The Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice --- which means "for the church and the pope" --- is presented to both men and women to recognize their personal commitment and outstanding service within the ecclesial community. The person honored receives a cruciform medal as well as a personalized certificate.

"Sister Mary Brigid's dedication has been superb," said Cardinal Mahony, "and I add my personal gratitude for her many years of service, generosity of spirit, and years of caring involvement in the work of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles."

Sister Fitzpatrick served in the Office of the Archbishop and the Office of Special Services from 1985 until her retirement in December. At 82 and in good health, Sister Fitzpatrick said she will continue to volunteer and assist the cardinal's staff on special projects as needed.

A St. Joseph Sister of Carondelet for nearly 54 years, Sister Fitzpatrick earned a master's degree in social work from Catholic University and a doctorate in sociology from the University of Notre Dame. She taught grade school students at St. Boniface Indian School in Banning as well as St. Cecelia School and St. Mary's Academy in Los Angeles. For some 17 non-consecutive years she served on the faculty and in administration at Mt. St. Mary's College as an associate professor and chair of the Department of Social Welfare and the Department of Sociology, as dean of faculty, dean of the graduate school, director of the Doheny Campus and associate director of the school's Academic and Advisement Center. She later was appointed to the Board of Trustees.

In her religious community Sister Fitzpatrick served as assistant provincial superior, provincial superior, provincial councilor/regional superior and held national and regional elected and appointed committee memberships with the Leadership Council of Women Religious.

Receiving the papal honor is "a tremendous surprise," said Sister Fitzpatrick. "Whatever gifts I had they seemed to be what was needed in my ministries," she added modestly. "I've held positions I would never have dreamed of being in. I was moving to God's call day by day and believing that this is where God wanted me to be." Sister Fitzpatrick said she also has been sustained by the support and encouragement of co-workers and of her religious community.