Five members of the Los Angeles Catholic community who have served both church and community for many years will be honored at the 2004 Cardinal's Award Dinner, to be held Feb. 7 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills.

This year's honorees --- profiled on these pages --- are Robert Ahmanson, Kathleen Leavey McCarthy, St. Joseph of Carondelet Sister Cecilia Louise Moore, John O'Keefe and Ed Rose. The 2004 honorees bring to 73 the number of men and women honored with the award since 1990.

Funds raised from the Cardinal's Award Dinner have supported programs, agencies and relief efforts in all pastoral regions of the archdiocese. This year's proceeds will help in the building of a new worship space at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Oxnard. For information on the 2003 Cardinal's Award Dinner, call (213) 637-7636.

Following are brief profiles of the 2004 honorees.

Robert Ahmanson
Traveling around Los Angeles, it's hard to miss the name Ahmanson, which has become synonymous with charitable giving in Southern California.

Started by Howard and Dorothy Ahmanson, the Ahmanson Foundation has been at work in the community for more than 50 years, touching an endless array of places, programs and people. The foundation supports libraries, open spaces, schools, museums, hospitals and countless community endeavors.

According to current president Robert Ahmanson, participating in the construction of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels was --- and continues to be --- a high point of the foundation's community involvement.

Robert Ahmanson

"I think the cathedral is the best thing that has happened to Los Angeles today," says the Omaha native who is the second non-Catholic Cardinal's Award honoree (Lew Wasserman was the first, in 1998).

"Look what that cathedral has done for the population of our city," says Ahmanson, who then pauses thoughtfully before adding: "It's a beautiful, relaxing place and I personally get a lot of solace from being there."

Indeed, even though the Ahmanson Foundation is ecumenical in nature, it has through the years supported many Catholic causes, such as Catholic Charities, St. Anne's Maternity Home, the Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women and many local Catholic high schools and colleges.

"Catholic schools provide some of the best education around and we want to keep them going," says Ahmanson.

A gentle man with a twinkle in his eye, the 76-year-old Ahmanson arrived in Los Angeles in 1944. He lived in Hancock Park with his Uncle Howard, who, he says, "became like a brother to me." In 1947 Howard began Home Savings of America which would grow into a leading lending institution; in 1952 the Ahmanson Foundation was born.

Ahmanson was a part of the family business from the beginning, and later served as director and officer of the company for many years. Carrying on the family commitment, Ahmanson took leadership of the foundation in 1974.

Ahmanson met his wife Kathleen when both were students at UCLA; she was studying Art History, he Business Administration. They would have three children, and today, daughter Karen has been an active part of the foundation, with the determination of keeping the legacy going for years to come.

In addition to his foundation work, Ahmanson has served on the board of trustees for the Jules Stein Eye Institute, the Los Angels County Museum of Art and the Brain Mapping Medical Research Organization.

At heart, Ahmanson is a man who practices a "quiet charity" with a kind-hearted manner. He asserts that his foundation work is "the most fulfilling and satisfying thing I have ever done. Even though there are long days, I wouldn't trade any moment of it away."

Even more poignant for Ahmanson is when he receives letters from Ahmanson-sponsored scholarship students --- especially from young people back in his Omaha hometown attending Creighton University. "These kids in small towns are so thankful," he says. "They write about their life on the farm and it's inspirational. It makes all this work worthwhile. They just make your day."

Kathleen McCarthy
Generosity is genetic, for Kathleen Leavey McCarthy. As the daughter of Thomas and Dorothy Leavey, McCarthy carries on the commitment and vision of her parents through their philanthropic foundation which supports educational, medical and social programs in not just Los Angeles, but the world.

"My father believed that if you were lucky and fortunate enough to receive, you are responsible for giving back to the community," says McCarthy about Thomas Leavey, co-founder of Farmer's Insurance who began the foundation in 1952.

McCarthy's mother Dorothy --- also a woman of great charitable giving --- was one of the first recipients of the Cardinal's Award in 1990. Mrs. Leavey took up the mantle of the foundation when her husband died in 1980.

A gracious woman with a warm smile, Kathleen determinedly continues the work and ideals of her parents who were dedicated Catholics. It's estimated that the Leavey Foundation has contributed well over $100 million to educational, medical and community causes.

Kathleen McCarthy

The Leavey Foundation has supported many Catholic causes such as the Right to Life League, the Archdiocese Education Foundation, Catholic Big Brothers/Big Sisters and the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. It's a tradition that McCarthy carries on with great resolve.

Indeed, the family faith is reflected in McCarthy's busy daily life whether it's trying to find suitable retirement housing for the Sisters of Social Service, fundraising for a new Catholic Center at USC, catching up with her four children and 13 grandchildren and counting her "faith as a wonderful blessing."

Among her many blessings, McCarthy counts her late husband Thomas McCarthy who, after mom Dorothy died in 1990, carried on the work of the foundation until his death in 1996.

The couple met at USC when McCarthy was studying English and Thomas was working on his law degree. They were married in 1956, and the two lived at March Air Force Base for three years while Thomas completed his military service.

Moving back to West Los Angeles, Kathleen and Thomas settled near St. Paul the Apostle Church which became home for themselves and their children. Today, two of McCarthy's children are active with the foundation, striving to address its goals and carry on its tradition for years to come.

In addition to the work of the foundation, McCarthy is on the board of trustees at Loyola Marymount University, USC, Saint John's Health Center and the Los Angeles County Museum. She's also an active Patron of the Arts of the Vatican Museums.

McCarthy admits that much of the foundation's generosity has contributed to buildings, worship spaces, halls and classrooms. One of the foundation's goals, she says, is to provide places for work, contemplation and learning. McCarthy hopes that students or anyone walking passed a building that has been named either for her parents or late husband will see beyond just a name.

"I hope they realize that someone believed in what was taking place in this building," she says. "And I hope that when they get older, they will turn around and feel the same obligation to give back and become a part of a bigger picture."

Sister Cecilia Louise Moore, CSJ
A dedication to service and a belief that education can last a lifetime are two guiding principles that have led St. Joseph of Carondelet Sister Cecilia Louise Moore through her many leadership roles in the Los Angeles Archdiocese --- including being the first woman and first religious chancellor for the archdiocese.

Associated with educational institutions of the archdiocese for virtually her entire career, Sister Moore has been described as a calm, determined and wise leader whose infectious love of learning flows from her own personal experience.

A Phoenix native, Sister Moore began her education path graduating from St. Mary's Academy in Inglewood and later entering the religious community in 1945. She pursued her love of chemistry, obtaining a B.S. degree from Mount St. Mary's College in 1953 and later her Ph.D. from St. Louis University in 1958.

Sister Cecilia Louise Moore

It was then that Sister Moore decided that the best way to inspire young minds was to share her passion of science and education. She taught at St. Cecilia School and St. Mary's Academy. In 1957, she was appointed to the chemistry faculty at Mount St. Mary's; she was later promoted to full professorship and finally chair of the Department of Physical Sciences from 1959 to 1964.

When Sister Moore was a mere 39 years old, she was named president of Mount St. Mary's, the youngest in its history. For 11 years, she guided the school, students and faculty with fairness and intelligence.

"Leadership," she said in an interview, "must be a cohesive force so that all contributing agents work together, not against each other."

After resigning her post at the college in 1976, Sister Moore was named archdiocesan associate superintendent of secondary schools and colleges in 1978, a position she held for eight years. In 1986 she was named secretariat director for educational and formational services where she helped implement a Comprehensive Planning Program for Catholic high schools to assess allocation of resources.

Sister Moore's service as chancellor --- from 1997 to 2002 --- was a rewarding experience as she oversaw the archdiocese's charitable foundations, such as the Cardinal McIntyre Fund, Together in Mission Campaign and various priest and religious retirement collections.

"This position has helped me grow in appreciation of church service, outreach and compassion with a genuine striving to be instrumental in the good news of Christ's presence," said Sister Moore. She would eventually leave her post due to health reasons.

Sister Moore embraced a host of other positions, including serving as the director of the William H. Hannon Foundation, trustee of Mount St. Mary's, and on the board of directors at Daniel Freeman Memorial Hospital. Within the St. Joseph of Carondelet community, Sister Moore has served as assistant superior, provincial councilor and apostolic board chairman.

All in all, Sister Moore's commitment to enlivening the educational landscape in Los Angeles cannot be underestimated.

"One of the most obvious and most simple means God uses to work his everyday miracles is the process of education," summed up Sister Moore. "The educational system we devise for them must be value-oriented, humanizing and civilizing."

John O'Keefe
As a man for others, John O'Keefe began his life lessons early. "I have always tried to emulate my father," says the 65-year-old Westwood resident. "He never preached to us about helping others; he lived the faith by example for us."

Growing up in Evanston, Illinois, near Chicago, O'Keefe says his father's involvement with their parish, schools and community organizations was inspirational. "He really had a great joy in helping others," he says. "Doing for others made him so happy."

Even though he calls himself "an ordinary guy," O'Keefe has inspired others to find that joy in giving of themselves.

An active parishioner at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Westwood, O'Keefe has led parish outreach programs, started a young adult club, served on the parish council, and helped organize fundraising endeavors. Education is one of O'Keefe's passions; he was the founder of the St. Paul School Foundation that helps economically disadvantaged students attend the school.

John O'Keefe

Later, when his children attended Marymount and Crespi Carmelite High Schools, O'Keefe served on various financial and fundraising committees. He continues to advise Marymount, even though his three daughters have long since graduated.

"I love asking people for money," O'Keefe says with a cheery smile. "Because I love to see people at their best. When they are being generous and giving, they are top-notch."

An investment banker, O'Keefe arrived in Los Angeles when his company relocated him here in 1966. Not knowing where to find a place to live, O'Keefe drove the neighborhoods and liked the feel of Westwood; it reminded him of his hometown --- small, friendly and close to a thriving university.

Establishing roots in Southern California also meant finding a parish, and for more than 40 years, O'Keefe has called St. Paul the Apostle home. There he met and married his wife Patricia; his four children were baptized and schooled at the parish as well.

Indeed, his faith has brought him to other endeavors. For more than 20 years, O'Keefe has been greatly involved with Paulist Productions, an organization that produces Catholic-based television programs and major motion pictures. He's been on the board, managed portfolios and raised funds to promote Paulist films such as "Romero" and "Entertaining Angels: The Dorothy Day Story."

For O'Keefe, learning about Dorothy Day was a spiritual epiphany. "That got me involved in the downtown soup kitchen," he says. "She talks about the 'long loneliness' people face in their daily lives. She writes that the only escape from that emptiness is love and community."

A good example of love and community is when O'Keefe and fellow parishioners sponsored a Vietnamese family that arrived in the states with neither money nor prospects, but plenty of hope and faith. Parishioners sent the father to school for mechanic's training and helped the mother secure a job at St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica.

The family worked hard and later bought a house; the children studied and eventually graduated from college. "We didn't give them a handout, we taught them how to fish," says O'Keefe. "I think the ultimate gift is helping people learn how to help themselves."

Ed Rose
Ed Rose has always strongly believed in the power of each struggling person to turn their life around, make a difference and then, give something back to others. He doesn't base this on theories or conjectures --- he sees it every day as he walks the hallways and talks to the people involved in a thriving non-profit service institution he helped to start.

Meet Each Need With Dignity (MEND) has affected thousands of people in the Northern San Fernando Valley and beyond. Providing more than food and clothing to people in need, MEND offers medical and dental programs, English instruction, tutoring, sewing and cooking classes, employment support and a host of other services. It's operated almost entirely with volunteers.

"Every person has a talent and that talent can be put to use here," stresses the 66-year-old Rose. "They really are the people who motivate me. When you get face to face with people, understand their problems, you can see what strength and determination they have."

Ed Rose

Indeed, life as an ongoing education process is an idea that comes naturally to this North Hollywood native, who has always found the power of his commitment driven by faith.

A financial analyst for Lockheed Martin (he retired in 1994), Rose traces the beginning of MEND back to 1968. He and wife Carolyn, along with parishioners of Santa Rosa Church, collected furniture and clothing to deliver to the needy of the area. Unable to store the extra materials at the church, Rose used his garage.

In 1971, the ministry grew with more local churches getting involved, and soon MEND moved into a rented warehouse building on Van Nuys Boulevard. MEND purchased the building in 1981 with the help of volunteers organizing bake sales and car washes, as well as support from institutions and individuals like Cardinal Timothy Manning.

Today, MEND is a vibrant meeting ground for volunteers and families in need. There's even talk of moving MEND to a bigger nearby location.

In addition to his commitment at MEND, Rose has voluntarily brought humanitarian aid to several Central American countries, visiting refugee camps and helping with elections in Haiti in 1990.

Active in his parish of Our Lady of Peace in Mission Hills, Rose regularly works with the Justice and Peace ministry, Their latest project involved getting the city to install better street lighting in the neighborhood.

And finally, Rose's dedication to the principles of Cesar Chavez began in the 1960s when he worked with the United Farm Workers. Today, he helps organize an annual Chavez parade and Mariachi Mass, celebrating the message of the civil rights leader. For the past three years, Rose has also been on a committee to construct a monument of Chavez in San Fernando that he hopes will inspire others to "be of service to one another."

Rose contends that the Cardinal's Award is not just for him, but for every person who reaches out to help another fellow human being. "This recognition is for all the good work of volunteers everywhere, especially at MEND," he says. "This is for all the people who put their faith into action."