Media Center 2015 CATHOLIC OF THE YEAR AWARD PRESENTED TO CRS PRESIDENT AND CEO CAROLYN WOO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Susan Walters
Catholic Relief Services
(410) 925-8268
[email protected]

Baltimore, MD, December 31, 2015 – Catholic Relief Services (CRS) President and CEO Dr. Carolyn Y. Woo has been selected by nationally renowned publication Our Sunday Visitor (OSV) as one of 2015’s Catholics of the Year. She joins seven others, religious and lay leaders who, according to OSV, “made an indelible mark in 2015.”

"I am so humbled by this selection. As you know for all that we do, the Holy Spirit is the mover, our colleagues are the laborers in the vineyard, and as it is, I hold back so much. The selection is as generous and grace-filled as it is undeserved. The CRS work is a privilege as we become part of God's miracles and the hands and feet that play a role in fulfilling His promise to leave no one behind."

Writing in OSV, Lisa Hendey, founder of the CatholicMom.com blog, said, “A gifted yet always humble executive with academic and professional credentials too numerous to detail, Woo embodies the spirit of ‘The Joy of the Gospel’ through joyful missionary action in a worldwide mission territory.”

Under her leadership in 2015, CRS helped victims of the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that leveled 500,000 homes in Nepal, refugees from the violence of Syria’s civil war, and millions of other suffering people around the world.

In addition, Dr. Woo was one of five international leaders who were at the Vatican with Pope Francis for the launch of Laudato Si, his highly anticipated encyclical on caring for our common home.

This year also saw the release of Dr. Woo’s memoir Working for a Better World that recounts the faith journey that brought her to CRS, challenging readers to lead lives of joyful service.

“God has called me to serve others. Nothing less should be expected of me,” said Dr. Woo.

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Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. The agency alleviates suffering and provides assistance to people in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding. For more information, please visit crs.org or crsespanol.org and follow CRS on social media: Facebook, @CatholicRelief, @CRSnews, YouTube, Instagram and Pinterest.