During the 2025 Catholic Men for Jesus Christ Conference, Father Jeffrey Kegley was recognized for his papal honor. This photo shows Bishop O’Connell presenting the award to Father Kegley in December. Matt Marzorati photo
The Feb. 22 Catholic Men for Jesus Christ Conference included recognition of three individuals for their longstanding support throughout the conference’s history and service to St. Mary Parish, Middletown.
Father Jeffrey Kegley was acknowledged for having been named a recipient of a papal honor, The Pro Ecclesiae et Pontifice Award. Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., presented the award to Father Kegley in December on behalf of Pope Francis. The honor translates to “On Behalf of the Church and the Pope” and is one of the highest honors bestowed by the Pope upon chosen members of the clergy and lay faithful. Father Kegley serves as pastor of St. Mary Parish, Middletown; diocesan liaison to the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, and is the longtime chaplain to the CMJC.
The George Rose Champion of Faith Award was presented to Ken Ginsky, recognizing Ginsky’s involvement with the CMJC during the organization’s 28-year history. Ginsky is a member of St. Mary Parish.
Before he died in August 2023, Mr. Rose had been an active member of St. Raphael-Holy Angels Parish, Hamilton, and was a CMJC organizer and key board member for many years. Mr. Rose was also a co-host of Domestic Church Media’s radio program, “Brothers in Arms.”
St. Mary parishioner Ben Constance was acknowledged for his Eagle Scout project in which he constructed the Stations of the Cross in an outdoor area near the Shrine of Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament on the campus of St. Mary Parish.
Upon completing the project, Constance requested that the garden be dedicated in memory of Mr. Rose. At the conference Constance presented a memorial plaque that was made to be placed near the Stations of the Cross garden.
Ben Constance, a member of St. Mary Parish, holds the plaque to be placed near the Stations of the Cross he constructed for his Eagle Scout project. Constance requested his project be dedicated to George Rose, who was an organizer of the Catholic Men’s conference. At. left is Bill Maher, president of the Catholic Men for Jesus Christ. Mike Ehrmann photo