Aug. 2, 2012
The National Association for Pastoral Musicians (NPM) has given its highest award - the Jubilate Deo - to Monsignor Kevin Irwin, the Monsignor Walter J. Schmitz, S.S., Professor of Liturgical Studies at The Catholic University of America. The award was presented July 26 at a breakfast at the NPM's annual convention in Pittsburgh. Monsignor Irwin delivered a plenary address at the convention titled "Church Discipleship In and Through the Liturgy" the day before.Cardinal Daniel Di Nardo, archbishop of Houston-Galveston and a CUA trustee and alumnus, delivered the invocation at the breakfast and participated in the award ceremony for Monsignor Irwin. The award honored Monsignor Irwin for his "tireless advocacy of liturgical renewal, rigorous scholarship in service of the Church, and dedicated leadership in pastoral ministry," according to the award citation.NPM has presented the award annually since 1996 to honor a person who has made a significant contribution to the worship life of Catholics in the United States.The National Association of Pastoral Musicians fosters the art of musical liturgy. The members of NPM serve the Catholic Church in the United States as musicians, clergy, liturgists, and other leaders of prayer.
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