The IXTHUS Award is presented annually to a group or individual within the Diocese of Belleville who exemplifies the qualities of fidelity, integrity, service and humanity.
The Greek word for fish is ixthus. The letters, in Greek, stand for “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.”
This fish symbol was used primarily among the earliest Christians as a means of identifying or acknowledging a fellow believer in Jesus without the need for any verbal communication being exchanged. In order to avoid persecution, Christians would often draw an ixthus in the dirt, mud, sand, or on the walls of caves to let other Christians know that they too were fellow believers and that it was safe to talk about their faith without the fear of being turned in.
The Southern Illinois Association of Priests adopted this historic symbol for their annual award, and attributed to the English word for fish the characteristics the earliest Christians so boldly and courageously showed to fellow believes centuries ago.
Previous recipients:
2017
Adorers of the Blood of Christ Liberian Martyrs
Sr. Joel Kolmer, ASC
Sr. Shirley Kolmer, ASC
Sr. Kathleen McGuire, ASC
Sr. Agnes Mueller, ASC
Sr. Barbara Ann Muttra, ASC
2016
Sr. Grace Mueller, SSND
2015
Mr. Lou Slapshak
2014
Mr. & Mrs. John Laker (Bobbi)
2013
Ms. Claire Hatch
2012
Mrs. Cheryl Sommer
2011
Mr. Peter Cerneka
2010
Sr. Julia Huiskamp, DC
2009
Mrs. Sherry Miller
2008
Belleville Diocesan Finance Council
Mr. Bill Knapp
Mr. Andrew Blassie
Mr. J. Roy Dee
Mr. Martin Duffy
Mrs. Debbie Edwards
Rev. Msgr. Don Eichenseer
Mr. James Friederich
Ms. Irene Kruse
Mr. David Rau
Sr. Jan Renz, ASC
Mr. David Spotanski
Rev. Dennis Voss
2007
Mr. & Mrs. Tom Smith (Fran)
2006
Parish Life Coordinators
Mrs. Brenda Pehle
Sr. Mary Catherine Clark, ASC
Mr. & Mrs. Darren Eultgen (Cindy)
Sr. Carol Karnitsky, SSCM
Sr. Grace Mueller, SSND
Sr. Diane Turner, SSND
Sr. Catherine Wellinghoff, ASC
2005
Rev. Msgr. Carl Sherrer
2004
Ms. Colette Kennett
2003
Mr. & Mrs. Rod Kelley (Sarah)
2002
Rev. Roger Vermalen Karban
2001
Ms. Alice Gardner
2000
Faithful of Southern Illinois (FOSIL)
1999
Mr. Florian Beuckman
1998
Mr. Philip Buettner
1997
Mrs. Margie Mensen
1996
Mrs. Elsie Speck
1995
Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Hasenstab (Barbara)
1994
Mr. Raphael Middeke
1993
Most Rev. William Cosgrove
1992
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Gruenninger
1991
Mr. Mike Kish
1990
Ms. Irene Kruse
1989
Sr. Cecelia Hellman
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF PRIESTS 