MOUNT HOLLY — On May 1, the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, St. Joseph College Seminary bestowed its inaugural “Noli Timere Award” on Bob Gallagher in honor of his longstanding and stalwart support for the Catholic faith in western North Carolina.
The award is named after the college seminary’s motto, lifted from the words of St. Matthew’s Gospel. The angel commands courage of St. Joseph, telling him, “Do not be afraid.”
“The award is designed to shine a light on an individual who was undaunted in his or her courageous defense of the faith, who did not fear to take the Church’s welfare as one’s own responsibility.
This award, therefore, is about faithful and courageous discipleship,” the college seminary’s rector, Father Matthew Kauth, said in making the presentation.
“I know of no single individual in our diocese who has done more for the defense and promotion of the Catholic faith than our friend we honor this evening: Bob Gallagher. We thank you, we honor you and may God reward you.”
Pictured with Bob Gallagher and his wife Jackie are (from left) Monsignor Patrick Winslow, vicar general and chancellor of the diocese; Father Kauth; and Father Timothy Reid, vicar of education for Catholic Schools.
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter
Watch this special video tribute to Bob Gallagher: