Mary Parlin, retired editor of the West Nebraska Catholic magazine and West Nebraska Register was nominated by Fr. Todd Philipsen for the 2022 Catholic Extension Lumen Christi Award.
Although she was not selected as a finalist, the Diocese will receive $1,000 to continue the work and ministry of the West Nebraska Catholic Magazine.
Mary was hired in 1978 as the typesetter for the West Nebraska Register by Father Bernard Berger who was editor at the time. She was named co-editor in 1991 by Bishop McNamara with Marilyn Zastrow. After Marilyn retired in 1998, Mary became editor.
The West Nebraska Register format was changed to a magazine format, West Nebraka Catholic in May, 2020 under the guidance of Bishop Joseph Hanefeldt.
Mary retired July 1, 2022 after 42 years of service to the Diocese. She plans to fill her time with family, painting watercolors, quilting and gardening.