The St. Dismas Award

The St. Dismas Award is given annually, by Dismas Ministry, to persons in recognition of their outstanding service to the incarcerated. The Board of Directors puts out a call for nominations in the fall of the year prior to the award year and a special committee of the board reviews all nominations.  The award winner is announced in November and the award ceremony takes place on or near the Feast of St. Dismas on March 25.

Announcing the 2024 St. Dismas Award Recipient – John Hallinan

The Board of Directors of Dismas Ministry is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2024 St. Dismas Award. John Hallinan will be presented with the award in spring 2024 at a special event in Anchorage, Alaska.

John is retired from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). He is an active member of the Holy Family Cathedral (HFC) Parish in Anchorage.

Gil Lulay, a fellow prison minister, nominated John. Gil wrote: “John has been the driving force in spreading Dismas Ministry’s Bible study course (God With Us) throughout the Department of Corrections in Alaska. For the last seven years, he has been a Eucharistic Minister, counselor, advisor, teacher and cheerleader for our parish prison ministry program. He has helped grow the program and introduced more course offerings and other Catholic resources to the prisoners served. His unwavering dedication to serving others in this way is known throughout the state.”