CBPA Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Mike Leach, May 31, 2007

Bernadette Price, Director of Mission Education of Maryknoll Orbis Books and CBPA Board Member gave a wonderful tribute to Mike for an audience of about 500 at the Religious Booksellers Trade Exhibit in St. Charles on May 31, 2007.  There were three applause tributes and a standing ovation for Mike during this brief award ceremony.

Here are a few key points that were made by Bernadette:

- “When I told Mike that he would be receiving the CBPA Lifetime Achievement Award he said, “It’s like winning an Oscar, only better.”
-  “You or someone you know has touched, seen, bought, sold, read or loved a Mike Leach product.  He has worked on over 2000 books in his more than 35 year career.”   The room broke out in it’s first of 3 applause tributes. 
-  “Mike’s career in publishing has spanned from Seabury Press to President/Publisher of Crossroad/Continuum to Publisher Emeritus and Editor at Large at Orbis Books.” 
- “Mike had edited or published hundreds of authors including Nobel Prize and National Book Award winners, including such names as Joyce Rupp.  In addition to this he is also a Doubleday author, co-author of “I Like Being Catholic”.  
-  “Publisher, editor, writer, mentor, Mike has influenced and inspired literally a generation of Catholic writers, readers and book publishers.”
 

Jill Kurtz, CBPA Board of Directors President, and Marketing Director of Our Sunday Visitor presented the CBPA tribute to Mike Leach with these words...

“First Mike, I’d like to read this Letter of Commendation.
 
It is with deep admiration and affection that, on behalf of the Catholic Book Publishers Association, the Board of Directors presents this Apostolic Blessing from our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, to Michael Leach.

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In recognition of a lifetime of dedication to the values supported by Catholic publishing.  As author, editor, and publisher, few have achieved excellence in, and had such profound influence on, so many facets of the Catholic publishing industry.  Presented with respect and gratitude, this 31st day of May in the year 2007 A.D.
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As president of the Catholic Book Publishers Association, I have the great honor of presenting the Lifetime Achievement Award to Mike on behalf of the board.  In February 2007 when the board met and discussion came up about our Lifetime Achievement Award, using this criteria: 

This award is bestowed upon a person, group, or association whose influence on the Catholic media has been marked by significant accomplishments that have advanced the work of the Church in a notable manner.

It was unanimous Mike, that we present this award to you.
(At this time the Apostolic Blessing was presented to Mike – there was another round of applause.)

Knowing your love of movies, we wished to have a special “production” to commemorate this occasion.  What better way to honor you, than presenting you with our version of Oscar.  (At this time Mike was presented with a special tribute award, a 14” Oscar-like stature that had the CBPA 20th Anniversary Banner Logo engraved on the statue and the inscription read,
             “The dean of Catholic publishing”  Lifetime Achievement Award – May 2007

(There was another round of applause before Mike gave a brief but eloquent acceptance speech, acknowledging all those who have been a part of his life, from his roots as a native of Chicago, the love and support of his wife and family, the life long friendship of his fellow seminarians, and of course the wealth of friends that he has had the pleasure to meet from his years of service to the Catholic Book publishing industry. The award presentation ended as the audience offered Mike their well wishes with a standing ovation.)