Bishop Pfeifer enjoys the festivities at the announcement of MACC expanding from the Cultural Center to a Catholic College in 2008.

The Mexican American Catholic College (MACC) will honor Bishop Michael Pfeifer with the San Juan Diego Leadership Award for his life-long commitment to Hispanic Ministry.  The award, a beautiful crystal eagle,  will be presented during the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) General Assembly on Monday November 14, 2011.  The reception will be held in the Falkland Room at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront, 700 Aliceann Street, Baltimore MD, 21202.

MACC President, Dr. Arturo Chávez and the Chairman of the Board, Most Rev. Oscar Cantú, will present the award. "The eagle is a powerful and meaningful symbol for both the United States and Mexico representing courage and integrity. It represents St. Juan Diego who's indigenous name means, He Who Speaks Like an Eagle," explained Dr. Chávez.  "Hispanics are already the majority of U.S. Catholics under the age of 25.  Unfortunately, they are leaving the Church in record numbers to join other denominations actively seeking them out through home visitations and lively worship services in Spanish.  Leaders like Bishop Michael are needed now more than ever to find innovative ways to bring the Gospel and catechesis to Hispanics and all Catholics searching for belonging and meaning."

Bishop Pfeifer’s longstanding commitment to the mission of MACC, including his twenty five years of service on the Board, is a testament to the importance of the Church's outreach to Hispanics.  During his 15-year tenure as Chair, he was instrumental in expanding MACC’s mission to become an institution of higher education precisely to prepare seminarians, deacons, religious and lay leaders to effectively and faithfully promote the Church's call for a new evangelization.

Bishop Pfeifer was born in Alamo Texas and ordained to the priesthood in 1964.  In 1985 he was appointed Bishop by Pope John Paul II  to serve as  Shepherd for the Catholic Diocese of San Angelo.  Prior this, he served in parishes and schools in Brownsville Texas, Mexico City, and Oaxaca.  Bishop Pfeifer also served as Provincial Superior for the  Southern U.S. Province and Mexico for the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in the eighties.  He is renowned for his sense of humor, humility, and results oriented leadership at the Texas Catholic Conference and on several USCCB committees, especially promoting Multicultural and Hispanic Ministry.