Local couple honored with 2023 Citizen Recognition Award

Congratulations to Dr. Carnie and Maura Nulton, recipients of The Missouri Catholic Conference (MCC)’s 2023 Citizen Recognition Award for the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph.

The mission of the MCC is to promote the common good in the state of Missouri and our global community. Each year, the MCC recognizes a Catholic citizen, couple, or group from each of the four dioceses in the state who strives toward the same goal, giving of themselves to better the lives of others. These award recipients exemplify good citizenship in promoting Catholic values in the public policy arena and in their local communities and parishes.

Dr. Carnie and Maura Nulton have been strong advocates and change leaders in the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph for many years. When their son was born with Down’s syndrome, they dreamed of him attending his local Catholic school with his siblings. They gathered a group of like-minded parents of children with disabilities. Together, they started the FIRE Foundation, an organization that provides grants to Catholic schools to fund paraprofessionals for students who could not otherwise attend. For more than 25 years, FIRE and the Nultons have supported Catholic education in an inclusive learning environment for hundreds of students with disabilities. In addition, the Nultons have been leaders and advocates in other areas of their Catholic community. They were members of the Journey to Bethany volunteer planning committee. Journey to Bethany is an organization that serves those harmed by clergy sexual abuse through actions of healing and justice.

Bishop James Johnston presented the Nultons with their award on October 20, offering his personal gratitude for their many years of faithful support, leadership and commitment to inclusive Catholic education and healing in our diocese.