Catholic Charities honors one of their own

Service to others is the backbone and mission of Catholic Charities North Dakota (CCND). Through important programs like the Adults Adopting Special Kids adoption program, the Pregnancy, Parenting and Adoption Services program, the Guardianship Services program for vulnerable adults, and counseling services, CCND assists hundreds of clients across the state. 

Each year, CCND honors an individual or individuals “in good standing with the Catholic Church who, and/or a Catholic organization which, has by example and deed served persons in need and/or advocated for justice and/or convened other persons of good will to do the same in a manner consistent with Catholic Social Teaching” with the annual Caritas Award. The 2025 Caritas Award recipient is former CCND board chairman Steven Lies of Wahpeton. Lies was honored at an awards luncheon on Mar. 11 at Sts. Anne and Joachim Church in Fargo. 

“The term Caritas means love and compassion,” said CCND’s Executive Director Kari Dew. “When I think of the work that we do, it is the correct term to describe CCND. We are honoring someone who spent many years as the Chairman of our Board of Directors. His love and compassion for our organization helped us to grow, thrive and do our best work across the state of North Dakota.” 

Catholic Charities North Dakota is committed to a threefold mission of service, advocacy, and convening. In selecting a recipient for the annual Caritas Award, CCND seeks to identify persons and/or organizations who have made significant contributions and/or accomplishments in one or more of these areas. CCND’s awards committee determined Steven Lies meets all of these attributes and so much more. 

Steven Lies attended Catholic school at St. John’s Academy in New Rockford. He attended the University of North Dakota (UND) where he earned a Political Science degree. He was also very active in UND student leadership and with the UND Newman Center. After graduation, Lies was appointed North Dakota Deputy Secretary of State serving as legal counsel. He practiced law in Wahpeton, where he and his wife, Patty, and their family are parishioners of St. John’s Church. 

Lies’s involvement with Catholic Charities North Dakota includes a nine-year term on the CCND Board of Directors, seven of those years as board chairman. His professional and personal accomplishments and service to those in need in North Dakota are numerous, and according to his award nomination, “the focal point of Steve’s life has been faith in the Lord and service to his fellow man.” 

“I was surprised and extremely humbled to receive this award.” said Lies. “It shows that Catholic Charities North Dakota recognizes the work I did and the life I tried to lead, and for that I am thankful and honored to receive this award.” 

“I love days like this because it gives me a chance to brag about our employees and the challenging yet rewarding work they do,” said Kari Dew. “They make a difference in so many ways; they are often so modest and just do what needs to be done. I can honestly say that from my observations, their impact is phenomenal.”