Papal medal recipient's delight

Sue Roberts receives her medal from the Bishop of Wrexham

A woman has been awarded a prestigious medal for her hard work within the Catholic church.

The pro ecclesia et pontifice medal (for the church and for the Pope) is awarded to non-clergy church members.

Sue Roberts, 53, of Pwllheli, Gwynedd, said she was surprised and delighted to receive the accolade.

The bishop of Wrexham, the Right Reverend Edwin Regan, said she had been recognised for her outstanding work throughout Wales.

My first reaction was to refuse it, because I don't do the work to get a medal Sue Roberts

"Mrs Roberts was the inspiration behind the restoration of Sant Garmon's church in Abersoch," said Bishop Regan.

"The refurbishing of a flat to provide free accommodation to visiting priests as long as they take services has been a tremendous success.

"We are in a situation where all the dates for 2007 are full and we have a free supply of priests to take services for all the people that visit Abersoch during the season."

Mrs Roberts, was also recognised for her work as secretary of the Cylch Catholig (Catholic Circle) in Wales for many years, said Bishop Regan.

'Busman's holiday'

"It was a huge surprise when I heard that I'd been awarded the medal, and my first reaction was to refuse it, because I don't do the work to get a medal," said Mrs Roberts.

After thinking it over she decided, however, that the medal would be recognition of the work done by all the people who had helped her.

"I think it has given the whole parish a boost, and is recognition of all their hard work," said Mrs Roberts.

An afternoon walk with her husband originally spurred Mrs Roberts into action to save the old church.

"Despite it being a warm and dry day the building was damp on the inside, there was a hole in the roof and the guttering was gone. The weeds outside the door were almost as tall as me."

Mrs Roberts hit on the idea of refurbishing the clergy's accommodation to a high standard to offer a "busman's holiday" to clergymen who could stay there free as long as they conducted two services in the church.

The accommodation is then rented out as holiday lets for the rest of the year, helping to pay the upkeep of the church.