Seth Deleery -- "Model of Servant Leadership" -- receives 2003 Perry Award

The Rev. Seth Deleery, a priest in the Diocese of Texas for nearly 30 years, was honored by the Seminary of the Southwest during its recent graduate reunion convocation.

Deleery, rector of St. Richard's, Round Rock, for ten years, received the Hal Brook Perry Award during the Blandy Lectures on September 16. Deleery, a 1974 seminary graduate, was cited for "transforming the lives of countless clergy, innumerable parishioners and generations of seminarians."

"Native Texan, adopted son of Round Rock and model of servant leadership, you have faithfully served the Diocese of Texas for nearly three decades," read the citation that accompanied the award. Deleery served St. Martin's and Trinity Church in Houston, St. Michael's, La Marque, and St. John's, Austin, during the 1970s and 1980s. A five year stint as Canterbury chaplain at the University of Texas and 15 years of volunteer chaplaincy at St. Andrew's Episcopal School in Austin was followed by diocesan service in the early 1990s as canon to the ordinary.

Deleery receiving award from the Rev. Patrick Miller '00, Seth's former assistant

"With a deft ability to work with any personality type," the citation read, "you mentored scores of our seminarians during their field education work (at St. Richard's) with a simple mantra - be present in the lives of the people you serve. Love your people."

The seminary alumni/ae association honors an ETSS graduate each year with the Perry Award to recognize outstanding and faithful ministry. The full text of Deleery's citation reads:

"Native Texan, adopted son of Round Rock and model of servant leadership, you have faithfully served the Diocese of Texas for nearly three decades.

"Attracted to the Episcopal Church as a teenager when you first heard John Hines preach, you have honored his spirit by transforming the lives of countless clergy, innumerable parishioners and generations of seminarians. After graduation from the Seminary of the Southwest in 1974, you began a ministry that ranged from parish priest and chaplain to canon to the ordinary and -- for one year -- missionary to Iran.

"You served St. Martin's and Trinity Church in Houston, St. Michael's, La Marque, and St. John's, Austin, during the 1970s and 1980s. A five year stint as Canterbury chaplain at the University of Texas and fifteen years of volunteer chaplaincy at St. Andrew's Episcopal School mixed with diocesan service in the early 1990s as canon to the ordinary. You were called to St. Richard's in Round Rock ten years ago and, since then, the parish has grown with the city's burgeoning population - a congregation of 100 now numbers 1,800. With a deft ability to work with any personality type, you mentored scores of our seminarians during their field education work with a simple mantra - be present in the lives of the people you serve. Love your people.

"James Clements, suffragan bishop of Texas in the late 1950s and one of your early mentors, cautioned you - "Don't let your vocation burden you. Make sure you enjoy it." Rejoicing in the joy you have shared through nearly thirty years of your distinctive ministry of presence, we present you with the Hal Brook Perry Award."