BRIGHTON — At a July 21 ceremony at the Franciscan Hospital for Children, Sister Margaret Youngclaus, SND, received the 2004 National Apostolate for Inclusion Ministry (NAFIM) Service Award in recognition of her many years of helping disabled children and adults. Sister “Peggy,” as she is affectionately known, serves as coordinator of religious education at the Franciscan Hospital for Children, a pediatric rehabilitation facility in Brighton.

In addition to her work at the Franciscan, Sister Peggy is co-director of the Simon of Cyrene Society, an organization she co-founded with Msgr. Thomas McDonnell with the mission to serve the social and religious needs of disabled children, adults and their families. In the 25 years since the group’s inception, the membership has grown from nine to more than 500. Among the services offered are prayer meetings and religious instruction, socials, and respite/vacation time at two of the society’s Cape Cod houses.

Sister Peggy has received a number of awards, including the Massachusetts Outstanding Citizens’ Award, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives Citation for Distinguished Service to Persons with Disabilities, and the Distinguished Service Award for Civic and Humanitarian Service from the South Shore Association for Retarded Citizens.