But Luisa de Poo stopped her. According to Bibbo, the secretariat director of life, charity and justice said, “No, Jennifer, you’re getting the Drum Major for Justice Award.”

“I was so surprised,” Bibbo said. “Even afterward, I was like, ‘Wait, what? Me? Why?’”

The Diocese of Austin presents the Drum Major for Justice Award annually to a member of the diocese whose work brings to life the sentiments in Dr. Martin Luther King’s “The Drum Major Instinct.” In the 1968 sermon, King warned about how the desire to be important can lead to sin and instead encouraged servant leadership and mirroring Christ’s love for others.

Bibbo was nominated for the 2025 Drum Major for Justice Award by Emmanuel Villarreal, associate director of parish and community engagement for Catholic Charities of Central Texas.

“She exemplifies what it means to live a life of service toward others — especially those living at the margins of our society,” he said. “She is kind and compassionate in her interactions with those in need, stands steadfast as an advocate for the poor and is committed to building a more just and peaceful society.”

At St. Thomas More, Bibbo likes to tell parishioners that she wears “two hats.” One hat involves overseeing 14 ministries ranging from conception to natural death. In this role, she manages and guides committee members and volunteers. “I don’t do the ministries — I’m more of a helper,” she said.

The second hat Bibbo wears is that of de facto social worker, where she assists people in need who come to the parish. Currently, the parish is walking with an immigrant family from Venezuela, an 89-year-old man, a prostitute and a woman who lived out of her car for six years.

“When I say I walk with them, we pray with them, help them,” Bibbo said. “I think my talent is, if I reflect on it, my gift to connect.”

After eight years in the role, she has made many connections in parishes, Catholic organizations and other nonprofits. In addition, the St. Thomas More community always steps up when she asks for assistance.

“I don’t do it all by myself,” Bibbo said. “Every person that we walk with, there’s always a group supporting that individual or family.”

Father Keith Koehl, pastor of St. Thomas More, is grateful to have Bibbo in the outreach and pastoral care position, as she ensures the ministry reflects Catholic social justice. “She helps the marginalized, the ‘unseen,’” he said. “She sees them. She does many things behind the scenes that people wouldn’t be aware of or notice.”

She also is not afraid to make the statements that need to be made to address where injustice takes place, Father Koehl said. “Jennifer is unique and has a genuine heart for reaching out to people in need. She goes above and beyond.”

Bibbo is the first to admit that the job is not always an easy one and that there are rewards as well as setbacks. For instance, it took three years for her to convince a woman in need of permanent shelter to move into affordable housing.

But she is proud of what she has accomplished, especially launching an all-parish service day her second year in the position. The first Saturday of each March, Bibbo secures as many as 400 volunteer positions within the Austin community. Parishioners have wrapped diapers for Catholic Charities, sorted the clothes closet at Annunciation Maternity Home in Georgetown, helped at food banks and soup kitchens, visited nursing homes, and much more. For families with children and older parishioners, she makes sure to have opportunities they can partake in, too.

Not only have other parishes followed suit, but the diocese now has a service day, too. “I’m glad to see it taking off,” Bibbo said. “As Catholics, we should be the hands and feet of Christ. We should be out there serving and giving back.”