April 20, 2018

Catholic Human Services Of The Archdiocese Of Philadelphia Honors Volunteers Who Made Significant Contributions To The Church’s Works Of Charity Last Year

 Today at a special ceremony held at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center, Catholic Human Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (CHS) marked the closing of National Volunteer Recognition Week by honoring dedicated volunteers.

Auxiliary Bishop John J. McIntyre, who oversees the Secretariat for Catholic Human Services as part of his administrative and pastoral responsibilities blessed more than 30 volunteers from CHS programs located throughout the five-county Archdiocese. He was joined by Mr. James Amato, Secretary for Catholic Human Services who recognized and thanked volunteers for significant contributions they made to the Church’s works of charity last year.

Bishop McIntyre said, “I extend my heartfelt appreciation for the dedication to the mission of the men and women who work for and volunteer with CHS. Their daily efforts – giving their best to treasure the dignity of all God’s children – invite us all to do whatever we can to share in that mission.”

 Below is a list of volunteers who were honored today. They represent 4,146 CHS volunteers who provided a combined total 81,342 volunteer hours to the Church’s works of charity last year:

 Bucks County Family Services (Levittown)

  • Sister Pat Kelly, MSBT, is a former staff member who now volunteers in Family Services

Catholic Housing and Community Services (Delaware County)

  • Kate Paffett volunteers with Eldercare Program in her own parish of St. Andrew the Apostle in Drexel Hill, developing program resources and connecting parishioners with needed services.

Divine Providence Village (Delaware County)

  • Miss Lauren Pippet is a 7th grade student from Saint Anastasia School in Media who assists women that reside on campus to participate in Sunday Mass and special events.

Don Guanella Village (Delaware County)

  • Mary Chollet and Mr. Thomas Reinke from Saint John Chrysostum Parish in Wallingford welcome Don Guanella residents to the parish Inclusion Mass.

Fatima Catholic Outreach Center (Bucks County)

  • Evy Tolentino facilitates pro bono legal representation for immigrants.
  • William Murphy, of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Philadelphia, works with the Soccer League and assists with outreach efforts.
  • Frank Giancroce, of Assumption BVM Parish in Avon Grove, facilitates the Soccer League’s referee training.
  • Brenda Ramos from BB&T Bank teaches financial literacy classes.

 Mercy Hospice (Philadelphia)

  • Ruth Breland, of Saint Martin de Porres Parish in Philadelphia, sorts clothing and baby care items received as donations.

Montgomery County Family Services (Montgomery County)

  • Fred Cianni helps clients with resume writing, interview skills, and job search.
  • Bill Silk of Saint Paul Parish in Norristown, and Mr. Jerome Campbell, a local high school senior, assist Martha’s Choice Marketplace clients and stocks inventory.
  • Miss Mary Quinn Forbes, a second grade student at Saint Helena School, donated her birthday money to buy hats and gloves for needy families.

Northeast Family Service Center (Philadelphia)

  • Colleen Danka of Annunciation of the BVM Ukrainian Catholic Church runs activities for seniors and assists in the community food cupboard.

Nutritional Development Services (Philadelphia)

  • Sister Maureen Widmeier, SHCJ provides office support to community food programs.

Our Lady of Hope Parish Outreach (North Philadelphia)

  • Daisy Fontanez and Ms. Tamara Oakman from Our Lady of Hope Parish in North Philadelphia volunteer as English as a Second Language (ESL) tutors.

Refugee Resettlement Program (Delaware County)

  • Larry Blankenmeyer, Ms. Norma Yabut, Mr. Lou Altomare from Saint Vincent de Paul Parish in Richboro, and Mr. Robert Cermignano from St. Margaret Parish in Narberth, lead donation and collection drive efforts for refugees and new immigrants.

Saint Edmond’ Home for Children (Delaware County)

  • Mary Ann Palmer, from St. John Fisher Parish in Boothwyn, is a former resident of Saint Edmond’s Home for Children, now visits weekly with the Young Adult Group.

Saint Francis-Saint Vincent’s Homes for Children (Bucks County)

  • William Fuller from Saint Charles Borromeo Parish in Bensalem, drives residents to Mass on Sundays

Saint Gabriel’s Hall (Montgomery County)

  • Cassie Debow from Saint Ann Parish in Phoenixville and Mr. Joe Dougherty from Saint Maria Goretti Parish in Hatfield, tutor students preparing for the GED and SAT.

Saint John’s Hospice (Philadelphia)

  • Edward and Ms. Judi Samulewicz from Saint Thomas of Villanova in Rosemont cook casseroles and prepare and serve meals to homeless men

Saint Mary’s Residence (Philadelphia)

  • Franz Fruehwald of Saint Cecilia Parish in Philadelphia worked with women residents for his summer service assignment as a candidate for the permanent diaconate.

Women of Hope, Lombard (Philadelphia)

  • Sister Marliene McCarthy, SSJ welcomes and registers day guests and assists with preparing and serving meals.
  • Rita Schillaci of Stella Maris Parish in South Philadelphia serves as a receptionist and assists day guests with showers and clothing.

National Volunteer Week is promoted each year by the Points of Light Foundation, and seeks to inspire, recognize and encourage people to engage in volunteer service and make a difference in their local communities.

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Editor’s Note:  Catholic Social Services’ (CSS) Volunteer and Community Relations Program facilitates opportunities for individuals and groups to provide support and assistance to CSS programs in both one-time and ongoing volunteer commitments. For additional information on volunteer opportunities, please call 215-854-7058, or email [email protected]. To learn more about CSS, please visit www.cssphiladelphia.org.

To learn more about the Point of Light Foundation, please visit http://www.pointsoflight.org/.


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Contact:
Alaina Longo
Media and Events Specialist 
215-587-3747 (office)