Today’s honorees represent 3,443 CHS volunteers who provided a combined
total 91,168 volunteer hours to the Catholic Church’s local works of charity in 2018.
Today, during a special ceremony held at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center, The Secretariat for 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 20 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, “Today we gather to honor some of the dedicated servants of God who readily give of their time, talent and treasure as volunteers within the programs of Catholic Human Services. Through their efforts, they extend the scope of our outreach and enhance our ability to serve our brothers and sisters in need.”
Below is a list of volunteers who were honored today.
Catholic Housing and Community Services (CHCS)
• Mr. Joseph Terreri volunteers with the Eldercare Program in his own parish of Saint Monica. He visits two seniors weekly to chat and helps with pick-ups and deliveries.
Catholic Social Services (CSS)
• Mr. Joe White and Ms. Lil White of Thomas Edison Electric, provided pro-bono electrical work at Saint Francis &St. Vincent Homes and Fatima Catholic Outreach Center.
• Mr. Alex Capriotti from Christ Our Light Parish in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, distributed baby blessing bags to young women in the CSS Mother-Baby Program.
• Ms. Adrienne Derstine, Ms. Deirdre O’Rourke, Ms. Mara Imms volunteer their time through the AmeriCorps VISTA program for New Americans.
• Mr. Dan Malick volunteers his time through AmeriCorps State and National program.
Divine Providence Village (Delaware County)
• Ms. Marie Luglio of Saint Francis of Assisi parish in Springfield and Ms. Mary Kate Jordan of Nativity BVM in Media are co-directors of the ladies club where they mentor the women and participate in activities with them. They are also Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and lectors for Sunday Mass in the DPV Chapel.
Fatima Catholic Outreach Center (Bucks County)
• Ms. Genevieve Petrucco from Saint Ignatius of Anthioch in Yardley receives clothing donations and volunteers her time working in the Fatima Boutique thrift store.
Mercy Hospice (Philadelphia)
• Ms. Ruth Breland of Saint Martin de Porres Parish in Philadelphia, and Ms. Susan Sullivan of Saint John the Evangelist, Philadelphia serve as donation coordinators sorting clothing and baby care items as received.
Montgomery County Family Service Center (Montgomery County)
• Mr. William “Mr. Bill” Caban accompanies clients as they “shop” in the Martha’s Choice Marketplace food pantry.
• Ms. Maria Wilkinson serves weekly as a greeter for pantry shoppers, ensuring they receive not only food but encouragement and friendly support.
• Ms. Linda Robinson-Graves makes sure the bakery section is well stocked and quality checked throughout the week
Northeast Family Service Center (Philadelphia)
• Ms. Angela Stott of Saint Cecilia, Philadelphia distributes canned goods to clients at the family service center.
Nutritional Development Services (Philadelphia)
• Mr. Thomas Goldsmith from Saint Mary Magdalen in Media serves on the board of directors for NDS.
Project Rachel: Hope after Abortion (Philadelphia)
• Ms. Tricia DeMaio and Mr. Pete DeMaio from Saint Dorothy in Drexel Hill visit parishes to share their story about post-abortion healing.
Refugee Resettlement Program (Delaware County)
• Mr. Terry Hauger from Swarthmore Friends Meeting hosts a refugee in his home and coordinates outreach and support for two additional refugees.
• Mr. Larry Blanks from Saint Vincent de Paul in Philadelphia collects brand new donations for refugees.
Saint Edmond’ Home for Children (Delaware County)
• Mr. Doug Dunn, a teacher at Pope John Paul II Catholic High School, brings a group of students to serve on Martin Luther King Day every year.
Saint Francis-Saint Vincent’s Homes for Children (Bucks County)
• Ms. Kathy Donze, from Saint Cyril of Jerusalem in Warwick, provides administrative support for the office.
Saint Gabriel’s Hall (Montgomery County)
• Mr. Joe Dougherty from Saint Maria Goretti Parish in Hatfield, volunteers as a math tutor for students at St. Gabriel’s Hall.
Saint John’s Hospice (Philadelphia)
• Mr. Jim Dowling and Ms. Joann Sullivan from Old Saint Joseph’s Church in Philadelphia feed the homeless by serving in the kitchen and working on the floor clearing dishes. Ms. Joann Sullivan also serves on the SJH Development Council.
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/
Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia
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Catholic Housing and Community Services
Nutritional Development Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia
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