Directors get hands-on at CCUSA annual gathering
Each year, employees from Catholic Charities agencies from across the country come together to learn from each other in fellowship. This year, the host city of Houston, Texas, was decimated by Hurricane Harvey days before the event was scheduled to take place. Instead of canceling, the gathering became a mission of service.
Partnering with the local Houston Catholic Charities, nine staff from our Catholic Charities agency rolled up their sleeves to assist with recovery efforts, including the distribution of food, water, cleaning supplies, and providing information and referral to case management services.
They joined a team of more than 500 others to provide help and hope to the local survivors. Executive Director and CEO Dr. Gerard Carter observed, “It was truly amazing to see the gratitude expressed to us for even the smallest help by people living in the midst of widespread devastation. The truism was really true here – we received much more than we gave.”
Winston-Salem office relocates to better serve the Triad
Last summer, the Piedmont Triad Office relocated to a newly renovated 10,000-square-foot facility. “Our new location is in the midst of a neighborhood consisting of many more families. We have already experienced an increase of new people from the neighborhood coming to the food pantry and for baby clothes,” said Office Director Becky DuBois.
The building offers program participants a larger, more comfortable waiting room, a spacious food pantry, and a multipurpose room for events and gatherings.
The space enabling all staff to work together under one roof has already proven beneficial.
The Translation and Interpretation Enterprise (TIE) program has already trained more than 70 participants to become community interpreters since the program began two years ago.
The larger food pantry has been able to serve more people on a weekly basis. At a glance, in March of this year, 1,219 people were provided with 23,410 pounds of food, compared to 521 people and 12,956 pounds of food in March 2017. DuBois added, “We are grateful to our donors and supporters for their dedication and ongoing commitment to the mission and work of Catholic Charities from this new location.“
Social Concerns and Advocacy ‘Share the Journey’
Spearheaded by the Social Concerns and Advocacy program, Catholic Charities staff are supporting Pope Francis’ launch of the Caritas “Share the Journey” campaign from St. Peter’s Square on Sept. 27, 2017, in support of migrants and refugees.
Director of Social Concerns and Advocacy Joseph Purello said, “I believe he has sent two clear messages. One is to all migrants and refugees that they are not forgotten – the Church is aware of their struggles and fears. And the second is to all Catholics – that we must pray for migrants and refugees, love them as our neighbor, and help alleviate their suffering.”
Catholic Charities sponsored a rally and prayer service with the Asheville vicariate for “Dreamers” to promote social awareness. “Before the hundreds in attendance and observing at the sidelines, the Church gave public witness to the plight of migrants in our communities. The Aztec dancers from St. Lawrence Basilica showed the rich culture that the Hispanic community brings to our church and community,” said Nicholas Haskell, Catholic Charities’ Poverty and Justice Education Coordinator for Western North Carolina.
Asheville expands services to those most vulnerable
New leadership roles and an expansion of services have highlighted this past year in the Asheville area. Deacon Mark Nash joined Catholic Charities as the western regional office director. Deacon Nash brought to the role a unique combination of pastoral ministry and significant corporate management experience to benefit the western area of the diocese.
Efforts are being made to establish the Burial Assistance Program throughout the western region of the diocese. “We are working to finalize an agreement with local funeral homes and cemeteries to make this program a reality for the poor and underserved in our region,” said Deacon Nash. Once in place, this program will be the only one of its kind in the western region, allowing those in need to be buried with dignity.
Case Management services have been added to the list of services offered in the Asheville office. Christy Rhodes was hired to bring her experience and skill as the office looks to expand the Transitions Out of Poverty program to Asheville.
— Kathleen Durkin, Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte
BELMONT — Leonard Leo, executive vice president of the Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy, has been named the second recipient of the Benedict Leadership Award. The award, given by the Benedict Leadership Institute at Belmont Abbey College, was presented March 22 at Belmont Abbey College.
The Institute selected Leo for his dedication to the defense of religious liberty both in the United States and abroad and for his personal witness to the sanctity of human life.
Leo was appointed by President George W. Bush to three terms to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom as chairman, during which time he traveled to Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Sudan and Vietnam to assess country conditions on religious freedom.
“While your life displays numerous reasons for being worthy of the Benedict Leadership Award, the committee wished to honor and highlight your leadership in a few areas in particular: your defense of religious liberty and your personal witness to the sanctity of life,” wrote the Benedict Leadership Institute’s executive director, Conor Gallagher, in his selection letter to Leo.
“These are areas of great concern to Belmont Abbey College. It is our hope that your award will bring attention to those persecuted for their religious beliefs and to the dignity of all people, especially the disabled and the unborn.”
The Benedict Leadership Institute was founded in 2016 to develop and inspire Catholic leaders to transform society in light of their faith. The Benedict Leadership Award, given annually to recognize outstanding men and women whose achievements reflect the heroic leadership of St. Benedict, is a key activity of the institute.
Recipients deliver a public address in their area of leadership, and are presented with a $10,000 cash award.
— Sarah McPeek, Benedict Leadership Institute
Pictured are (from left): Dr. William Thierfelder, president of Belmont Abbey College; award recipient Leonard Leo; Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari of Belmont Abbey; and Conor Gallagher, executive director of the Benedict Leadership Institute.