Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden, Inc., recently announced the 2012 Justice for ALL honorees. This year’s honorees include Thomas A. Cavalieri, D.O., Ann M. Budde and Deacon William Johnson. Joseph Balzano will be recognized posthumously.
In its ninth year, the Justice for ALL Dinner recognizes individuals and groups who exemplify outstanding spirit of community, social justice and goodwill.
Each year, awards are given in the areas of leadership, parish/community ministry, social ministry and social justice. This year’s Justice for ALL Honorees:
Dr. Thomas A. Cavalieri of Mullica Hill is the recipient of The Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio Award for Leadership.
“In every facet of this life, Thomas Cavalieri, D.O., has shown a strong commitment to his faith, his profession, his family and the people to whom he brings medical service,” Catholic Charities said in announcing the award. “As a geriatric educator and clinician, he has been an advocate for older adults for more than 25 years, raising the standard of care for them and helping the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey’s School of Osteopathic Medicine (UMDNJ-SOM) to achieve national recognition in the field of geriatrics.”
Dr. Cavalieri currently serves as dean of UMDNJ-SOM, professor of medicine and endowed chair for Primary Care Research. He previously served as the director of the New Jersey Institute for Successful Aging (formerly the Center for Aging, where he was Founding Director) and chair of the Department of Medicine.
Ann M. Budde of Bridgeton is the recipient of The Sister Grace Nolan Award for Social Ministry
A woman of many firsts Budde was the first woman to become vice president of a non-Catholic hospital in New Jersey, the first woman inducted into the Bridgeton Rotary, and the first woman president of the Cumberland County Board of Vocational Education.
Budde is also an inductee in the Cumberland County Women’s Hall of Fame, has served as chair of the South Jersey Hospital Board, and has chaired numerous positions with United Way, March of Dimes, Research Club of Bridgeton and many other organizations.
Currently, Budde serves as director of the Good Shepherd Dining Room Soup Kitchen, which feeds more than 21,000 people in need in the Cumberland County community each year.
Deacon William Johnson of Bridgeton is the recipient of The Peter J. O’Connor Award for Social Justice
Deacon Johnson was the first African-American ordained as a deacon in the Diocese of Camden and served as deacon in his home parish of St. Teresa of Avila in Bridgeton.
Deacon Johnson also served as an advocate and canonical consultant to the tribunal and chair of the former Black Catholic Ministry Board. He was appointed as the first director of the Office for Black Catholic Ministry and later served as chair of the former Racial Justice Committee.
Under his leadership and guidance, the Racial Justice Committee embarked on racial justice training for the diocese and led the efforts of others to become certified in order to continue to provide the training.
Joseph Balzano is the posthumous recipient of The Msgr. Michael Doyle and Msgr. Robert McDermott Award for Parish and Community Ministry
The late Joseph Balzano began his career at the Port of Camden in 1951 as an office clerk and equipment operator. In 1989, he was appointed as the South Jersey Port Corporation’s executive director and chief executive officer. For more than five decades, Balzano was a major force in the City of Camden, spearheading port expansion and economic development and fighting tirelessly for Camden’s less-fortunate residents.
He was an active and dedicated member of Sacred Heart Church, remembered for his yearly Christmas tree and countless other generosities. During Balzano’s lifetime, he received countless awards and recognition for his legendary port operations expertise and his contributions to the community at large.
The 2012 Annual Justice for ALL Dinner, presented by The Daniels Group, Inc., will take place at Adelphia Grand Ballroom in Deptford on Wednesday, April 25, at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $95 per person. All proceeds will be used to provide direct assistance to clients in all six counties of the diocese: Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem.
The 2011 Justice for ALL dinner raised more than $145,000, which in turn, enabled Catholic Charities to provide direct assistance to end crises, create stabilization within families, prevent eviction and utility disconnection, fulfill prescription needs and provide food to more than 1,800 families and individuals throughout the six counties of the Diocese of Camden.
For more information on tickets or sponsorship opportunities, contact Giovina Price at 856-583-6126 or visit www.CatholicCharitiesCamden.org
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