ATLANTIC CITY – Gerald Washko of Holy Angels Parish, Woodbury, said he was humbled to receive recognition as one of this year’s Catholic Charities Diocese of Camden Disciples of Mercy awardees.
“It’s an acknowledgment of the goodness of God because that is what is behind it all,” said Washko, one of 400 people who attended Catholic Charities’ annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony on Oct. 25.
PHOTO GALLERY: Catholic Charities Dinner and Awards
Filling a ballroom in Resorts Hotel, parishioners, priests, deacons, religious brothers and sisters, Catholic school students and leaders, and diocesan and parish staff joined Bishop Dennis Sullivan and Kevin Hickey, Catholic Charities executive director, in honoring the men, women and ministries who make a difference around the Diocese of Camden. Seventeen parishes and two Catholic high schools – Camden Catholic in Cherry Hill and Paul VI in Haddonfield – were represented at the event.
Siafa Lewis, a Camden Catholic alumnus and “Eyewitness News” anchor for Philadelphia’s CBS3, emceed the evening. Those from each deanery across the Diocese were presented with Disciples of Mercy Awards, with Dennis W. Pullin, FACHE, president and chief executive officer of Virtua Health, receiving the Saint Basil the Great Award.
In addition to Washko, the Diocese’s faithful recognized were: Terri Bank, Our Lady of Hope Parish, Blackwood; the Saint Rose of Lima Social Action Committee, Haddon Heights; Holy Cross Parish’s Feeding Ministries from Bridgeton, and Saint Vincent de Paul Parish Food Pantry, Mays Landing.
Hickey praised all those recognized for being “committed to building up civil society, showing solidarity and helping connect one another,” especially in today’s times, “when that’s under attack or people don’t value it.”
After shaking hands with the Disciples of Mercy and presenting them with their awards, Bishop Sullivan praised the evening’s honoree, Pullin, for his commitment to caring for the community, especially the underprivileged.
“Much like Saint Basil, our honoree tonight has shown similar concern and industry in providing medical services for those in our region. Mr. Pullin’s work during the pandemic and in our neediest South Jersey communities invites comparison to Saint Basil,” he said.
The Bishop cited numerous accomplishments under Pullin’s tenure, including the Eat Well Mobile Grocery Store and Mobile Farmers Market. He especially praised Pullin for the smooth transition of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital into the Virtua Health System three years ago. Pullin helped ensure that the hospital would retain its Catholic identity.
“He worked with the Diocese with first-class interest in trying to help us maintain it as a Catholic-oriented hospital, which thanks be to God, it still is,” Bishop Sullivan said.
In his speech, Pullin explained how the healthcare system endured unprecedented challenges and hardships along with its communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. “But together, we have worked and will continue to work to protect each other, especially those who are the most vulnerable.
“At Virtua, we call it, ‘Being here for good.’ I know being here for good is what brought many of you here tonight,” Pullin continued, calling it an honor to be recognized with those parishioners who are also supporting vulnerable communities.
With five hospitals and nearly 400 care sites throughout South Jersey – which includes Our Lady of Lourdes in Camden – Virtua has pursued a mission base of healing since 1950, he said.
“It was really important to all of us to preserve this rich legacy [of Catholic identity],” Pullin said, praising Bishop Sullivan for their collaboration.
Speaking of the Our Lady of Lourdes statue that sits atop the hospital, he said, “This iconic statue means an awful lot. We illuminate it for different reasons. Right now, it’s glowing pink in support of breast cancer awareness month. In February, it will be illuminated in red to really shine a light on American Heart Month.
“Then there are special occasions when we illuminate the Blessed Mother green – at times when we have a kidney, a pancreas, a liver transplant. To really shed light on hope.”
Hope, he said, is at the root of Catholic Charities, the Disciples of Mercy, the Diocese of Camden and its people, and his colleagues at Virtua.
“I continue to be impressed by the people and the organizations that are dedicated to making sure this region thrives. … It’s humbling to me to receive this recognition and be surrounded by so many people who deeply care about our neighbors,” he said.
“My mom used to tell me, ‘The greatest blessing in the world is to be a blessing to someone else.’ I am truly blessed because I get to be part of an organization that extends itself to lift up others.”
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