ATLANTIC CITY – Gathered to recognize and celebrate the power of faith in action, more than 500 clergy, religious and faithful attended the annual Catholic Charities of South Jersey Dinner & Awards Ceremony the evening of Oct. 24.
“Catholic Charities embodies the Gospel call to love and to serve our neighbors. Our mission is simple yet profound: to provide help and create hope,” Bishop Dennis Sullivan said in his opening remarks.
Selected parishioners and students from each of the Diocese of Camden’s five deaneries were presented with Disciples of Mercy Awards, which recognize their commitment to serving the community’s most vulnerable.
PHOTO GALLERY: 2024 Catholic Charities Dinner & Awards Ceremony
Deacon David Harkins, chief of police of the Gloucester Township Police Department, received Catholic Charities’ Saint John Neumann Award, which honors faith-filled and exemplary service to South Jersey’s residents,
“At its core, law enforcement seeks justice, and justice is a virtue that is central to Catholic social teaching,” Chief Harkins said in receiving the award. “However, justice alone is not enough. As Catholics, we believe that justice must be tempered with mercy.”
Speaking on the interconnectedness of charity and law enforcement, he cited how officers respond to the most vulnerable: aiding the hungry; the homeless; those suffering addiction or depression; and victims of crime or domestic violence.
“It’s through these acts of charity that police officers carry out their duties every single day,” said Chief Harkins, a permanent deacon at Holy Child Parish, Runnemede. “So often, law enforcement is that bridge to start providing support and assistance to those in the most difficult times in their lives.”
Those receiving Disciples of Mercy awards were: Rita Maldonado from the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Camden; Saint Vincent de Paul Conference of Saint Simon Stock Parish, Berlin; Saint Mary School, Williamstown; Steve Steranko for his work with the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal in Atlantic City; and the Life & Justice Ministry of Saint Maximilian Kolbe Parish, Marmora.
Dr. Maria Elena Hallion, executive director of Catholic Charities of South Jersey, said all of the awardees perfectly represent what Catholic Charities works toward.
“They are dedicating their time to a population in need in order to help elevate those communities. Plus, they are doing it on their own time and making an additional commitment in their lives,” she said. “This mission is what Catholic Charities does every day. So it’s a perfect alignment of goals.”
Saint Mary School eighth-graders Grace Duxbury, Chloe Marino and Sarah Gaidis were all smiles as they enjoyed dinner in the ballroom of Resorts Hotel. As they waited to join others from the school on stage, they said that they hoped their work creating blessing bags, blankets and more for the needy would serve as an example to their fellow students.
“We would want others to look at what we did and say, ‘We can do that.’ It’s what God wants us to do – help others.”
Contemplating whether their acts of service could one day lead to a vocation or career helping others, Principal Patricia Mancuso said, “Wouldn’t that be wonderful! Sometimes you don’t even know what seeds you plant by doing some of these activities.”
Maldonado, who was recognized for her work feeding the hungry, greeting parishioners and more at Camden’s Cathedral, had a similar message. “It’s very important to cultivate love and respect” in the community.
NBC10’s Siobhan McGirl, a Gloucester Catholic High School graduate, emceed the event. The Philadelphia news anchor shared her firsthand experience of how Catholic Charities impacted her family’s life. When she was a child, her father fell ill, leaving him unable to work.
“Catholic Charities stepped in, providing resources and assistance for utilities and other necessities,” she said. “Catholic Charities helped stabilize my family … getting us back on our feet.”
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