Justice for All awards ceremony set for Oct. 8

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden announces that the agency will be honoring Bishop Dennis Sullivan at this year’s Justice for All Awards Ceremony on Oct. 8.

The event, which has historically been celebrated in the form of a dinner and awards ceremony, will be held virtually to comply with safety guidelines.

The importance and significance of this event, however, remains unchanged. 

The Justice for All Awards Ceremony is Catholic Charities’ largest annual fundraiser, and it honors those who have proven a life-long commitment to serving the poor and the vulnerable, highlighting their work and their commitment to charity and social justice.

Bishop Sullivan’s years in Catholic social ministry has reflected this commitment.

In 2015, Pope Francis emphasized that his vision of a bishop calls for loving responsibility toward the local church. He encouraged bishops worldwide to engage in practices that bear witness to Christ’s love, particularly for those who are suffering. “Be pastors close to people,” he said. “Be pastors who are neighbors and servants.”

Perhaps one of Bishop Sullivan’s most remarkable traits is his innate ability to do just that: to lead as a bishop while still serving as a pastor among the people, connecting with them at a personal level, unconfined to the walls of a church. His pastoral approach has transcended his titles, assignments and locations — from his early years as a priest in the Archdiocese of New York, where he ministered to those in Washington Heights, the Lower East Side and the Bronx, and eventually worked as an auxiliary serving both Cardinal Edward Egan and Cardinal Timothy Dolan; to the Dominican Republic where he immersed himself, learning Spanish to better serve the Spanish-speaking Catholics of the Archdiocese of New York; to the eight years he has served as a shepherd of the Camden Diocese.

Kevin Hickey, who has served as executive director of Catholic Charities for the past 16 years, reflected on the bishop’s roots, as well as his leadership in Catholic social ministry. “As an American Irish, thoroughly steeped and learned in the history of Ireland and Celtic Spirituality particular as begun by Saint Patrick, a missionary disciple himself, one might say this openness to going out to the world is in Bishop Sullivan’s DNA. So it takes a kind of courage to overcome our fears and set-in-concrete views of the world. Catholics are called to something beyond. Bishop Sullivan has done just that and, echoing the words of Pope John Paul, has continually called the people of the Diocese of Camden to ‘put out into the deep.’ Like all great leaders, he puts into practice the very action to which he is summoning all of us.”

In that regard, Bishop Sullivan’s vocation mirrors the very mission of Catholic Charities: to serve the poorest and most vulnerable, regardless of their religion. 

The agency is able to serve around 24,000 individuals each year, in large part because of funds raised by the Justice for All ceremony. It is the largest fundraiser held by the agency each year, and all funds raised from the event are used for direct client services. Since its inception in 2004, it has raised over $1 million, every penny of which is used to meet the needs of the poorest and the marginalized — families who are homeless or facing homelessness, those with mental health or substance abuse crises, individuals struggling with hardships such as losing their jobs or being forced to choose between paying for food or medications.

And this year, Kevin Hickey explained, “the need is greater than ever.”

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Catholic Charities has responded — and continues to respond — to the needs of vulnerable populations, and answer to additional challenges that have been exacerbated by this pandemic: an influx of rental and utility assistance; help for those who have lost their jobs; counseling for those who are victims of domestic violence; food for those who are hungry. With evictions on the horizon, especially after moratoriums are lifted, the agency is expected to be contacted by thousands more who are in need of rental and housing assistance.

Hickey explained the need for the funds, particularly for this year, noting that the agency spent over $658,668.48 on direct client needs from the months of March until July.

“Pope Francis reminded us on Aug. 5th of this year that in the midst of the COVID pandemic God’s kingdom of justice and peace is present and made manifest through works of charity. We are so very grateful to all of donors and ask all Catholics and all people of goodwill to join with Catholic Charities in the healing ministry of charity.”

In addition, the dinner will honor a number of Disciples of Mercy who, through their commitment to showing acts of mercy, are making a difference in the lives of the poor and the disenfranchised locally in South Jersey. Over the years, a wide variety of individuals and small ministries have been honored for their work. This year, one person or small group per deanery will be honored, with the aim of recognizing those who serve as “unsung heroes” of the diocese.

To learn more about the virtual event, to nominate a Disciple of Mercy, or to donate to Catholic Charities’ Justice for All fund, visit: www.CatholicCharitiesCamden.org/JFA2020