Catholic Charities of South Jersey will hold its 20th annual Dinner & Awards Ceremony on Oct. 24, and among the evening’s highlights will be the recognition of women, men and ministries who make it their mission to serve the most vulnerable across South Jersey.
These Disciples of Mercy were recently selected by a committee and hail from each of the Diocese’s five deaneries. They will be recognized during the Dinner & Awards Ceremony – formerly the Justice For All Dinner – being held at Resorts Hotel, Atlantic City.
Chief David J. Harkins Sr., chief of police of the Gloucester Township Police Department and a permanent deacon in the Diocese of Camden, will receive Catholic Charities’ Saint John Neumann Award during the evening, as well.
Meet some of this year’s Disciples of Mercy; others were highlighted in the Sept. 27 issue of the Catholic Star Herald.
Deanery 2: Saint Vincent de Paul Conference of Saint Simon Stock Parish, Berlin
Kevin Dark knows that “we are but the arms, hands and feet” of Jesus Christ. Dark, president of the Saint Vincent de Paul Conference of Saint Simon Stock Parish, Berlin, said one of the gifts conference members receive from the ministry is “being able to go to bed at night and tell God that we made a difference that day in someone’s life.”
Evidence of that belief can be seen in the number of families the conference helped last year. Its members helped 95 families find temporary shelter in local motels; 12 families with electric bills; provided 48 families with ShopRite gift cards turkey, and fixings for the holidays; provided 47 families with quality clothing or houseware, at no cost, from the organization’s thrift store; and offered assistance to 18 families in matters such as internet connections and with cell phone, car, medical and dental bills.
From monthly donations from parishioners, non-parishioners, local businesses, food drives and the Food Bank of South Jersey, the conference helped to provide food to an average of 95 families a month, with a total of 1,128 families being helped in 2023.
For the “amazing job of helping and assisting the less-fortunate brothers and sisters of our society – namely, the poor, the homeless, the destitute and forgotten” – as Father Michael de Leon, AM, parish pastor, said, the SVDP conference has been named a 2024 Disciple of Mercy.
“We show our love for God by showing our love for each other,” said Cathy Rainey, the conference’s vice president.
Deanery 4: Steve Steranko
In 2022, when the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal put out a call for volunteers to help with their overnight winter shelter in Atlantic City, one of those who answered made a quick impression.
“At first, he just came during the day to assist with the cleaning and setting up of the beds for night,” the sisters remembered. “But he quickly started to get more involved, helping with the guests during the evening intake sessions [with] a humble demeanor, warm and welcoming smile, and generous disposition.”
It is for this love, care and dignity that he has been named a Disciple of Mercy. “He has an ability to befriend and connect, and serve the guests as a true brother and friend,” the sisters said in nominating Steranko for the honor.
Beyond the shelter’s winter season, he continued aiding the sisters in Atlantic City by helping them offer breakfast for those in need at the Father Benedict House.
Here, his “compassionate heart and … listening ear have continued to be a blessing to our guests,” the sisters said, adding that his presence has even inspired his fellow volunteers. One overnight volunteer was so moved after watching Steranko wash the swollen feet of a guest, that the volunteer said “it was like watching Jesus.”
“I’m grateful, it’s a great honor,” Steranko remarked of being named a Disciple of Mercy.
He added that every time he volunteers in Atlantic City, he prays that “I see Jesus in every guest. How we treat them, is how we treat Jesus.”
Deanery 5: Life & Justice Ministry, Saint Maximilian Kolbe Parish, Marmora
Five years ago, Saint Maximilian Kolbe Parish began its Life & Justice Ministry with 12 members seeking to be present to those on the margins of society.
Today, with nearly 30 active members who volunteer in ways such as furniture and home goods distribution, immigrant services, and counseling those in financial need, the Marmora ministry team has been named a Disciple of Mercy.
“Their willingness to be present and have those looking for help be seen and recognized as worthy of their inherent God-given dignity is nothing short of inspiring,” noted Dr. Michael Sims, director of the diocesan Office of Life & Justice Ministries, who nominated the organization for the honor.
Dr. Sims has also helped bring together Saint Maximilian Kolbe’s ministry team with Catholic Charities. That partnership led to parishioners providing a free finance mentorship program to Catholic Charities clients in Rio Grande on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
“What all of us have in common is wanting to help and support our sisters and brothers, with our own time, talent and treasure,” said Joe Mitchell, coordinator of the parish ministry. “The Disciples of Mercy recognition reinforces to our members that their work is productive.”
The Saint Maximilian Kolbe Life & Justice Ministry team, Dr. Sims said, model “cooperation and how we might all learn to share in Christ’s large-heartedness.”
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