As Catholic Charities of South Jersey prepares for its annual dinner to honor and celebrate those who serve others and raise critically needed funds for vital programs, this year’s gathering will have a special focus on veterans and their families.
The diocesan social services agency has announced Bishop Joseph L. Coffey, auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, as the recipient of this year’s Saint John Neumann Award, which recognizes those “whose unwavering commitment to service has profoundly strengthened our community.”
“By recognizing Bishop Coffey, we hope to shed light on the importance of serving veterans and their families wholistically – mind, body and spirit,” said Dr. Maria Elena Hallion, executive director of Catholic Charities of South Jersey. “We are also pleased to honor Bishop Coffey and bring attention to the important work Catholic Charities of South Jersey does in serving veterans and their families so that they can enjoy secure, comfortable housing to live with dignity and the honor that they deserve.”
This year’s dinner, the 22nd annual program, will take place on Oct. 21 at 5:30 p.m. at Resorts Hotel in Atlantic City. For more information and to purchase sponsorships or tickets, visit catholiccharitiessouthjersey.org/ccad/.
In a letter to Bishop Coffey, Bishop Joseph Williams noted how supporting the work of veterans is close to his heart, as both of his grandfathers were World War II veterans and his godfather served in the Vietnam War. He also added that his own brother, Paul Williams, is with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs and currently serving as the deputy director of Veterans Programs.
“Your exemplary leadership in the Archdiocese of the Military Services, demonstrated by your dedication to serve the pastoral and spiritual care of all Catholic women and men and their families in the military, embodies the essence of this award,” Bishop Williams wrote. “The care and kindness you bring to the Veteran Hospitals in the United States is an inspiration to all of us, especially the Catholic Charities staff in Catholic Charities’ veterans support program.”
Susan Stephens serves as the program coordinator for veteran services at Catholic Charities of South Jersey.
“Bishop Coffey defines the Saint John Neumann Award as demonstrated by his unwavering commitment to serving the men and women who put on the uniform each day,” she said. “He wore the uniform alongside them. He ministers to those bearing responsibilities most of us cannot fathom.”
A retired Navy chaplain with 28 years of service, Bishop Coffey’s ministry has included deployments to Afghanistan and Japan, as well as service at sites across the United States. In his present role, his “ministry of presence” reaches the 150 VA Medical Centers across the country, where he provides pastoral care and sacramental comfort to veterans as well as their families.
“Our military men and women give so much of themselves, as do their families. Bishop Coffey ‘gets’ that level of sacrifice,” Stephens said. “Whether he is celebrating Mass on a base or bringing comfort into military hospitals, it doesn’t get more authentic than that.”
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