Photo by Alan M. Dumoff, ccdphotolibrary.smugmug.com
Bishop Joseph Galante gave the invocation and final blessing at the 2012 Racial Justice Commission Awards Dinner, held at Botto’s Restaurant, Swedesboro, on Aug. 2. Pictured with the bishop are, from left, award recipient Kevin Walsh; Kevin Moran, who accepted an award for Larry DiPaul; Corlis L. Sellers, coordinator of the Racial Justice Commission; and Kevin Hickey, chairperson of the commission.
CAMDEN — Larry DiPaul, a member of the Racial Justice Commission of the Camden Diocese, was presented a lifetime achievement award at a dinner held Aug. 2 for his work in life and justice.
Two other members of the commission were honored with the Racial Justice Award for their efforts to help stamp out racism.
George Bouchey, nominated by Deacon Bill Johnson, and Kevin Walsh, nominated by Kevin Moran, director of New Visions Homeless Shelter, received the award given for extraordinary efforts to eradicate racism within the church and beyond.
The awards dinner was held at Botto’s Italian Restaurant in Swedesboro. Bishop Joseph A. Galante gave the invocation and the closing remarks.
DiPaul recently served as director of Life and Justice Ministries for the diocese. He was unable to attend the dinner, so the award was accepted on his behalf by Moran.
Bouchey has been on the Racial Justice Commission for many years and served as a trainer in the Racial Sobriety program.
“George has always been an outspoken and passionate member of the Racial Justice Commission,” said Corlis L. Sellers, associate director of Lifelong Faith Formation for the diocese. “George is a man who walks in his faith.”
She said that Bouchey “is also committed to interfaith collaboration and has worked with the Christian community, both Catholic and Protestant, to support construction of the Voorhees mosque, which met with great resistance.”
Sellers noted that Bouchey worked for years in youth ministry at St. Andrew the Apostle Church in Gibbsboro, and recently picked up and delivered clothing donations from all over South Jersey for migrant and homeless children.
Kevin Walsh, an attorney with Fair Sharing Housing, a non-profit organization, “is a devoted Catholic and family man. He is an extraordinarily talented lawyer and a strong advocate for the right to affordable housing. Kevin has chosen to use his gift in service to others,” Sellers said.
She noted that Walsh has worked to see that low- and middle-income families receive affordable housing. He and his firm sued the state on behalf of the Coalition on Affordable Housing (COAH) and won a court battle overturning the state’s action to eliminate COAH. The decision has been appealed.
For more information about the commission call 856-583-6184.
at the bottom and then tap “Add to Home Screen”
