Photo by James A. McBride
Bishop Dennis Sulllivan stands with the parish teams of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish in Gibbsboro (left) and the Catholic Community of the Holy Spirit in Mullica Hill during the House of Charity Parish Team Report Meeting, held June 24 at St. Charles Borromeo, Sicklerville. The two groups were awarded the first-ever Bishop’s Cup for extraordinary work on behalf of the House of Charity.
While people all over the globe are engrossed in speculating on who will win the World Cup, two local church groups can take pride in their own accomplishment: winning the first-ever Bishop’s Cup.
The trophy, presented for the first time at House of Charity-Bishop’s Annual Appeal Parish Team Report Meeting and Reception at St. Charles Borromeo, Sicklerville, on June 24, is to be given each year to parish teams and volunteers who demonstrate extraordinary effort on behalf of the House of Charity.
The first parish team to take the prize was St. Andrew the Apostle Parish, Gibbsboro, who lent guidance and support to the Catholic Community of the Holy Spirit in Mullica Hill, who also shares in the honor.
The Mullica Hill group was having trouble reaching their goal so they reached out to the Gibbsboro team. As a result, Holy Spirit shot from being at the bottom of the list, at number 72, to the Top 10 of most successful parishes in House of Charity fundraising.
Bishop Dennis Sullivan was on hand to present the trophy, which was donated by Debbie Madosky of MadHouz in Marlton, a supplier of logo and other promotional products. A local Catholic, Madosky is also secretary of the Catholic Business Network, which was established earlier this year.
Begun in 1964, the House of Charity has been raising money to support the diocese’s good works for 50 years. Among the ministries and organizations that benefit from the House of Charity are Catholic Charities, nursing homes, Archbishop Damiano School in Westville Grove for children with moderate to severe disabilities, poor and needy parishes and schools, and youth, young adult and campus ministries.
In addition to presenting awards and announcing parish totals, the evening served as a warm up to the 2015 appeal. Coordinators say they are planning workshops focusing on innovation, collaboration, team building and mentoring, and administrative excellence to help parishes reach their goal.