Posts Tagged ‘Monsignor Kevin Sullivan’
Monday, May 6th, 2013
On the very last, most beautiful day of April 2013, 143 tireless workers put down their frying pans, serving trays, aprons, and hand trucks to feast and be celebrated. From the farthest corners of the Bronx to the Lower East Side, volunteers from food pantries and soup kitchens supported by Catholic Charities Community Services gathered at the Triangle Building of Alianza for the first-ever Volunteer Appreciation Event held in their honor.
The same men and women who, earlier that day, were packing 200 bags of food or scrubbing pots, got the chance to sit down to a catered meal while CCCS staff called out name after name of volunteer chefs, food packers, inventory specialists, and data base managers. In all, 46 program coordinators and long-time volunteers from 14 different programs came up to the podium to receive certificates from Monsignor Kevin Sullivan. Honors were given for years of service ranging from 20 to 36 years, and for those special volunteers who worked “Above and Beyond”, as their certificates stated. These included senior Maria Sanchez, founder of St. Anthony’s Soup Kitchen in the Bronx, who has been leading the program for 20 years, and young Walter Martin, who uses his free time in between job interviews to work for no less than 4 different pantries.
“We’ve been wanting to do this for so long” said Jeanne McGettigan, Director of Emergency Food Services. “Monsignor Sullivan and Staci-Jo Bruce, Director of Volunteer Services were the ones who finally made it happen. It was so moving to see all of these generous, hard-working people gathered together in one place. We really are one big team, but we don’t often get to see ourselves that way.”
Ms. McGettigan said the event organizers were particularly pleased that CCCS staff was able to make these activities completely bi-lingual. Well over 50% of the volunteers in attendance consider Spanish their first language. To make sure that all felt included, everything from invitations, to program cards and presentations by speakers was carried out in Spanish and English. Project Manager Lizaura German emceed and translated as needed. Monsignor Sullivan and Beatriz Diaz Taveras, Executive Director of CCCS traveled comfortably between languages as they thanked the volunteers for their steadfast efforts to beat back hunger in their communities.
Also delivering a rousing speech in two languages was special guest Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez of Washington Heights and Inwood. Remembering how, during his childhood, his own family had sometimes needed food assistance, he told the volunteers that he “didn’t think twice” about dedicating Council discretionary funds to the busy CCCS pantry nearby his office.
An additional service award was presented to Christopher Melito of Credit Suisse, recognizing the company’s Day of Service, which brought 20 corporate employees to a CCCS food pantry for the day to prepare and demonstrate healthy cooking methods and give pantry customers the equipment to carry out the same practices in their own kitchens.
The feeling in the room was so joyful, and the cumulative effect of hearing story after story of faith in action was so moving, a number of staff and volunteers stated their conviction that this first-ever event should now be considered an annual gathering not to be missed.
Tags: Alianza, Beatriz Diaz Taveras, Bronx, Catholic Charities Community Services, Christopher Melito, Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, Credit Suisse, data base managers, Day of Service, Director of Emergency Food Services, Director of Volunteer Services, food assistance, food packers, food pantries, healthy cooking methods, inventory specialists, inwood, Jeanne McGettigan, Lizaura German, Maria Sanchez, Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, soup kitchens, St. Anthony’s Soup Kitchen, Staci-Jo Bruce, Triangle Building, Volunteer Appreciation Event, volunteer chefs, Walter Martin, Washington Heights
Posted in Feeding the Hungry and Sheltering the Homeless, Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, New York City, Parishes, Protecting and Nurturing Children and Youth, Staten Island, Strengthening Families and Resolving Crises, Volunteering | No Comments »
Monday, April 1st, 2013
By Alice Kenny
His Excellency Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan will make his first New York Archdiocesan tour since returning to New York after helping to elect Pope Francis.
Cardinal Dolan has scheduled three events on Thursday, April 4, 2013 that celebrate the work of Catholic Charities Community Services of Orange County. Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York Executive Director Monsignor Kevin Sullivan will join him.
At 3 p.m. on April 4, Cardinal Dolan will bless tour and cut the ribbon at Catholic Charities’ new locations at 305 North Street in Middletown, NY. This location consolidates several programs into a single location: housing an OASAS licensed Substance Abuse Clinic, Case Management staff, Immigration Services, and our Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The Substance Abuse Clinic provides assessments and individual and group counseling to individuals and families to help ensure a lasting recovery from substance abuse. Case Management and Immigration provide a variety of bi-lingual services to individuals in need. The EAP works with businesses, municipalities, organizations, and parishes, providing support and counseling services to over 65,000 covered employees and their family members.
The next stop at 4:15 p.m. will be a tour where Cardinal Dolan will give a special blessing to children that attend Catholic Charities Early Learning Center at 59 St. John Street in the Village of Goshen, NY. The Early Learning Center offers a full-day program for children ages six weeks to five years focused on early childhood learning, socialization skills and kindergarten readiness skills.
Cardinal Dolan’s final destination at 6 p.m. will be a cocktail reception at the 7th Annual Celebration of Charity held at Anthony’s Pier 9, 2975 Route 9W in New Windsor, NY. This annual event also includes a dinner and silent auction. 2013 Caritas Award Honorees include Reverend Jeffrey Maurer, Pastor at St Mary’s Church in Washingtonville, Scott Batulis, President and Chief Executive Officer at Orange Regional Medical Center and the Eva Fini Fund for Rett Syndrome Research.
“We are honored by Cardinal Dolan’s visit and the significant statement it makes,” says Catholic Charities Community Services of Orange County Executive Director Dean Scher. “By opening our new clinic in Middletown, Catholic Charities highlights the value we place on providing a wide range of accessible services to our local community and on providing help and hope for those struggling with substance abuse. In the Early Learning Center, we underline the importance of daycare and early education for preschoolers to ease the minds of working parents. And we gratefully acknowledge the key role of donors whose continuing support enables us to provide help and create hope for those in need.”
For information about purchasing a ticket for the upcoming 7th Annual Celebration of Charity contact Catholic Charities Community Services at 845-294-5124 ext. 303.
About Catholic Charities Community Services of Orange County
Catholic Charities Community Services of Orange County, one of the human service agencies of the Federation of the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, is committed to building a compassionate and just society. It is dedicated to serving the homeless, the hungry, the emotionally and physically handicapped, immigrants and the marginalized and vulnerable of Orange County regardless of religion. It collaborates with parishes, individuals, government and other agencies.
Tags: 2013 Caritas Award Honorees, 7th Annual Celebration of Charity, bi-lingual services, businesses, Case Management staff, Catholic Charities Community Services, Catholic Charities Community Services of Orange County, Catholic Charities Early Learning Center, childhood learning, daycare, Dean Scher, early education, Employee Assistance Program, Eva Fini Fund, Federation of the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, human service agencies, Immigration Services, kindergarten readiness skills, Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, municipalities, New Windsor, New York Archdiocesan, OASAS, orange county, organizations, parishes, Pastor at St Mary’s Church, preschoolers, President and Chief Executive Officer at Orange Regional Medical Center, Rett Syndrome Research, Reverend Jeffrey Maurer, Scott Batulis, socialization skills, substance abuse, Substance Abuse Clinic, Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan, Village of Goshen
Posted in Agencies, Cardinal Dolan, Events, Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, Parishes, Protecting and Nurturing Children and Youth, Strengthening Families and Resolving Crises, Supporting the Physically and Emotionally Challenged, What We Do at Catholic Charities | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 26th, 2013
At the beginning of Lent, Pope Francis wrote to the people of Buenos Aires:
“The time the Church starts today is not for ourselves alone. It is also for the transformation of our family, of our community, of our Church, of our country, of the whole world… May we become collaborators who receive the grace and potential to recreate human life so that everyone may experience the salvation which Christ won for us by His death and resurrection.
“This year of Faith is an opportunity God gives us to grow and to mature in our encounter with the Lord made visible in the suffering face of so many children without a future, in the trembling hands of the forgotten elders and in the wavering knees of so many families who continue to face life without finding anyone to sustain them.
“We need effective gestures to alleviate the pain of so many of our brothers and sisters who walk alongside us.”
Pope Francis’ message is perhaps most poignant during Holy Week, and it points particularly to the work Catholic Charities does day in and day out to alleviate human suffering. Easter is a grace-filled reminder that the help we provide seeks to transform and create hope in the lives we touch.
Blessed Easter of joy, hope and peace to you and your families. Thank you for the joy, hope and peace that you bring to our world.
Monsignor Kevin Sullivan
Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York
Tags: Archdiocese of New York, Catholic Charities, Easter, Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, Msgr. Kevin Sullivan, Pope Francis
Posted in Catholic Social Teaching, Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, Seasonal Message, What We Do at Catholic Charities | No Comments »
Friday, March 22nd, 2013
Presidência da Republica/Roberto Stuckert Filho
By Alice Kenny
On the eve of Pope Francis’ inauguration, Monsignor Kevin Sullivan went live in a special radio broadcast of JustLove taking in listener calls from across the nation as he reflected on what the election of Pope Francis means for Catholics around the world.
“The election of Pope Francis has focused on the vitality of the Church when we focus on the basics of our faith.” Msgr. Sullivan said. “There is no better time than Holy Week when we celebrate the center of the Catholic faith: death and resurrection of Jesus. We begin these holy days with the example of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. ”
From New York to Alabama and spots in between, callers, young and old, phoned to register their excitement about Pope Francis and, in particular, his emphasis on serving those in need.
“I’m thrilled that Pope Francis is focused on service to the poor and to outreach to all people,” said Steve, a caller from New Jersey.
Catholic Charities Director of Peace and Justice Tom Dobbins, who co-hosted the show, agreed.
“When he came out saying he wants us to be a church of the poor for the poor,” Tom said, “wow – as someone who works for Catholic Charities – that was a home run.”
Listen to their conversation on JustLove on The Catholic Channel 129, SIRIUS XM Satellite Radio.
Tags: Catholic faith, Holy Week, inauguration, Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, poor, Pope Francis, poverty, Satellite Radio, service, Sirius XM
Posted in Feeding the Hungry and Sheltering the Homeless, JustLove, Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, New York City, Protecting and Nurturing Children and Youth, Strengthening Families and Resolving Crises, Supporting the Physically and Emotionally Challenged, What We Do at Catholic Charities | No Comments »
Tuesday, January 29th, 2013
President Barack Obama plans to lay out his vision for immigration reform in Las Vegas today, January 29, 2013, a vision, CBS news reports, that he originally laid out in a major immigration speech in El Paso, Texas in May 2011.
A group of bipartisan senators formally unveiled their framework for comprehensive immigration reform yesterday that is said to be similar to the president’s plan.
“It is both overdue and heartening that the critical issue of immigration reform is moving to the top of Washington’s agenda,” said Catholic Charities Executive Director Monsignor Kevin Sullivan. “Each day Catholic Charities responds to many calls for assistance from immigrants who needlessly struggle and are threatened by the dysfunctions in our current system.”
Day in and day out, Catholic Charities helps immigrants reunite legally with their families, obtain proper work authorization, learn English and civics, and prepare to pass citizenship exams. Catholic Charities also assists immigrants in avoiding exploitation by unscrupulous practitioners by providing correct information and realistic counsel about immigration status.
In any given year…
| 3,378 |
families counseled and protected from exploitation |
| 40,651 |
calls answered in 18 languages with accurate information |
| 445 |
breadwinners helped to obtain authorization to work |
| 417 |
immigrants reunited with their families |
| 281 |
refugee and asylee families resettled |
| 291 |
immigrants taught English |
“Keeping families together, fair and humane legal immigration policies, reducing illegal immigration, protecting against exploitation and an earned way out of the shadows for the undocumented are all parts of broad immigration reform that this country needs,” Msgr. Sullivan continued. “Catholic Charities is ready and willing to work with many partners to achieve this critical goal.”
Do you need help? Get correct information in 17 languages:
Call Catholic Charities at the New York State New Americans Hotline: 212-419-3737 or 1-800-566-7636 (toll-free in NYS).
For more information please visit the following web links:
Tags: asylee, Catholic Charities, Catholic Charities New York, immigration, Immigration Reform, immigration status, legal immigration policies, Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, Msgr. Kevin Sullivan, New York State New Americans Hotline, refugee, The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, undocumented
Posted in Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, Policy and Advocacy, Welcoming and Integrating Immigrants and Refugees | No Comments »
Monday, January 7th, 2013
On Saturday, January 5th, Obreros Unidos de Yonkers held their annual Three Kings Party to celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany. Timothy Cardinal Dolan joined over 300 members and their families for an Epiphany Vigil Mass at St. Peter’s Church and a celebration afterward.
The Feast of the Epiphany, also known as Three Kings Day, is widely celebrated in the Hispanic community with parties, gifts and a special pastry called rosca de reyes (kings’ ring). Catholic Charities staff and volunteers, including the Sisters of Charity, helped at Saturday’s party by serving dinner, distributing toys to children and giving gifts to the registered workers.
Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, Executive Director of Catholic Charities, Janet Hernandez, the community organizer who staffs the Obreros Unidos program and Father Lino Otero, the pastor of St. Peter’s parish, all participated in the celebration, along with Yonkers Mayor Michael Spano.
“This is a great opportunity to celebrate the contribution that immigrants are making,” said Monsignor Kevin Sullivan. “Their faith, industriousness and commitment to family are values that inspire us all. Catholic Charities is both proud and privileged to be part of this community and provide needed help that creates a future of hope for these workers and their families.”
Obreros Unidos (Workers United) is a group of approximately 300 day laborers in the Yonkers area that works with Catholic Charities on projects throughout the year. For example, after Sandy hit, Obreros Unidos members volunteered to remove crumbling sheet rock and pull out ruined furniture from Staten Island houses destroyed by the storm. Catholic Charities also provides multiple services for the group, including educating workers on employment rights and responsibilities in order to prevent exploitation and abuse.
Tags: Epiphany Vigil Mass, Executive Director of Catholic Charities, Father Lino Otero, Feast of the Epiphany, Hispanic community, Janet Hernandez, Mayor Michael Spano, Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, Obreros Unidos De Yonkers, parish, rosca de reyes, Sisters of Charity, St. Peters Church, Three Kings, timothy cardinal dolan, volunteerism, Volunteers, Yonkers
Posted in Archdiocese News, Cardinal Dolan, Events, Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, Parishes, Protecting and Nurturing Children and Youth, Strengthening Families and Resolving Crises, Volunteering, Welcoming and Integrating Immigrants and Refugees | No Comments »
Monday, December 31st, 2012
Catholic Charities volunteers Jim and Deborah Deats know firsthand of the destruction Sandy caused throughout New York.
While Deborah’s house is on a hill in Concord and escaped undamaged, when she witnessed the devastation across the island, she knew she had to do something. Immediately after the storm, she traveled by car to friends and families to offer help.
Deborah said she drove around “giving hugs, smiles, anything we could, just to tell these people that we’re here for them—that there is hope, that there’s light at the end of the tunnel.”
Deborah’s father, Jim Deats, was in Florida at the time of the hurricane, but he drove up as soon as he could to offer help to the community on his native Staten Island. Teaming up with his daughter, he started volunteering with Catholic Charities to clean up houses on the island that had nearly been destroyed in the storm.
Working with Catholic Charities’ Staci Bruce and Damian Buzzerio, along with over 100 generous and devoted volunteers, Jim and Deborah have now cleaned up nine houses. After assessing what work needs to be done, Jim provides instructions for the volunteers, making sure everyone has a specific job. In addition to mucking out the houses, Deborah also visits with the residents and offers emotional support.
“One house at a time, one family at a time, we’ll get through it together,”Deborah said.
To hear more on how Catholic Charities volunteers give hope and strength to people who are rebuilding after Sandy, listen to Deborah and Jim Deats’ conversation with Monsignor Kevin Sullivan on JustLove.
Tags: Damian Buzzerio, Deborah Deats, Hurricane Sandy, Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund, Jim Deats, JustLove, Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, new york, Sandy, Staci Bruce, Staten Island, volunteering, Volunteers
Posted in JustLove, Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, New York City, Parishes, Staten Island, Strengthening Families and Resolving Crises, Volunteering | No Comments »
Sunday, November 18th, 2012
Nearly three weeks after Sandy left the New York area, victims are still struggling to rebuild their lives. On Saturday, November 17th, Timothy Cardinal Dolan and Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, Executive Director of Catholic Charities New York, visited disaster recovery sites and Holy Rosary Parish on Staten Island to continue assessing ongoing needs and providing help to individuals and families.
Mount Manresa, a temporary housing facility for Sandy victims, is currently housing 30 families who lost their homes. At FEMA’s NYC Restoration Center on Hylan Boulevard, Catholic Charities workers are staffing the case management service at the center.
Catholic Charities, in conjunction with parishes and communities, will continue assisting Sandy victims with everything from the basics like food and clothing to long-term services such as counseling and legal assistance.
“We know that it will take time for people to be able to put all of the pieces of their lives back together, but the Church – our parishes, Catholic Charities, the Al Smith Foundation, and so many dedicated volunteers – will be there with them every step of the way,” Cardinal Dolan said. “I am particularly grateful to those who contributed to our Sandy relief fund, because that will enable us to provide direct assistance to those who need it most right now.”
The Sandy Relief Fund, which has so far raised close to $1 million for relief efforts, is being distributed to the parishes so pastors can put the money directly into immediate services the nearly 1000 families and individuals need.
If you’d like to contribute to the ongoing relief efforts:
Text SANDY to 85944 to make a one-time $10 donation
Tags: Al Smith Foundation, Catholic Charities New York, disaster recovery sites, FEMA, Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, Mount Manresa, NYC Restoration Center, Sandy victims, Staten Island, The Sandy Relief Fund, timothy cardinal dolan
Posted in Agencies, Archdiocese News, Cardinal Dolan, Feeding the Hungry and Sheltering the Homeless, Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, New York City, Parishes, Protecting and Nurturing Children and Youth, Staten Island, Strengthening Families and Resolving Crises, Supporting the Physically and Emotionally Challenged, Welcoming and Integrating Immigrants and Refugees, What We Do at Catholic Charities | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 21st, 2012
February 22, 2011 — Ash Wednesday began for me on the West Side of Manhattan across from Penn Station and Madison Square Garden. For 80 years, St. Francis of Assisi parish has provided simple meals to hundreds of New Yorkers each day.
Cardinal Dolan hands out food on Ash Wednesday morning at the St. Francis Food Line in Manhattan.
Today was much like others. More than 300 hungry men (mostly) and women – known and called by name – received a simple meal to begin their day. Today was also special because Cardinal Dolan, only back from Rome yesterday, helped to distribute meals this morning. He pointed out that this is the right way to begin Lent. He quoted from Ash Wednesday’s scripture readings: this is the type of fasting that the Lord desires – sharing your bread with the poor.
Lent provides us the opportunity to reflect on the all too present reality of suffering in the lives of those we help. Day in and day out, the dedicated women and men of Catholic Charities work not merely alleviate this suffering, but to transform it. This is done with limited resources and in an increasingly difficult environment that threatens not only those we serve, but also the organizations that provide this help. Now more than ever we need each other’s support and prayers.
There are three traditional Lenten practices – prayer, fasting and almsgiving. While sometimes seen as a burden, this season of Lent and these practices are also a gift. Take the opportunity to pause and break the ordinary and necessarily hectic rhythm of your personal and professional lives to reflect and draw inspiration from the mysteries of our faith and tradition – and the relationships that provide strength. In fasting, we touch our own self and focus on what we truly need. In almsgiving – which takes so many different forms – we touch our human sisters and brothers with whom we share the same divine Father. In prayer, we draw closer to the God whose love for us never ends.
A blessed and grace filled Lent.
Sincerely, Monsignor Kevin Sullivan
We invite you to watch this special Lenten message from our executive director, Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, and learn about how to approach the upcoming weeks as a time of renewal.
Tags: ash wednesday, catholic, charity, faith, human services, Lent, Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, video
Posted in Seasonal Message, Volunteering, What We Do at Catholic Charities | 2 Comments »
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