Join us for A Movement to Love: An Evening with Catholic Charities on Tuesday, October 22, 2019, at the Hippodrome Theater, to celebrate the work of eight extraordinary individuals – three community leaders and five colleagues.

At the event, guests will meet and hear reflections from three Exemplary Community Servants who consistently displayed a strong commitment to the Catholic Charities mission and have positively impacted lives throughout Baltimore and beyond. 

These 2019 honorees include:

Sr. Helen Amos, RSM who will receive The Msgr. Arthur F. Valenzano Joyful Servant Award. Sr. Helen is Executive Chair of the Mercy Health Services Board of Trustees. Her long involvement in The Journey Home includes her role as chair of the Leadership Advisory Group for Baltimore’s 10-year plan to end homelessness. Her steadfast and heartfelt commitment to community resonates to all who know her and reaches throughout the city we serve. The award is given to an individual who embodies the joyful life and spirit of the late rector of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Msgr Art Valenzano, who was also a member of our Board of Trustees until his passing in September 2015.

Ralph W. “Buddy” Emerson will receive the Distinguished Service Award, given to an individual or group that exemplifies or significantly supports compassionate caregiving and service, has personal commitment to our work, and cherishes the Divine within those we serve. Buddy has served on our Board of Trustees for 16 years and will end his term in December. For more than three decades, he has been part of the Catholic Charities family, serving as a dedicated volunteer, philanthropist and friend who has made service to our clients a family affair, even holding cookouts for programs (and building a grill for one).

We are humbled by the selflessness of Lauren Cole, who will receive the Anne Lindsey Otenasek Youth Service Award. Lauren, is about to start college, has been serving Catholic Charities since she was 14 in many ways. She now bakes regular treats for the Narcotics Anonymous group at My Sister’s Place Women’s Center, which she encountered when dropping off her usual desserts for the women of the center. Her personalized touches include hand-designed menus for every meeting. This award is in memory of Anne Lindsey Otenasek, who served as a passionate volunteer in her teens until she was lost in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 in 1988. The award honors and perpetuates her spirit, which was the hallmark of her volunteer work at Gallagher Services.

“Catholic Charities is fortunate to have so many colleagues and friends throughout Maryland,” said Executive Director Bill McCarthy. “These honorees live our mission and commitments each day and our organization is excited to celebrate their work.

Earlier in the evening , Mr. McCarthy will present the Mission in Action Award to five outstanding Catholic Charities colleagues who demonstrate exemplary service. All honorees were nominated by their peers. The 2019 Mission In Action Honorees include:

Agatha Callahan, Associate Administrator, Villa Maria School
Mikael Kristiansen, Volunteer Manager, Family Services
Kevin Mason, Program Manager, My Brother’s Keeper
Denine Rafus, Family Services Coordinator Supervisor, Head Start of Baltimore City 
Tazaa Sweeney, Household Supervisor, Caritas House Assisted Living

 Join us to celebrate your neighbors, colleagues and community leaders at our Annual Celebration.
Join us for the festive award celebration with heavy hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and dessert. Free parking in the Grand Garage.
For information, go to cc-md-old.vitamindesign.com/annualcelebration. Questions? Call 667-600-2028.