Catholic Charities Centennial begins with Mass
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
By Lois Rogers | Features Editor
In the 100 years since its founding, the range of care offered to those in need by Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Trenton reads like a litany of Catholic social teaching.
From sheltering orphans and facilitating adoptions, to providing healthcare services to counseling, immigration and disaster response, its historical files show that some six million men, women and children have benefited from the care and compassion shown by the agency.
Click HERE to view gallery of photos.
On Feb. 1, Catholic Charities began formally marking the centennial milestone of those achievements in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, with an anniversary Mass celebrated by Msgr. Casimir H. Ladzinski whose long-standing commitment to the agency included 18 years on its board of trustees.
In his homily, Msgr. Ladzinski drew from the scriptures, quoting Matthew 25:31-40. “The sermon of Jesus is fulfilled in your hearing today,” he told the group of Catholic Charities officials, supporters and friends. “For I was hungry and you gave me to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me to drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me. I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
He urged those present to take the words of that Scripture with them and share them as they “talk about Catholic Charities … Fulfill Jesus’ short sermon,” said Msgr. Ladzinski, asking everyone to continue to support the work of Catholic Charities, as needed today as it was 100 years ago.
“The challenges are different today than they were 100 years ago,” he said. “In many ways, they are more difficult,” he said, pointing to the response of Catholic Charities as it reactivated its disaster response team to come to the aid of victims of Hurricane Sandy. “In 2013, we’re the ones fulfilling the challenges (to the victims of Sandy) in the name of Jesus,” he said.
The Mass was the official starting point for a round of festivities that will highlight the agency, which, through the Depression and disasters, has been a trusted resource to those in need in Central New Jersey.
The agency traces its roots to 1913 when the diocese expanded its array of social services by formally establishing one office – then called the St. Michael’s Aid Society – for all charitable agencies. This first incarnation of Catholic Charities, Trenton, is said to have been one of only five such agencies in the entire country at the time, said Marlene Lao-Collins, Catholic Charities executive director.
Lao-Collins called the centennial, which will include a number of events over the coming year, a time to celebrate Catholic Charities vital role in the social services network in Central New Jersey.
Francis Dolan, her predecessor in the position, called the anniversary a “wonderful opportunity to tell the story of Catholic Charities and get more people involved. The community needs to know how Catholic Charities responds to the needs of families helping with shelter, food and counseling. Catholic Charities is part of the community-at-large.”
George Bontcue, the agency’s associate executive director for fiscal affairs, and Richard Gillespie, chair of the centennial celebration committee, were among staff members and supporters who attended the Mass.
At the reception which followed in the cathedral dining hall, Bontcue said the Mass was a fine way to “start celebrating a whole list of events.”
Gillespie, a member of St. James Parish, Pennington, said each of the events bring awareness to the work done by Catholic Charities.
These events will include: Big East Conference Basketball Tournament Party and Championship Ticket Raffle, 7 p.m., March 15 at Tommy’s Coal Fired Pizzeria. Proceeds from this event will benefit Catholic Charities disaster response program which helps those affected by Hurricane Sandy. For information, call 732-747-9660, ext. 107; 100 Years & Running: Catholic Charities’ Inaugural 5K Run/Walk, 9 a.m. April 6, Mercer County Park, West Windsor. For information, call 609-394-5181, ext. 1137; Ray of Hope Gala, April 26, Eagle Oaks Country Club, Farmingdale. Kick-Off Reception for the Guardian Angels Dinner Dance, 6 p.m., May 16, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Princeton; Guardian Angel dinner Dance, Sept. 21, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Princeton.
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By Lois Rogers | Features Editor
In the 100 years since its founding, the range of care offered to those in need by Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Trenton reads like a litany of Catholic social teaching.
From sheltering orphans and facilitating adoptions, to providing healthcare services to counseling, immigration and disaster response, its historical files show that some six million men, women and children have benefited from the care and compassion shown by the agency.
Click HERE to view gallery of photos.
On Feb. 1, Catholic Charities began formally marking the centennial milestone of those achievements in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, with an anniversary Mass celebrated by Msgr. Casimir H. Ladzinski whose long-standing commitment to the agency included 18 years on its board of trustees.
In his homily, Msgr. Ladzinski drew from the scriptures, quoting Matthew 25:31-40. “The sermon of Jesus is fulfilled in your hearing today,” he told the group of Catholic Charities officials, supporters and friends. “For I was hungry and you gave me to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me to drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me. I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
He urged those present to take the words of that Scripture with them and share them as they “talk about Catholic Charities … Fulfill Jesus’ short sermon,” said Msgr. Ladzinski, asking everyone to continue to support the work of Catholic Charities, as needed today as it was 100 years ago.
“The challenges are different today than they were 100 years ago,” he said. “In many ways, they are more difficult,” he said, pointing to the response of Catholic Charities as it reactivated its disaster response team to come to the aid of victims of Hurricane Sandy. “In 2013, we’re the ones fulfilling the challenges (to the victims of Sandy) in the name of Jesus,” he said.
The Mass was the official starting point for a round of festivities that will highlight the agency, which, through the Depression and disasters, has been a trusted resource to those in need in Central New Jersey.
The agency traces its roots to 1913 when the diocese expanded its array of social services by formally establishing one office – then called the St. Michael’s Aid Society – for all charitable agencies. This first incarnation of Catholic Charities, Trenton, is said to have been one of only five such agencies in the entire country at the time, said Marlene Lao-Collins, Catholic Charities executive director.
Lao-Collins called the centennial, which will include a number of events over the coming year, a time to celebrate Catholic Charities vital role in the social services network in Central New Jersey.
Francis Dolan, her predecessor in the position, called the anniversary a “wonderful opportunity to tell the story of Catholic Charities and get more people involved. The community needs to know how Catholic Charities responds to the needs of families helping with shelter, food and counseling. Catholic Charities is part of the community-at-large.”
George Bontcue, the agency’s associate executive director for fiscal affairs, and Richard Gillespie, chair of the centennial celebration committee, were among staff members and supporters who attended the Mass.
At the reception which followed in the cathedral dining hall, Bontcue said the Mass was a fine way to “start celebrating a whole list of events.”
Gillespie, a member of St. James Parish, Pennington, said each of the events bring awareness to the work done by Catholic Charities.
These events will include: Big East Conference Basketball Tournament Party and Championship Ticket Raffle, 7 p.m., March 15 at Tommy’s Coal Fired Pizzeria. Proceeds from this event will benefit Catholic Charities disaster response program which helps those affected by Hurricane Sandy. For information, call 732-747-9660, ext. 107; 100 Years & Running: Catholic Charities’ Inaugural 5K Run/Walk, 9 a.m. April 6, Mercer County Park, West Windsor. For information, call 609-394-5181, ext. 1137; Ray of Hope Gala, April 26, Eagle Oaks Country Club, Farmingdale. Kick-Off Reception for the Guardian Angels Dinner Dance, 6 p.m., May 16, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Princeton; Guardian Angel dinner Dance, Sept. 21, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Princeton.
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