Columbiettes name Humanitarian of the Year at annual luncheon
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
By Christina Leslie|Correspondent
Sofia Moreno, a member of St. John Parish, Lakehurst, was honored with the Humanitarian of the Year award from the N. J. Supreme Council of the Columbiettes, the organization of Catholic women which undertakes numerous works of charity within the framework of the Knights of Columbus. Moreno received her plaque and recognition at the Columbiettes’ annual tea party luncheon held Aug. 20 in Leisure Knoll Village, Manchester.
Moreno was chosen for the award from among a group of nominees chosen by each Columbiettes auxiliary in the state and selected by a committee of past state officers. Past N.J. supreme council president Sandra Bohinski explained Moreno’s selection from among the other nominees. “We chose her for a number of reasons: she taught herself English, does lots of volunteer work at church and cares for her paralyzed roommate,” Bohinski said. “She’s very caring and very giving.”
Cathy Varsalona, president of the Columbiettes’ Father Emil J. Kapaun auxiliary in Manchester, agreed. “We chose [Moreno] for her community service. She is always smiling, and being around her puts anyone in a good mood,” Varsalona noted. “She is very deserving of the award.”
Moreno, a native of Columbia, arrived in the United States in 1964. The former teacher worked many years as an expert New York City jeweler before settling in the Toms River area. At her Lakehurst parish, Moreno has served as religious education teacher, extraordinary minister of holy Communion and parish council member, and has assisted with weekly Mass collections and monthly food deliveries to the poor. She has also worked with Meals on Wheels and volunteered with the CareTakers of Toms River, an organization which aids the aged and infirm in their shopping and transportation to doctors.
Moreno was pleased yet humbled by the award. “When I received the [award] letter, it was an absolute honor and a big surprise,” she admitted. “I always do what I can to help. It becomes a habit, it’s my way of life.” Moreno now spends much of her time aiding a friend who has become paralyzed by a stroke live more independently. “I always do what I can to help,” Moreno said.
The idea to create the Columbiettes, a Catholic organization for women to work in harmony with the Knights of Columbus, was conceived by Msgr. J. Francis McIntyre, chaplain of the New York City chapter of the Knights. The first chapter of the Columbiettes was instituted in March of 1939, and the organization’s first supreme council president was NewYork Supreme Court Justice Margaret Mary Mangan.
The Columbiettes organization’s purpose is to give assistance to the Knights of Columbus and safeguard the spiritual, social, intellectual and economic welfare of its members. At present, over 13,000 Catholic women age 17 and older are members of more than 200 auxiliaries in the United States and Canada.
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By Christina Leslie|Correspondent
Sofia Moreno, a member of St. John Parish, Lakehurst, was honored with the Humanitarian of the Year award from the N. J. Supreme Council of the Columbiettes, the organization of Catholic women which undertakes numerous works of charity within the framework of the Knights of Columbus. Moreno received her plaque and recognition at the Columbiettes’ annual tea party luncheon held Aug. 20 in Leisure Knoll Village, Manchester.
Moreno was chosen for the award from among a group of nominees chosen by each Columbiettes auxiliary in the state and selected by a committee of past state officers. Past N.J. supreme council president Sandra Bohinski explained Moreno’s selection from among the other nominees. “We chose her for a number of reasons: she taught herself English, does lots of volunteer work at church and cares for her paralyzed roommate,” Bohinski said. “She’s very caring and very giving.”
Cathy Varsalona, president of the Columbiettes’ Father Emil J. Kapaun auxiliary in Manchester, agreed. “We chose [Moreno] for her community service. She is always smiling, and being around her puts anyone in a good mood,” Varsalona noted. “She is very deserving of the award.”
Moreno, a native of Columbia, arrived in the United States in 1964. The former teacher worked many years as an expert New York City jeweler before settling in the Toms River area. At her Lakehurst parish, Moreno has served as religious education teacher, extraordinary minister of holy Communion and parish council member, and has assisted with weekly Mass collections and monthly food deliveries to the poor. She has also worked with Meals on Wheels and volunteered with the CareTakers of Toms River, an organization which aids the aged and infirm in their shopping and transportation to doctors.
Moreno was pleased yet humbled by the award. “When I received the [award] letter, it was an absolute honor and a big surprise,” she admitted. “I always do what I can to help. It becomes a habit, it’s my way of life.” Moreno now spends much of her time aiding a friend who has become paralyzed by a stroke live more independently. “I always do what I can to help,” Moreno said.
The idea to create the Columbiettes, a Catholic organization for women to work in harmony with the Knights of Columbus, was conceived by Msgr. J. Francis McIntyre, chaplain of the New York City chapter of the Knights. The first chapter of the Columbiettes was instituted in March of 1939, and the organization’s first supreme council president was NewYork Supreme Court Justice Margaret Mary Mangan.
The Columbiettes organization’s purpose is to give assistance to the Knights of Columbus and safeguard the spiritual, social, intellectual and economic welfare of its members. At present, over 13,000 Catholic women age 17 and older are members of more than 200 auxiliaries in the United States and Canada.
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