By Mary Stadnyk |Associate Editor

Through its outreach to single, homeless, pregnant women and their children, Good Counsel Home-South Jersey serves in the ministry of evangelization and as a witness to the faith of Jesus Christ by providing a source of hope to those in need.

Such was the heart of Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.’s message when he addressed the hundreds of people who gathered for Good Counsel-South Jersey’s annual fundraising banquet held Oct. 27 in Lucien’s Manor, Berlin.

The bishop acknowledged the throng which included GCH staff members, friends and supporters, then connected his recent pastoral essay on “Witness is the best teacher of our faith” with the mission of Good Counsel Home-South Jersey.

“Our Lord Jesus Christ identified his mission as preaching the Gospel to the poor. Over these many centu­ries, Catholics and other Christians have come to know that the object of our preaching – the poor – is not only confined to those who lack material resources,” said Bishop O’Connell. “The ‘poor’ who need to hear the Gospel also includes those who lack a relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ; they lack relationship with family and with one another,” he said.

“They, too, are the ‘poor.’ They, too, are the ‘mission of the Catholic Church’ and that makes them part of the ‘new evangelization’ that is so large a part of the Church’s conversation and efforts in our day,” he said.

Bishop O’Connell explained how the Catholic Church follows the example and mission of Jesus Christ and “exists to transform and convert society and culture, to transform and change the world, a world that all too sadly, all too often places so little value on human life in all its stages – from conception to natural death,” said Bishop O’Connell.

Similarly, he continued, “Our Good Counsel Home in Riverside is witness to the value of life at its inception. It inspires faith in the God who has promised to be with us always; it gives hope to those whom hope seems impossible,” the bishop said.

“Good Counsel Homes helps to build a future of hope to people who feel hopeless,” said Bishop O’Connell. “Tonight we recognize people who give hope, provide hope and who are hope to the people Good Counsel Home serves.”

Other highlights of the evening included a brief recap of GCH’s history by staff member JoAnn DiNoia, who works with development and fundraising, and witness talks by mothers and their experiences with Good Counsel Homes.

Noting that the Riverside facility opened in April 2011, DiNoia spoke of how it operates round-the-clock with a staff comprising house manager, case manager, seven full-time residential advisors, one full-time care staff, two parttime residential advisors and a core of 10 to 15 volunteers who help with caring for the children.

Currently there are nine mothers and six babies living in Riverside, DiNoia said, then noted that the newest addition, baby “Alivia” was born Oct. 15.

Michelle Sy shared her experience as a homeless, jobless pregnant woman, living in a shelter in New York when she came across a flier that had a picture of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta holding a baby. Printed on the flier was the question, “Are you pregnant?” and a toll-free number which Sy promptly called. Sy was able to take up residence in GCH’s Staten Island facility, but was then relocated to the Riverside facility. Sy smiled as she spoke of how grateful she is for the support and care that she and her now year-old baby, Erica, have since received. In addition, she spoke of the assistance GCH staff and volunteers have provided in helping her to find a job and obtain American citizenship.

“Without Good Counsel Home, Erica and I would be out in the street,” Sy said. “But now I have hope for my future. My future seems much brighter.”