By Rose O’Connor | Correspondent

Almost 450 people gathered to honor and celebrate those who make a difference in the lives of others at the 25th Annual Catholic Charities Guardian Angel Dinner Dance Sept. 27 in the Hyatt Regency, Princeton.

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David and Patricia Wright served as co-chairs for the event that honors both individuals and parishes who have supported the works of Catholic Charities and have assisted the agency in ensuring more people reach their full potential.

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., president of Catholic Charities, welcomed benefactors, awardees, their families and friends  and was happy to acknowledge the presence of Bishop Emeritus John M. Smith, who was also in attendance.

“I am delighted to be here,” he said offering his congratulations to the award recipients in his invocation and recognized the “witness you give to the Gospel of joy.”

New Jersey State Sen. Peter A. Inverso, a member of the Catholic Charities’ board of trustees and a parishioner of Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton, also expressed his gratitude for those being honored for “unselfishly giving of your time, talents and treasures.”

Marlene Laó-Collins, Executive Director of Catholic Charities, had the privilege of introducing the honorees and shared the different ways the philanthropic organization, where 90 perent of all donations go directly to the clients, serves the community through its various programs.

“You are truly the arms and feet of Jesus Christ,” she stated, while revealing that in 2013, 187,845 clients were served through the charitable organization.

“Light of Hope Awards” were presented to individuals or parish groups in each county in the diocese. A video montage highlighting the works of charity by each of the recipients was broadcasted.

In Burlington County, the Light of Hope Award” was presented to Wally Loza, who began volunteering his time with the agency after his retirement.

A member of the Burlington County Board of Catholic Charities, Loza has served on the Dinner Dance committee in the past and currently volunteers at Community Services in Delanco.

Loza believes that through serving others, “we serve him.”

He and his wife Carol, who have been married for 50 years, have nine children and 12 grandchildren.

His daughter Stephanie Petzold offered, “He influenced all of us to work for the betterment of society and to extend beyond oneself.”

The Mercer County “Light of Hope Award” recipient, Norma Monaghan, president and CEO of St. Francis Medical Center Foundation and senior vice president of development, has been involved with Catholic Charities for more than a decade. 

St. Francis Medical Center works closely with Catholic Charities and assists in fulfilling its mission and vision.

As she detailed in her profile, “Having heard the stories and met the people whose lives have been so greatly improved because of Catholic Charities makes me proud to work with them as a representative of St. Francis Medical Center. I am indeed humbled and honored to be recognized by Catholic Charities.”

The parish community of St. Catharine-St. Margaret, Spring Lake, received the Monmouth County “Light of Hope Award.”

The mission statement of the parish includes the commitment to serve those in need. The late Msgr. Thomas A. Luebking supported the projects of Catholic Charities during his 25 years as pastor of the parish.

Father Harold Cullen, current pastor of St. Catharine-St. Margaret Parish, remains dedicated to continuing MSgr. Luebking’s vision and commitment to serving the less fortunate through participation in the organization’s programs and projects.

“Without justice, without mercy, we cannot have peace,” Father Cullen remarked when interviewed for the video presentation.

The parish sponsors monthly food collection for The Center in Asbury Park and the new Mother of Mercy Parish, which was created from the merger of  Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish with Holy Spirit Parish.

Mercy Sister Carole MacKenthun has organized efforts to support schools in Uganda. Parishioners have donated financially and have helped to build clinics and most recently, a maternity ward at a local hospital.

St. Mary Parish, Barnegat is also a long-time supporter of Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Trenton. While the parish community has always been charitable and giving, Msgr. Kenard Tuzeneu, pastor, helped promote and spearhead the extensive effort to assist the community following Hurricane Sandy. 

One of the most prolific campaigns in the parish is “Ken’s Kitchen” which offers free meals to those who are hungry and serve between 1,300-1,400 meals a month. 

“I am very humbled, I am blown away,” George Reilly, admitted when accepting the Corporate Citizen of the Year Award on behalf of Reilly Financial Group.

“Catholic Charities has been in my blood for many years,” he spoke affectionately of the organization that he “loves so much,” and desires to continue the works of Catholic Charities and to give as “Our Lord, Jesus has taught us.”

 “The whole community respects Catholic Charities, “Reilly continued, “For everyone who asks, receives.”

Robert and Karen Tanzola, recipients of the “Richard J. Hughes, Catholic Charities Diocese of Trenton Humanitarian Award” are all too familiar with the plight of the less fortunate not only on a local level but an international level as well.

While employed with General Motors, Bob spent 29 years with his wife and their three sons living in nine different countries.

Once they returned to the United States and settled in Spring Lake, they became very active members of St. Catharine-St. Margaret Parish where Karen serves as parish council president, an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, a team member of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, a religious education teacher and also teaches Spanish in St. Catharine School.

 Bob joined Catholic Charities in 2006 as has served as chairman of the finance cCommittee until he was nominated to be vice chair of the board of trustees. He too, serves his parish in various ministries and is also a volunteer in Trenton State Prison and is President of the Spring Lake Volunteer First Aid Squad. 

Eddie Martinez received the “Client Achievement Award.” Having spent 16 years in foster care, Martinez was no stranger to struggle.  After a series of unfortunate events, he found himself homeless at the age of 18.  He was given information about Beacon House, a Monmouth County transitional program for children who are no longer eligible to receive protection and assistance from the state through the Department of Child Protection.

At Beacon House Martinez received support and guidance from Robyn Joannou, a Beacon House program supervisor.  He developed life skills and participated in Linkage Program which provides transitional housing to parents with young children.  Martinez has earned his CDL and is employed by a trucking company where he owns his own truck.

Due to his job, Martinez was not able to be present for the Guardian Angel Dinner Dance but offered kind words for Catholic Charities and Joannou. “I am so thankful to Robyn, Catholic Charities and anyone who ever helped me.  I could not be the father I am today without their support and encouragement.”

Robyn Joannou proudly accepted the award on Martinez’s behalf.  

When Bishop O’Connell wrote his letter commemorating the occasion, he called to mind the words of Pope Francis, “Let us all remember this: one cannot proclaim the Gospel of Jesus without the tangible witness of one’s life.  Those who listen to us an observe us, must be able to see in our actions what they hear from our lips and so give glory to God.”