By Jennifer Mauro | Associate Editor

Susan Parker walked into the Catholic Charities Guardian Angel Dinner Dance with a smile, knowing she would be receiving the organization’s “Client Achievement Award.” But the look of disbelief she wore as the evening came to a close proved she never imagined she would be leaving the gala with a scholarship to Georgian Court University.

“I’m in a state of shock,” Parker said, not too long after it was announced that university officials wanted to help with her education after being moved by her acceptance speech.

“To fall and get back up … I used to think, ‘Why is God doing this to me? I don’t understand,’” said Parker, who fought her way out of addiction and homelessness to become a peer support counselor for Catholic Charities. “I thought it would never end, and now look.”

Photo Gallery: Catholic Charities Guardian Angel Dinner Dance

Parker was one of several individuals, parishes and corporate supporters to be recognized with awards at Catholic Charities’ 27th annual gala fundraiser, held Sept. 24 in the Hyatt Regency Princeton. Wearing ball gowns, suits and tuxedos, hundreds gathered for a cocktail hour and to peruse auction items before being led into a ballroom for the award presentations, dinner and dancing.

“This is a great opportunity to acknowledge some incredible individuals, churches and couples who go above and beyond,” said Marlene Lao-Collins, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Trenton. “They make a difference not only at Catholic Charities but also in their parishes and communities as well.”

Work of the Many
David and Patricia Wright, members of St. Catharine-St. Margaret Parish, Spring Lake, received the “Richard J. Hughes Humanitarian Award” – named after the former New Jersey governor to recognize his support and commitment to Catholic Charities.

“It’s overwhelming to get this kind of recognition,” David Wright said. “There are so many people out there who have done at least as much – or more.”

The Wrights, longtime supporters of Catholic Charities, are among the founding members of their parish’s social concerns committee and serve as extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion. David Wright has served on the organization’s board of trustees and as board chairman. In addition, he has worked on building homes for Coastal Habitat for Humanity, and Patricia Wright has been involved in supporting vulnerable individuals around the Diocese through various activities.

“When you see the interaction between people and how you can make a difference in someone’s life, how can you not do this?” David Wright said.

Father Phillip C. Pfleger, pastor in St. John Neumann Parish, Mount Laurel, echoed those sentiments in accepting the “Light of Hope Award” on behalf of his parish. The award is presented in each of the Diocese’s four counties in honor of individuals or groups who support Catholic Charities in their communities.

“It’s all about taking care of the little needs,” Father Pfleger said, crediting his parish’s efforts to aid the less fortunate. Since 1992, the Burlington County parish has worked with Catholic Charities, offering support through nearly $50,000 in monetary and in-kind donations. It has also collected food and clothing for Catholic Charities programs and prepares weekly casserole deliveries.

“The best award we can ever receive is from the coordination between organizations,” he said, recognizing not only the synergy between Catholic Charities and the parish but also the individuals who volunteer and donate. “I see all of the charitable work that goes on at St. John’s … this award goes to each and every one of them.”

St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, Freehold, received the “Light of Hope Award” in Monmouth County for, among other reasons, reaching out to the community through the Father Benedict ministry, holiday gifts and food collections.

“We’re not doing anything extraordinary,” Msgr. Sam A. Sirianni, pastor, said in accepting the award for the parish. “We’re doing what we’re supposed to do.”

Other “Light of Hope Award” winners included Mercer County’s Peter Haas, past board of trustees chairman for Catholic Charities who has also served as chairman for the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen and an active volunteer with the Knights of Columbus in his parish, St. Anthony of Padua, Hightstown; and Ocean County’s Component Hardware Group Inc., Lakewood, a longtime supporter of Catholic Charities’ Providence House Domestic Violence Services.

“Corporate Citizen of the Year” went to Trenton-based NJM Insurance Group for its commitment to community service.

About all of the honorees, Lao-Collins said, “We couldn’t serve 100,000 people each year without the help of these individuals.”

Putting Faith Into Action
For the first time, the awards took the form of one of two statues by Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz, whose “Homeless Jesus” has been installed in the Vatican. The two statues presented were “Mother,” a representation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and “When I was Hungry and Thirsty,” a depiction of a homeless person.

“These two sculptures represent compassion and love,” Lao-Collins said. “When you look at the statues and meditate on them, you want to do more.”

“Wanting to do more” was not only at the heart of publicly recognizing the organization’s work with the poor and saluting those who have positively impacted the CCDOT, it was also a message heard and acted upon as the evening progressed.

In accepting the “Client Achievement Award,” Parker told her story of homelessness and addiction after her 28-year-marriage came to an end and how her life turned around with the help of Catholic Charities and her own determination. She went on to earn an associate’s degree in applied science but was surprised, she said, to discover it still wasn’t enough to secure her a job. She returned to Catholic Charities to work with its Early Intervention Support Service in Trenton, which provides short-term mental health services for adults experiencing significant emotional or psychiatric distress, and those who are in need of immediate support and intervention.

Moved by Parker’s story, Georgian Court University leaders in attendance announced moments later that they wanted to give her a full scholarship in order for the peer advocate to earn a bachelor’s degree.

“Education is the new Ellis Island – it’s the symbol of opportunity,” said university President Joseph R. Marbach. “We’re pleased to offer that opportunity to Susan.”

Brian Agnew, the university’s vice president of Institutional Advancement, said the decision to offer Parker a scholarship fell in line with the evening’s theme of making a difference in the world.

“The whole point is to do good works, so tonight we feel really proud to fulfill mercy values with Susan Parker coming to Georgian Court University,” he said.

In addition to expressing gratitude over the university’s offer, Parker smiled wide as she spoke of the Catholic Charities award. “Getting up there was probably one of the highlights of my life,” she said of accepting her statue on stage.

Lao-Collins called Parker’s story inspiring. “She achieved what many people think is impossible. She’s so grateful that she’s paying it forward.”