Taking a walk brings hope to those in need
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
By Rose O’Connor | Correspondent
The beautiful weather was only one of the many blessings bestowed on the first annual Catholic Charities Walk of Hope held April 4 at Mercer County Park, West Windsor.
To see photo gallery on this story, click here.
“The purpose of this walk is to continue to support everything we do in helping to reduce poverty, in promoting recovery and strengthening families,” Marlene Lao-Collins, executive director of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Trenton, said as she welcomed the gathered walkers.
“We have 345 walkers, 32 groups, over five parishes and 14 sponsors raising over $22,000,” she cited to the cheering crowd.
“Catholic Charities of Mercer County is one of the greatest kept secrets throughout the county,” Msgr. Ronald Bacovin, a retired priest of the Diocese said as he led the opening prayer. “Let everything we do be inspired by the life of our Lord, Jesus, be empowered by the work of the Spirit.’
Donna Wile, Hamilton, was joined by her family and served as an honorary walker at the Walk of Hope. Only a year ago, Wile was homeless and struggled with addiction to prescription painkillers.
“The journey she began in the spring of 2013 was her first walk of hope,” Collins said of Wile, whose touching story was featured on the Catholic Charities website.
“Catholic Charities is an amazing organization,” she stated in the video, and acknowledges that while she was always familiar with the organization, “she never knew of the intricacy of the help that they provide and all the facets involved.”
Wile has since started a new job and has been reunited with her family.
“I will be forever indebted to Catholic Charities for what they have done for me. Last year I was a different person, and now I am well, flourishing and happier than I have ever been in my entire life, and it was from the generosity and the love and the hope that I found through Catholic Charities. I want to thank you all very much,” she offered to a round of applause.
The mission of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton, is inspired by the Scriptures and reflected in Catholic social teaching to alleviate human suffering, and improve the quality of life of individuals and families, especially the poor and vulnerable, through service, advocacy and community building.
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., served as honorary chair of the event, and all proceeds raised through the Walk of Hope will go directly to Catholic Charities programs in Mercer County.
The dedication to helping those in need and their fiscal responsibility is one of the reasons team captain Philip Volpe of St. James Parish, Pennington, fully supports the organization.
“You know the money raised by Catholic Charities is going to be used well,” Volpe disclosed.
Bryan Bowers, a parishioner of St. Gregory the Great, Hamilton Square, and a member of the Hamilton Knights of Columbus Council 7677, concurred with Volpe.
“We wanted to help Catholic Charities help those in need,” Bowers said.
In addition to local parishes who offered their support to the inaugural walk, high school students also raised funds and formed their own teams.
Hope Brennan-Bauch, science department chair in Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, gathered with her team, the Environmental Club, to participate in the Walk of Hope.
“These are an amazing group of kids and we are glad to support the Catholic Charities and their work,” she said with enthusiasm.
Trenton Catholic Academy, Hamilton, team captain, Mariana Sanchez, concurred, “We wanted to help the community,” she explained, to which fellow freshman Karen Segura added, “We wanted to give hope.”
Lao-Collins acknowledged she was touched as the walkers began their trek, through the beautiful paths and trails in the park, saying, “I am overwhelmed with the generosity and support we have received from all of the young people, older people, the businesses, the parishes – I am speechless!”
One group of enthusiastic walkers, “Woodrow’s Warriors,” named for their pastor, Father Brian Woodrow of St. John the Baptist Parish, Allentown, was ecstatic to be present at the walk.
“We may be a small group,” she admitted, “but we have sunshine, we have faith and it’s a beautiful day!”
For more information on the services provided by Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Trenton, visit www.catholiccharitiestrenton.org.
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By Rose O’Connor | Correspondent
The beautiful weather was only one of the many blessings bestowed on the first annual Catholic Charities Walk of Hope held April 4 at Mercer County Park, West Windsor.
To see photo gallery on this story, click here.
“The purpose of this walk is to continue to support everything we do in helping to reduce poverty, in promoting recovery and strengthening families,” Marlene Lao-Collins, executive director of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Trenton, said as she welcomed the gathered walkers.
“We have 345 walkers, 32 groups, over five parishes and 14 sponsors raising over $22,000,” she cited to the cheering crowd.
“Catholic Charities of Mercer County is one of the greatest kept secrets throughout the county,” Msgr. Ronald Bacovin, a retired priest of the Diocese said as he led the opening prayer. “Let everything we do be inspired by the life of our Lord, Jesus, be empowered by the work of the Spirit.’
Donna Wile, Hamilton, was joined by her family and served as an honorary walker at the Walk of Hope. Only a year ago, Wile was homeless and struggled with addiction to prescription painkillers.
“The journey she began in the spring of 2013 was her first walk of hope,” Collins said of Wile, whose touching story was featured on the Catholic Charities website.
“Catholic Charities is an amazing organization,” she stated in the video, and acknowledges that while she was always familiar with the organization, “she never knew of the intricacy of the help that they provide and all the facets involved.”
Wile has since started a new job and has been reunited with her family.
“I will be forever indebted to Catholic Charities for what they have done for me. Last year I was a different person, and now I am well, flourishing and happier than I have ever been in my entire life, and it was from the generosity and the love and the hope that I found through Catholic Charities. I want to thank you all very much,” she offered to a round of applause.
The mission of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton, is inspired by the Scriptures and reflected in Catholic social teaching to alleviate human suffering, and improve the quality of life of individuals and families, especially the poor and vulnerable, through service, advocacy and community building.
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., served as honorary chair of the event, and all proceeds raised through the Walk of Hope will go directly to Catholic Charities programs in Mercer County.
The dedication to helping those in need and their fiscal responsibility is one of the reasons team captain Philip Volpe of St. James Parish, Pennington, fully supports the organization.
“You know the money raised by Catholic Charities is going to be used well,” Volpe disclosed.
Bryan Bowers, a parishioner of St. Gregory the Great, Hamilton Square, and a member of the Hamilton Knights of Columbus Council 7677, concurred with Volpe.
“We wanted to help Catholic Charities help those in need,” Bowers said.
In addition to local parishes who offered their support to the inaugural walk, high school students also raised funds and formed their own teams.
Hope Brennan-Bauch, science department chair in Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, gathered with her team, the Environmental Club, to participate in the Walk of Hope.
“These are an amazing group of kids and we are glad to support the Catholic Charities and their work,” she said with enthusiasm.
Trenton Catholic Academy, Hamilton, team captain, Mariana Sanchez, concurred, “We wanted to help the community,” she explained, to which fellow freshman Karen Segura added, “We wanted to give hope.”
Lao-Collins acknowledged she was touched as the walkers began their trek, through the beautiful paths and trails in the park, saying, “I am overwhelmed with the generosity and support we have received from all of the young people, older people, the businesses, the parishes – I am speechless!”
One group of enthusiastic walkers, “Woodrow’s Warriors,” named for their pastor, Father Brian Woodrow of St. John the Baptist Parish, Allentown, was ecstatic to be present at the walk.
“We may be a small group,” she admitted, “but we have sunshine, we have faith and it’s a beautiful day!”
For more information on the services provided by Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Trenton, visit www.catholiccharitiestrenton.org.
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