The contributions and commitment of several supporters as well as the efforts of two Catholic faith communities were recognized by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., and the more than 500 people who attended the 24th annual Guardian Angel Dinner Dance Sept. 21 in the Princeton Hyatt Regency. This year’s event also celebrated the agency’s 100th anniversary of service.

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Receiving the Richard J. Hughes, Diocese of Trenton Humanitarian Award for their extraordinary support of Catholic Charities were Ann D. and Mark Baiada, members of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Moorestown, and founders of Bayada Home Health Care.

The couple wase honored for their combined and enthusiastic support of the agency which spans nearly two decades. Mark Baiada shared his brother, Martin’s, first-hand experience with mental health issues and the help he received from Catholic Charities’ Delaware House, Westampton.

“Catholic Charities enabled him to stabilize and lead a better life,” said Mark Baiada.

Through his support of Catholic Charities, Mark Baiada said that he has been “blessed with the opportunity to see many others like him – who need a safety net – receive the help they need to get a fresh start on life.”

Ann Baiada spoke of her support and admiration of Providence House, which provides outreach to victims of domestic violence and their children.

“It’s a good feeling to know that so many women and children who were battered can feel safe at night,” she said.

This year, Catholic Charities presented its “Light of Hope” award to recipients from each of the four counties of the diocese – St. Mary of the Lakes Parish, Medford, Burlington County; the Hon. Anthony J. Persichilli, a member of St. James Parish, Pennington, Mercer County; M. Barbara Willis, Monmouth County, and Visitation Parish, Brick, Ocean County. 

Longtime Catholic Charities supporter Archer & Greiner, P.C., Haddonfield, was presented with the Corporate Citizen of the Year Award, and the 2013 Client Achievement Award was given to Wilson B. Bagley, who expressed gratitude for the help he received through the Partners in Recovery program.

In honor of Catholic Charities’ 100th anniversary, a special Centennial Award was presented to Daniel Lundy, a member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Brant Beach, who helped to found El Centro, a Catholic Charities program that provides critical services to the Latino population in Mercer County.

After offering his congratulations to Catholic Charities on its centennial jubilee, Bishop O’Connell spoke of Pope Francis and how “blessed we are to have a man who puts before the whole world’s eyes the love and service to the poor,” and who “encourages us all – Catholics and non-Catholics alike to share what we have with the poor to make their lives better.”

Marlene Lao-Collins commended the generosity and willingness of so many people who continue to touch the lives of thousands of individuals who seek help from Catholic Charities.

“Every year, our mission to alleviate human suffering assumes even greater urgency for a growing number of people in the communities of the Diocese of Trenton as our challenging economy forces more of our neighbors into what has become the unmentionable ‘P’ word – poverty,” said Lao-Collins, who went on to share the daunting number of people for whom Catholic Charities served in 2012, including: 52,618, food and housing; 51,666, domestic violence and child abuse services; 8,056 behavioral health (mental health and/or addiction treatment); 18,391, social support services (case management, financial counseling, providing community resources, referrals to specialized services)

“We take great lengths to prepare for those coming to us for assistance, to meet them with dignity and compassion and, through our 58 programs, we often witness their healing; their transformation from brokenness to wholeness,” said Lao-Collins.

Upon accepting the Burlington County Light of Hope award on behalf of St. Mary of the Lakes Parish, Msgr. James Dubell, pastor, paid tribute to his parishioners  “who are very, very wonderful people who want to help those who are in need.”