catholic charities ball

Catholic Charities Ball Celebrates Silver Anniversary

By Michael F. Flach
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the Issue of 2/15/07)

The Catholic Charities Ball has been an invaluable financial resource for the charitable agency since its inception in 1982. Catholic Charities helps improve the quality of life for over 25,000 disadvantaged individuals in the diocese by providing food, clothing, counseling and financial assistance. This year’s “Jubilee Celebration” was held Feb. 9 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Tysons Corner.
Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde and Steve Luteran, executive director of Catholic Charities, greeted a capacity crowd of nearly 1,000 supporters. Former directors Fathers Gerry Creedon and Jack O’Hara were on hand to celebrate the special occasion.
Mary Beth Carroll of Falls Church and Connie Nelson of McLean (pictured above) served as this year’s chairwomen. The Special Gifts Committee, which is responsible for a major portion of the funds raised by the ball, was chaired this year by Robert Smith, managing partner of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, and Kenneth Tarpey, executive vice president, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of ObjectVideo (pictured below).

special gifts
Catholic Charities supports ministries such as Christ House Shelter, Childrens’ and Family Services, prison outreach, St. Martin de Porres Senior Center, Hogar Hispano and emergency financial assistance. These targeted services reach out to everyone from the unborn child to senior citizens and are open to all in need, regardless of religious affiliation.
The diocese encompasses 21 counties and seven independent cities throughout Virginia. Over the last 24 years, the ball has contributed over $5.4 million to Catholic Charities. Over 90 percent of last year’s revenue went directly to benefit the many programs that reach out and address the needs of families, individuals and communities.
“We are deeply grateful for the vision which energized Bishop Thomas J. Welsh and later Bishop John R. Keating, together with those initial committee members, to provide tangible assistance to the poor, the needy and the vulnerable among us in this diocese,” wrote Bishop Loverde in the ball program. “Only the Lord knows how many men, women and children have been aided by the services of our diocesan Catholic Charities over these past 25 years. We cannot help but give thanks for the many donors over this quarter of a century who have been instruments of care, compassion and realistic help.”
“In a special way, Catholic Charities belongs to every Catholic within the Arlington Diocese,” said Luteran. “It must be close to each and every one of our hearts and never separated from the life of the Church.”
Luteran paid special tribute to the late James J. Matthews, a Catholic businessman and philanthropist, who was one of the driving forces behind the first Charities Ball. A little more than 400 guests attended that first event on June 11, 1982. The fist co-chairs were Mora Solano and Jane Goetzman.
Luteran announced the establishment of the James J. Matthews Legacy Award to acknowledge an individual or individuals who exhibit the drive, spirit and long-term commitment to Catholic Charities. This year’s recipients were Jim’s three daughters, Joan Matthews, Julie Matthews Howard and Janice Matthews Test, who have continued to share their father’s enthusiasm for the ball over the years.
The origin of Catholic Charities can be traced back to Richmond Bishop Peter L. Ireton who established Catholic Charities of Northern Virginia in 1947 to offer Children’s Services, which included crisis pregnancy counseling, adoption and foster care. Emergency assistance was added in 1948 to provide clients with food, clothing or help with utility bills. The agency began to offer Family Services in 1964. Christ House, an emergency shelter for the homeless, opened in Alexandria in 1973. It is scheduled to undergo extensive renovations later this year.
The agency was renamed Catholic Charities of the Arlington Diocese in 1974, reflecting the establishment of the new diocese. Prison ministry was added that same year. The St. Martin de Porres Senior Center opened its Alexandria doors in 1977. Parish social ministry became active in 1985, while services for the disabled were added in 1988.
The Fredericksburg district office opened in 1990, while Hogar Hispano became part of the agency in 1994. Parish-based offices opened at All Saints in Manassas in 1997 and Christ the Redeemer in Sterling in 2003.
The agency is undergoing a major transformation during this, its 60th anniversary year. Eliana Turina, associate director of community services for 27 years, retired in January. She has been replaced by Sally O’Dwyer. Terry Angelotti has been named the new CRS/CCHD coordinator. Ray Pisney is the new director of development and communications.
Michael J. O’Rourke, associate director of finance and administration for 12 years, recently left the agency to become executive director of the Arlington-Alexandria Coalition for the Homeless. The agency is still searching for his replacement.
For the first time diocesan Catholic schools were asked to participate in a fund-raising effort for Catholic Charities during the first week of Advent. A total of $14,493 was received, including $6,800 from Paul VI Catholic High School in Fairfax and $1,048 from Blessed Sacrament School in Alexandria.

Donations to Catholic Charities are tax deductible. Contributions can be made by check and mailed to Catholic Charities, 200 N. Glebe Rd., Suite 506, Arlington, Va. 22203. For more information call Ray Pisney, director of development, at 703/841-3836 or go to www.ccda.net.