Diocesan Catholic Charities held its annual ball Feb. 10 at the Ritz-Carlton in Tysons Corner. More than 900 people came together to celebrate the work of Catholic Charities. The initial goal of $1.2 million was surpassed and $1.6 million was raised to support Catholic Charities ministries.
Last fiscal year, Catholic Charities helped more than 27,000 people, said Stephen Carattini, president and CEO. Among those helped were nearly 1,500 men, women and children who fled from Afghanistan. Carattini highlighted the story of one Afghan family that arrived in Northern Virginia early last year. Catholic Charities helped them find housing, enroll their kids in school and secure a job for the father, Mohammed. Soon after, Catholic Charities provided medical care to Mohammed and discovered he had terminal cancer. Mohammed shared with Carattini that his greatest fear was that his family would have no one to take care of them in his absence.
“Because of the generosity of so many in our diocese, because of your generosity, I was able to assure him that we would indeed take care of his family,” Carattini told attendees. “We at Catholic Charities are privileged to encounter people at some of the most vulnerable times in their lives and we are deeply blessed to be able to accompany (Mohammed’s family) on this part of their lives’ journey.”
Carattini concluded his speech saying, “It seems to me that we have all done good work so far but there remains much for us to do.”
Bishop Michael F. Burbidge thanked everyone in attendance and shared some brief remarks on how Catholic Charities radiates the Lord’s light.
“We radiate that light counseling women in crisis pregnancies, walking with them every step of the way,” said Bishop Burbidge. “We radiate that light when we welcome refugees from war torn countries from all around the world.”
Bishop Burbidge also took a moment to pray for the people of Turkey and Syria who were struck by two powerful earthquakes Feb. 6.
During the ball, a video highlighting Catholic Charities ministries was screened.
The James J. Matthews Legacy Award was bestowed on Barbara and Larry Caudle, parishioners of St. Francis de Sales Church in Kilmarnock. The Caudles were recognized for their work at St. Margaret of Cortona Transitional Housing, which offers help to single mothers in difficult circumstances. The Caudles helped with the startup of St. Margaret, which required a lot of cleaning and furnishing apartments. They also worked on the gardens and playground.
The Ghana Catholic Community received the Bishop Paul S. Loverde Legacy Award in recognition of their commitment to serving the poor. For more than 14 years, the community, which worships at Queen of Apostles Church in Alexandria, has helped the Christ House evening meal program. They have provided monthly evening meals and material donations for residents, and donated more than 17,000 pounds of food and hygiene items to the St. Lucy Food Project.
Read more:
Batista can be reached at [email protected].
