By TAMI QUIGLEY Staff writer
“What do we do at Catholic Charities? Whatever we can for whoever we can,” Thomas Miller told the more than 50 people at the Northampton County Angel Society Gathering Oct. 10 at the home of Ray and Teri Bishop, Nazareth.
Bishop Alfred Schlert attended the event hosted by the Bishops, parishioners of Notre Dame of Bethlehem. The evening centered on celebrating the impact of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Allentown in Northampton County, and invited attendees to become involved through the agency’s Angel Society.
Catholic Charities’ Angel Society was established in 2013 by a group of lead donors to address growing need. Since that year, more than 120 generous donors have joined the giving society, contributing more than $700,000 and increasing the number of people helped by Catholic Charities.
Ray Bishop welcomed everyone attending. Teri Bishop is a Catholic Charities board member.
In addition to Bishop Schlert, others addressing those gathered for the festive soiree were Diane Bullard, Diocesan Secretary for Catholic Human Services and executive director of Catholic Charities; Terry Novatnack, retired from PPL Electric, Angel Society co-chair and Catholic Charities board member; Miller, counselor and caseworker, Pregnancy and Parenting Support Services, Catholic Charities; and Julie Scheck, advancement director of Catholic Charities.
Those attending included Paul Acampora, Diocesan Secretary for Stewardship and Development; and Robert Nicolella, county administrator of Catholic Charities’ Lehigh-Northampton office, and county supervisor of the Berks and Schuylkill-Carbon offices.
Bishop Schlert
Welcoming those attending, Bishop Schlert also thanked the Bishops for their hospitality. “I want to thank the real Bishops of the Diocese – they had the name first.”
“This is a great event. You hear snippets of the good work done every day by our Roman Catholic community,” Bishop Schlert said, underscoring that Catholic Charities helps those in need of all faiths “not because they’re Catholic, but because we’re Catholic.”
“These are dark times in the Church that show our flaws … and we have to help those who were hurt,” Bishop Schlert said. “But we can still recognize the good work done every day in the Church.”
“This is something you can be proud of,” Bishop Schlert said of the Angel Society. “I’m glad you came tonight to support it.”
Diane Bullard
As Bullard expressed Catholic Charities’ gratitude to members of the Angel Society, she said, “Thank you on behalf of the 78-year-old-woman on oxygen with an income of $400 a month. Thank you on behalf of the two month old baby boy whose only home known to him is a homeless shelter.”
After describing some real clients such as these, Bullard said, “These are the people you’re helping with your support. Thank you for supporting our mission.”
Terry Novatnack
Discussing the Angel Society, Novatnack said of the 16,193 people in five counties who benefitted from Catholic Charities’ services in 2017, many would not have received what they needed without Catholic Charities.
“Without the generous support of folks in the Diocese, Catholic Charities wouldn’t have the funds to help them,” Novatnack said. He explained 31 percent of Catholic Charities’ funds come from government grants and reimbursement from insurance companies. The remaining 69 percent of funds is raised.
“We are good stewards of your money – less than 10 percent goes to administration,” Novatnack said, adding administrators are also an important part of the team.
Thomas Miller
Miller, who offered the brief presentation “What I See,” recalled that two years ago he was looking for a new job, and knew instantly the position at Catholic Charities was the job for him.
Miller is a mental health counselor helping families and couples, and often receives referrals from pastors. He’s also been more active in Diocesan high schools in the past year.
“Having no diapers is a surface problem,” he said. “When you get to know someone you see the underlying problem.
“I feel like when I meet with a high school student or a young couple, they’re family is affected – it’s a ripple effect.”
Reflecting on the number of people the agency serves, Miller said, “I’m fortunate because I get to put names, faces and stories with the number of people we serve.”
Julie Scheck
Scheck, who is charged with raising funds for Catholic Charities, said very often people say they don’t know how she does it, as they could never ask people for money.
“I look at it as a privilege to raise money to get this work done,” Scheck said, asking those attending to pray for Catholic Charities’ clients.
“Thank you to all the angels,” Scheck said, explaining that members must donate $1,000 or more. “If any of you are inspired to make a gift, please see me.
“Thank you all for being here, giving us your time and prayers.”
Catholic Charities – which serves individuals of all faiths – helped 16,193 people in 2017, including older adults in need of support services; veterans in need of job training and guidance in finding benefits; individuals and families in need of counseling; the homeless and hungry in need of a nutritious meal; and pregnant women in need of direction and support.
In 2017 Catholic Charities helped 44 families with adoption services, including: records search and reunion; rescued or prevented 134 veterans from homelessness; 426 people attended events at the Chew Street Community Center; eight babies were saved from abortion; assisted 35 people to become U.S. citizens; 37 elderly and/or disabled adults received daily care through Holy Family Adult Day Care; and helped 329 families to stay in their homes through rent and mortgage assistance.
Also: 34 percent of the people helped by the agency were young children or older adults; 312 households received mental health counseling to help with trauma, family changes and crisis; 138 families received parenting help and support; served lunch 312 times and dinner 208 times at Catholic Charities soup kitchens; and 1,468 families received financial help with a crisis.
Catholic Charities provides these services: strengthening families case management; counseling; housing services; soup kitchens, veterans support services, immigration services, pregnancy and parenting support; services for older adults, services for survivors of human trafficking, food pantries, adult day care and infant adoption.
By becoming a member of the Angel Society, members help strengthen families and show mercy and compassion to the most vulnerable in our community.
For more information about the Angel Society, contact Scheck at 610-871-5200, ext. 2216 or [email protected].
