February 2, 2017
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Allentown—which provided vital services for nearly 20,000 individuals and families last year throughout Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton, and Schuylkill Counties—will hold its Tenth Annual Gala with the goal of increasing fundraising for the less-fortunate in our communities.
The Gala, with the theme of Families Helping Families, will be held at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, March 5 at The DeSales University Center, Center Valley. The evening will feature live and silent auctions, a special appeal and presentations to the honorees.
New this year, the Gala will feature a special raffle. First prize is a three-year lease of a 2017 Toyota RAV4 LE, donated by Bennett Automotive Group. Second prize is two tickets to a Broadway show and door-to-door limousine service, donated by Corporate Limousine. Third prize is a Citizen Eco Drive Ladies watch set, donated by Kay Jewelers. Evelyn and Anthony Carfagno are this year’s Gala Chairpersons. Other committee members are: Sabina and Steve Olenchock, immediate past co-chairs; Patty and Paul Huck, Sister Janice Marie Johnson and Lina Barbieri.
This year’s Gala honorees are:
Msgr. Walter T. Scheaffer
Reverend Monsignor Walter T. Scheaffer was born in Middleport, PA. He grew up in Brockton and was a member of St. Bartholomew’s Parish. He graduated from Marian High School. He studied for the priesthood at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary and was ordained a priest on May 21, 1966 by the late Bishop Joseph McShea.
From 1966 to 1967, he was the Assistant Pastor at St. Paul’s Parish, Reading, as well as an Associate Professor at Reading Central catholic High School. In 1966, he was assigned as the Regional Director of Catholic Scouting in Berks County. From 1967 to 1973, he was a religion teacher as well as Director of Guidance at Allentown Central Catholic High School. While there, he studied at Lehigh University and earned a Masters of Education degree in Counseling.
In 1973, Msgr. Scheaffer was named Vice Principal of Holy Name High School, Reading. One year later he was named Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education in the Diocese of Allentown.
From 1979 to 1982, Msgr. served as Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Minersville. While there, he served on the Budget Board of Nativity B.V.M. High school. In June of 1980, he was named Regional Coordinator of CCD Adult Education in West Schuylkill County. In 1982, he became Pastor of Holy Ghost Parish in Bethlehem. In 1986, he was assigned to St. Mary’s Parish, Kutztown, where he has faithfully served for the past 30 years.
In 1983, he was assigned for a three-year term as a member of the Budget Board of Bethlehem Catholic High School. The following year, he was appointed as the elected representative for Berks County to the Advisory Committee for Priestly Life and Ministry. He was also assigned as the Pro-Life Coordinator for the Northampton Deanery. From 1984 to the present, he has served on the Diocesan Building Committee.
In 1993, it was announced that Pope John Paul II named him a Prelate of Honor of His Holiness with the title of Monsignor. From 1994 to 1998, he served a Vicar of Education for the Diocese. On September 29, 1997, he served as “Chaplain for the Day” to the Pennsylvania Senate and offered prayer at the opening session.
In 1988, Msgr. was named secretary of the Board of Directors of the Diocesan Catholic Social Agency (which later became Catholic Charities.) From 2000-2013, he served as President of the Board of Directors of Catholic Charities, and continues to be a board member. For many years, he has served on the Diocesan Priest Personnel Committee and on the Board for the Priests’ Retirement Villa in Bethlehem.
Anne Jaindl and Jaindl Family Farms
Anne Louise Jaindl, daughter of Anna (McBride) & Francis Fix, married Fred Jaindl in 1950. Anne graduated from Allentown Central Catholic High school in 1946 and was an honor student from Sacred Heart Hospital’s School of Nursing in Allentown, PA. After graduating Anne was a general duty nurse at Sacred Heart Hospital.
Together Anne and Fred raised eight children. At the time when Anne married Fred, Jaindl Farms was raising 50,000 turkeys and farming 200 acres. Today Jaindl Farms breeds, grows, processes and distributes over 750,000 birds annually in Orefield, PA and farms 10,000 acres of beautiful farmland owned by the Jaindl Family all across the Valley. Anne has 14 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Anne has played an active role in her community. She was a member of the Lehigh County Agricultural Society board, The Jaindl Family Foundation and the Lehigh Valley Health Development Committee at Lehigh Valley Hospital and a prior member of American Bank of the Lehigh Valley board and The Allentown Art Museum board.
Anne participated in the capital campaign for The Miracle League of the Lehigh Valley and continues to actively support The Miracle League along with many other local charities. Ann participated in providing an elevator at St. Catherine’s of Sienna Cathedral in 1984 allowing all who could not use the steps to attend church.
Anne is a member of St Joseph the Worker in Orefield and St Catherine’s of Sienna Cathedral in Allentown. She enjoys the study of architecture and the arts, gardening, reading and spending time with her family. One of Anne’s favorite activities is cooking turkey dinners with her entire clan being there to enjoy.
“We are thrilled to be honoring two distinguished leaders who, throughout their lives, have exemplified the mission of Catholic Charities in their community service," said Larry Johnson, Catholic Charities’ Interim Executive Director.
All proceeds from the Gala will support Catholic Charities programs and services in Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton, and Schuylkill counties. Services include: emergency food pantries, soup kitchens in Allentown, Reading and Pottsville, family counseling, employment and housing assistance, parenting and pregnancy support, immigration, Veteran services, support services for victims of human trafficking, infant adoption and support for older adults.
In addition to attending the gala, other ways to help fund the vital services provided by Catholic Charities include becoming a gala sponsor, purchasing an advertisement in the gala program book, purchasing raffle tickets, or making a direct gift to Catholic Charities.
To receive an invitation, please contact Julie Scheck, Catholic Charities Advancement Director, at 610-871-5200 ext. 216 or [email protected].
