Just a short month away, on Monday, April 18, the region will focus its attention on the 26.2 mile Boston Marathon. Stretching from Hopkinton to Copley Square, this year marks the 120th running of the country's oldest marathon.

As in years past, Catholic Charities has a small but dedicated team of "charity runners" thanks to the John Hancock Financial Services Marathon Non-Profit Sponsorship Program #runbold which creates the opportunity for "everyday athletes, many of whom are connected to extraordinary causes, to the same road as elite, world-class athletes."

Members of our team have committed to fundraising for Catholic Charities, a minimum of $7,500 each, in exchange for the opportunity to run the marathon. This a sizable, generous commitment of time and energy beyond all the actual training time required for this grueling race.

In addition to their dedication to training for the race itself, our runners share a deep devotion to the work of Catholic Charities.

Father Michael, is a Catholic priest from Connecticut who will run his 18th marathon this April, his first Boston Marathon. Father Michael has shared that the work we do motivates him to go above and beyond his fundraising goal. Father Michael told us how effortless fundraising for Catholic Charities is for him: "Family and friends support my goals because they trust me and know that (their) resources are going to a worthy cause, Catholic Charities, who helps so many people in need."

Runner Steve Scala is excited to be competing in the same event and on the same course as the world's elite marathoners. He views this marathon as a microcosm of the world that we live in, explaining "We all run the same course; some have various gifts, talents or unique capabilities while others are burdened by obstacles and challenges."

Garret Quinn and Jennifer Henshall are each competing in the Boston Marathon for their first time. Both are thrilled to have the opportunity to run Boston, and are driven by their passion for giving back to others. Another first-timer, Boston native Mary Kate Henry is looking forward to the atmosphere of race day. She's eager to line up with the other runners at the Athletes' Village on the morning of the big race. Growing up in a close knit family, Mary Kate learned to show mercy and compassion to others. She is grateful for the opportunity to pay it forward by racing to raise money for Catholic Charities.

Rounding out our team of six is Margie Walentuk, who knows our work well from her time spent as a Catholic Charities volunteer; an extension of her professional commitment to provide compassionate mental health services to those in need. In addition to her work, Margie enjoys the love of her family, running, and managing her homemade granola bar company, Marge Bar.

The team's goal is to raise $75,000 for Catholic Charities, 100 percent of which will go towards our programs serving children and families as we help to move people along the path to self-sufficiency.

Please join us in supporting our Boston Marathon team today by making a donation on our John Hancock Non Profit Marathon Team's page on Crowdrise.com. We thank our Boston Marathon runners for their commitment to Catholic Charities where #mercyrunsdeep and wish them the best as they journey toward the finish line on Marathon Monday.

To learn more about the work of Catholic Charities go ccab.org. You can also find us on facebook.com/charitiesboston on Twitter @charitiesboston and on Instagram @charitiesboston.

DEBORAH KINCADE RAMBO IS PRESIDENT OF CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF BOSTON.



- Deborah Kincade Rambo is president of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Boston.