"Life wasn't easy in the camp," he said. "Life in the camp was like a prison, but it was safer than going back to South Sudan."

At the age of 18, Sebit was given the opportunity to emigrate to the United States. Alone, he settled in Lynn and initially found many things overwhelming. Sebit recalled how, as fireworks erupted during New Year's Eve First Night celebrations, he heard the explosions and hid under his bed.

He also laughed at the memory of his first winter. "I did not go outside for one month. Not once," he exclaimed.

Things changed for him after he found the Catholic Charities office in Lynn. There, he was instructed in English, attended GED classes, got the necessary aide in order to obtain a green card and enrolled in college.

"I want you people to know that I will never take the blessings for granted," he continued. "My experiences have been tough, but as long as I have these opportunities that Catholic Charities has given me, I know I can do so much."

Following Sebit's talk, Catholic Charities president Deborah Kincade Rambo, presented Bill and Joyce Cummings with the 2016 Justice and Compassion Award for their extensive philanthropic contributions and their support of Catholic Charities' English for Speakers of Other Languages program.

Founders of the Cummings Foundation, one of the largest philanthropic organizations in New England, both Bill and Joyce Cummings remarked how "honored" they felt to receive the award.

"We are truly very thankful and very grateful," Bill Cummings said. He urged those in attendance to "forget about the old idea of 'giving until it hurts' and start giving until it feels good."

The evening concluded with remarks from Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley, who noted that Pope Francis often says "we are here on this planet to help one another."

That's the mission of the Church -- we are a field hospital for those in need," he said. "I am so proud of the work that being done by Catholic Charities and by the many people who, like Bill and Joyce are the kind of people who want to help other people."

"This is what Catholic Charities is about -- taking care of each other," the cardinal said.