Catholic Charities' Spring Celebration

Last Thursday (5/10) I went to the Park Plaza Hotel in Boston to attend Catholic Charities' annual Spring Celebration.

My sister was visiting from Mexico, so I asked her to attend the gala with me.

They hold this dinner each year to support their work and to present their Justice and Compassion Award. The award is presented to persons who embody "the values of charity, compassion, and service to those in need; and who demonstrate, through actions and words, a shared commitment to building a just and compassionate society rooted in the dignity of all people."

This year's recipient was Barry Schrage who is the director of Combined Jewish Philanthropies.

Wake and Funeral in Washington

Friday (5/11), I went to Washington for the wake and funeral of one of our young Friars, Brother Saul Soriano who died very suddenly of an aneurysm.

It was a very sad moment for us. Brother Saul was a young man, full of promise, and he was a very gifted and beloved member of the community.

Catholic University luncheon

Since I was already in Washington, I had a chance to attend the luncheon following the commencement of the Catholic University of America which also took place on Saturday morning (5/12).

I particularly wanted to congratulate Maria Hamm who has been a prominent leader in the pro-life movement and was given an honorary doctorate at the commencement. Her family was very involved with me in my ministry at the Centro Catolico, so I have known her for many, many years.

Matignon High School gala

Monday (5/14), I was back in Boston and went to Matignon High School for their annual Tradition of Excellence Gala.

Matignon has a wonderful history. I believe it was the first high school that Cardinal Cushing started 70 years ago. The Sisters of St. Joseph, of course, were the original teachers and founders along with Cardinal Cushing. It was very significant that Sister Lee Hogan was there representing her community and gave the invocation.

During the evening I was presented with their Cardinal Cushing Service Award, and their Distinguished Alumni Award was presented to John Griffin of the class of 1961, who has been involved with the board and supporting the school for years.

Matignon's Green and Gold Legacy Award was presented posthumously to Corporal Donald Curtin, a young soldier who was killed in Vietnam, and his family was there to receive the award on his behalf. I was very pleased that the school still cherishes his memory and wanted to honor him.

It is a wonderful school that certainly continues to live up to its tradition of excellence.

Parish Service Week

Tuesday (5/15) I went to visit the employees from the Pastoral Center who were taking part in our annual Parish Service Week.

This year they were working at Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady of Good Counsel Churches of Holy Trinity Parish in Quincy, which is led by their pastor, Father Marty Dzengeleski.

A number of the employees from the Pastoral Center were there doing such work as planting and painting.

I even got a chance to use the leaf blower. I had never used a leaf blower before, and it was a lot of fun. They practically had to wrestle me to the ground to get it away from me afterwards!