Contact:             

Lindsay Hansen

Catholic Charities

480.205.6195

lhansen@cc-az.org

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Oct. 31, 2007)… Tricia Hoyt, director of Catholic Charities’ Office of Peace and Justice, announced the third annual Bishop Edward A. McCarthy Awards luncheon will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 6 at the Diocesan Pastoral Center, located at 400 E. Monroe St. in Phoenix.  Bishop Thomas Olmsted will preside over the awards ceremony.

“We are very proud to honor these men and women who have done so much to protect and empower the poor and vulnerable members of our community,” said Hoyt. “They exemplify the values that the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) stands for, and inspire all of us to operate with grace in our lives and our ministry.”

Bishop McCarthy was the first Bishop of Phoenix. These awards are given to Catholics who embody McCarthy’s commitment to social justice and respect for people of all races, conditions and ages. They honor those whose work and ministry enhance awareness of the Church’s social teaching and the CCHD, especially where they raise awareness of the need to advocate for the poor and disenfranchised. 

2007 Bishop Edward A. McCarthy Award category winners include:

• Excellence in Preaching Award: Rev. Ray Ritari, pastor, St. Matthew Parish

• Excellence in Social Justice Education Award: Timothy Broyles, Brophy College Preparatory

• Campus Ministry/Youth Award: Richard Browner, Bourgade Catholic High School

• Community Mobilization Award: Linda Martinez, Northern AZ Interfaith Council

• Lifetime Achievement Award: Bonnie Danoswki, volunteer, social justice ministry, Franciscan Renewal Center

• Parish Social Ministry Award: Debbie DiCarlo, St. Paul Parish coordinator of Sacraments and Outreach
• Human Life and Dignity Award: Rev. Valentine L. Boyle, O. Carm

About Bishop McCarthy Awards

The CCHD is the domestic anti-poverty, social justice program of the U.S. Catholic bishops. Its mission is to address the root causes of poverty in America through promotion and support of community-controlled, self-help organizations and through transformative education.

Locally, Catholic Charities’ Office of Peace and Justice begins the CCHD annual collection season with a luncheon to honor members of the community for their contributions in the area of social justice.  Nominations for the Bishop McCarthy Awards come from community and church leaders throughout the state.  National and local grant recipients are committed to ending poverty and transforming lives and communities from powerlessness to self-reliance, self-sufficiency and self-determination.

Bishop McCarthy, later Archbishop of Miami, was a prolific author of pastoral letters and an advocate for activism by the laity, urging assistance to refugees and other people in need.  While Archbishop of Miami, he stressed the need for lay Catholics to make a difference in the world, established a home for the homeless with AIDS, and he challenged presidential administrations on their treatment of refugees from Haiti and Cuba. 

About Catholic Charities

Founded in 1933, Catholic Charities Community Services is one of Arizona’s oldest and largest nonprofit organizations which offers a diverse range of social services that strengthen families, protect and nurture children, and support people in crisis.  Catholic Charities serves people of all ages and faiths.  Last year, the charitable organization provided over 50 programs at 100 locations to more than 200,000 people in central and northern Arizona.  Catholic Charities is a member organization of Catholic Charities USA which is the largest private network of social service organizations in the United States working to support families, reduce poverty, and build communities.  The organization is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Children and Family Services.  To learn more about Catholic Charities visit www.catholiccharitiesaz.org.

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