Leadership Awards were presented at the recent Catholic Charities Awards Dinner. Pictured from left are: Brian Cain, president, Catholic Charities; Jane Feller, chair of the Catholic Charities Board of Directors; Bishop Robert C. Morlino; Mel Bolser, wife of award recipient Steve Bolser; award recipient Donald Kreul; award recipient Lorraine Grell; and Joe Tisserand, vice chair of the Catholic Charities Board of Directors. (Photos by Michael Mowbray, Beautiful Portraits) |
MADISON — “Faith in Action” was the theme of the 13th annual Catholic Charities (CC) Awards Dinner held October 30 at the Marriott Madison West. Proceeds support CC programs for families and aging persons.
Jane Feller, chair of the CC Board of Directors, welcomed the guests, saying the Awards Dinner is an opportunity to highlight Catholic Charities’ mission, hear success stories, and recognize the agency’s work. “We also recognize our clients and volunteers. They are living examples of Catholic social teaching,” said Feller.
Bishop Robert C. Morlino led a meal prayer and said he would speak later in the program.
Brian Cain, CC president, introduced videos of the three President’s Award recipients, who are volunteers or clients with the agency. This year the honorees were: Sharon Mogensen, a volunteer with the Elder Mentor Program; Darlene Roundy, a client in the Community Living Program; and Jon Slinde, a client in the Supportive Living Program.
Joe Tisserand, vice chair of the CC Board of Directors, presented three Leadership Awards. Mel Bolser accepted the award for her husband, Steve Bolser, principal of Our Lady Queen of Peace School in Madison, who is recovering from brain cancer.
Also accepting Leadership Awards were Lorraine Grell, member of Christ the King Parish, McFarland, foster and adoptive parent for 42 years, and Donald Kreul, member of St. Peter Parish, Madison, an active volunteer in church and community activities.
In his remarks, Bishop Morlino thanked Cain and his staff for the “tremendous work” that they do in the Church’s mission of charity and as witnesses of Christ.
Catholic Charities recently presented its President’s Awards at their annual dinner. Seated is award recipient Darlene Roundy; standing from left are: award recipient Sharon Mogensen; Brian Cain, president, Catholic Charities; and award recipient Jon Slinde. |
“Catholic charity acknowledges the truth of the natural law,” the bishop said. “The truth of the natural law requires that no one of us can ever be treated as a means rather than an end. Every human being is sacred from conception to natural death. That is the foundation of Catholic charity and all charity.”
As Catholic leaders, the bishop said those present should be aware that the Freedom of Choice Act proposed in Congress “would remove every restriction on abortion” and “would turn back the clock on all the progress made in limiting or decreasing abortions.”
The bishop emphasized, “Any candidate who supports it (the Freedom of Choice Act) is not a viable candidate. There is no proportionate reason to vote for any candidate who supports it. That’s what the Holy Father teaches and that’s what I teach.”
He added, “I offer you the truth in love tonight.”