Six Southern Tier parishioners have been honored with Works of Love awards for their social-ministry endeavors.
They were recognized at the annual Catholic Charities Parish Social Ministry Dinner, held June 11. The banquet took place at the Hill Top Inn in Elmira.
“Catholic Charities collaborates with parishes annually to recognize one parish social minister from each parish whose faith has led him or her to strive to live a consistent ethic of life, to serve the poor and vulnerable, to work to build God’s reign of love, mercy, justice and peace in our community and in the world,” said Kathy Dubel, justice-and-peace coordinator for Catholic Charities of Chemung/Schuyler. “Through his or her ministry, that person helps the parish live its social mission.”
The 2007 Works of Love honorees are:
Alice Manning, St. Mary’s Southside Parish, Elmira: Has coordinated for eight years the parish’s volunteer cooks who prepare and serve meals monthly at the Elmira Community Kitchen. Helps coordinate the annual parish Christmas Basket project. Provides leadership for a parish small Christian community and integrates social mission into these gatherings. She is a retired Elmira City School District office administrator.
Jackie Scarpi, Blessed Sacrament Parish (Ss. Peter and Paul/St. Anthony/St. Patrick), Elmira: Provides leadership for parish public-policy advocacy initiatives — current focus is on the 2007 Farm Bill — and helps coordinate the annual Christmas Basket and Baby Shower projects. Committed to developing her knowledge of Catholic social teaching so she can help the parish become more aware, she participates in all trainings offered by Catholic Charities.
Andra Benson, All Saints Parish, Lansing: Educates the parish regarding global justice and peace, especially fair-trade issues. Promotes support for Divine Chocolate, a Catholic Relief Services fair-trade initiative from Ghana. Organizes parish visits to Guatemala. Works to engage youths in social-justice and peace ministry. She is a dairy farmer; in addition to raising her children, she has been a foster mother to 85 children.
Tim Murphy, St. Casimir/St. Charles Borromeo/Our Lady of Lourdes cluster, Elmira: Serves as a member of the parish’s social-ministry committee and as liaison to the Chemung County Catholic Parish Social Ministry Network, convened by Catholic Charities. Briefs the parish social-ministry committee at each meeting on public-policy issues (recent examples include global climate change, the 2007 Farm Bill and immigration). Shares resources and ideas for action.
Marilyn Sbedico, St. Casimir/St. Charles Borromeo/Our Lady of Lourdes cluster, Elmira: Described by the parish as ready to help with all the social-ministry projects and initiatives. Coordinates the parish’s annual Thanksgiving Basket and Baby Shower projects. Serves as social-ministry liaison for the parish Altar and Rosary Society, facilitating collaboration on joint social-ministry projects. She is a retired educator.
Maureen Tuite, St. Casimir/St. Charles Borromeo/Our Lady of Lourdes cluster, Elmira: For five years has served as chair of the social-ministry committee for St. Casimir/St. Charles. Coordinated the parish’s Public Policy Weekend and other advocacy efforts. She is a nurse and also volunteers at Health Ministry of the Southern Tier, a free clinic for uninsured people.
