The Catholic Commission of Summit County celebrated those who work for the common good at the 41st annual Bishop William Cosgrove Justice Dinner on Nov. 15 at Tangier in Akron.
“The Catholic Church’s Social Teaching – ‘the seamless garment of respect for life from conception to natural death’ – has many colors and textures, tatters and tears that need mending,” said Judy DiNardo, of Holy Family Parish in Stow. DiNardo serves as commission chair.
RAHAB Ministries, Inc., which works in the Akron and Summit County region to share hope and healing with women and children traumatized by human trafficking, received the Cosgrove Justice Award.
Judi Hill, a civic leader, president of the Akron NAACP and educator in Summit County, received the Bishop Pilla Leadership Award.
Catholic Charities Camp Christopher was presented with the Laudato Si/Care for God’s Creation Award for its environmental programming, staffing, land stewardship and care for creation public events.
And two high school students -- Angie Rosio Morales-Perez and Alexis Smith – were honored with Youth Justice Awards. Angie, a senior at Akron North High School, is a youth advocate member of Akron Interfaith Immigration Advocates. Alexis, a senior at Archbishop Hoban High School, is involved with Hoban’s homeless outreach project and in homeless advocacy.
“We are honoring disciples of social justice,” said Bishop Nelson Perez. “You can’t have one without the other in the Christian world. You can’t gather around the table of the altar without helping the needy. We have no choice as Christians.”
The work of social justice often comes with some measure of controversy, the bishop said, but it is worth the price to do the work of charity.
“As disciples, we must deal with those in need. Christians always have been doing the work of justice – serving the poor. Jesus told us the poor will always be with us,” the bishop added.
DiNardo also thanked Bishop Perez for his recent statement in support of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, also known as DACA. Federal authorities are seeking an end to the program for young people who were brought to the United States by their parents without proper documentation – provided they meet certain requirements and register. Although the program does not provide them with a path to citizenship, they can obtain work permits.
“The bishop said that if DACA ends, families could be torn apart and it would adversely affect the economy,” DiNardo said.
Jeff Campbell, director of the Catholic Commission of Summit County, shared some of the commission’s accomplishments, including engaging with the Akron Summit County Reinvestment Coalition; supporting the First Friday Club of Greater Akron; pursuing opportunities to help low-income residents, those released from jail and immigrants and refugees in need of assistance; collaborating with advocacy and solidarity programs; participating in the diocesan border immigration delegation to Texas and Mexico; partnering on racial inclusion and racial equity work locally; encouraging parish and community Care for God’s Creation events and efforts; participating in the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Catholic social ministry gathering in Washington, D.C. and many more.
Bishop Perez said he has been criticized at times “for being political. These things are not political. They are a case for justice," he said.
The dinner also was a fundraiser for the commission. Attendees had an opportunity to bid on dozens of silent auction items including gift certificates, sports items, religious items, jewelry, prints, fair trade items and more.
The Catholic Commission of Summit County operates under diocesan Social Action Office, which is part of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland. For more information, click HERE.