Four Boston Catholics to be Honored by RENEW International

April 27, 2010 - PRLog -- RENEW International, a Catholic not-for-profit organization based in Plainfield, New Jersey, will hold its eleventh annual fundraising gala on June 3, 2010 at the Pleasantdale Chateau, West Orange, NJ. Sr. Terry Rickard, O.P., RENEW International’s President and Executive Director, will present The President’s Award  to four notable Catholics who have played a significant role in the Archdiocese of Boston’s recent renewal effort called ARISE Together in Christ, in collaboration with RENEW International.

RENEW International’s gala raises funds each year to support the organization’s mission of building dynamic communities of faith. The President’s Award is given to those who, through their actions and support, have advanced RENEW International’s mission of evangelization, spiritual renewal, and faith formation and played a significant role in bringing those efforts to individuals, parishes, and dioceses throughout the world.

Sr. Terry Rickard commented, “When we look at the new vitality that ARISE Together in Christ has brought to so many parishes and people in the Archdiocese of Boston, we are truly blessed to recognize these four exemplary individuals. They are models of Catholic commitment in Boston and beyond, with a level of dedication that is exceptional.”

Fr. William (Bill) Williams recognized RENEW’s processes as a powerful way of growing parish life. His zeal and enthusiasm enabled his parish to be the first in Boston to participate in a small group faith-sharing process. Fr. Bill has been a Boston priest for 40 years, serving six parishes. He has served at St. Mary’s of the Assumption Parish in Dedham for the past three years and has recently been assigned to move to St. Peter’s Parish in Plymouth.

Mr. John A. McNeice, Jr.’s  generosity and dedication to the Church led to his involvement in ARISE Together in Christ. He serves on the Catholic Schools Foundation’s Inner-City Scholarship Fund Executive Council; Archdiocesan Finance Council and Stewardship Committee; and is past-president of Catholic Charities. John is the retired chairman and chief executive officer of The Colonial Group, Inc. John and his wife, Margarete, continue to support many Catholic organizations in the Greater Boston area and beyond.

Dr. Patricia M. Dinneen was instrumental in collaborating with RENEW to organize the 2009 Social Justice Convocation in Boston. She received her M.S. and Ph.D. in Economics. Throughout her career in emerging markets, she has been motivated by a desire to reduce world poverty and create greater equity of wealth. Pat serves on the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council of Boston and has established a Social Justice Committee to promote Catholic Social Teaching. Pat and her husband, Dr. John J. Mooney, are active parishioners at St. Peter Parish in Cambridge, MA.

Ms. Mary Ann McLaughlin coordinates all aspects of ARISE Together in Christ in the Archdiocese of Boston. She is the Co-Director of the Archdiocesan Office of Worship and Spiritual Life and former Lay Director of the Archdiocesan Cursillo Movement. Mary Ann holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Boston College and a Master’s degree in Christian Spirituality from Creighton University. She is a former teacher and published author. Mary Ann and her husband, Tom, have six children and eleven grandchildren. They are members of Our Lady Help of Christians Parish in Newton, MA.

These awards will be presented as part of RENEW’s gala reception, auction, and dinner at the elegant Pleasantdale Chateau, West Orange, NJ. Beginning with cocktails at 6 P.M., guests will have the opportunity to explore the exquisite landscaped grounds and graciously decorated rooms of this French Norman-style former family residence, built in the 1920s. The dinner will begin at 8 P.M. in the spectacular circular ballroom and will feature dancing to the music of Fortune Entertainment. Throughout the evening, guests will be able to bid for luxury items, event tickets, and trips as part of the Silent Auction.

Those who are interested in supporting RENEW International’s mission can attend the event, place a journal ad, make a donation, or donate an auction item. For more information, please contact Margarita Morales at (908) 769-5400 x140 or margaritam@renewintl.org or visit www.renewintl.org/gala.

About ARISE Together in Christ
ARISE Together in Christ is RENEW International’s newest pastoral renewal service, developed in collaboration with Cardinal Seán O’Malley and the Archdiocese of Boston’s Office of Worship and Spiritual Life. As the spiritual centerpiece of the Archdiocese’s recent bicentennial, the process has proved true to its title “Together in Christ.” It is building bridges between merged parishes, connecting diverse ethnic communities, and forging deeper relationships among parish members, young and old. Throughout the Archdiocese, more than 30,000 people participate across 180 parishes, employing materials developed in six languages. Other dioceses, including the Diocese of Stockton in California, will be adopting the ARISE process in the near future.

About RENEW International
RENEW International is a Catholic organization based in Plainfield, NJ, in the Archdiocese of Newark. RENEW International fosters spiritual renewal in the Catholic tradition by empowering individuals and communities to encounter God in everyday life, deepen and share faith, and connect faith with action. RENEW International has a 30-year record in revitalizing parish life in over 150 dioceses in the United States, touching the lives of 25 million people through its renewal processes. RENEW International also reaches many thousands outside the United States, having served people in 23 countries, across six continents and in 44 languages. Its web site is www.renewintl.org.

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A Catholic ministry organization that provides pastoral services and spiritual resources to parishes, campuses, and individuals in the U.S. and abroad to create dynamic communities of faith and gospel action.