SHARE
The Catholic Daughters of Saint Joseph Church in Sea Isle City shown during their annual Christmas Cookie Sale in 2019. (Photo courtesy Katherine Custer)
The Catholic Daughters of Saint Joseph Church in Sea Isle City shown during their annual Christmas Cookie Sale in 2019.

Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Camden recently announced that the Catholic Daughters of Saint Joseph Church (Court Our Lady of Mercy No. 1655) will be honored as “Disciples of Mercy” on Oct. 8.

Each year, Disciples of Mercy awards are presented to individuals or groups who exemplify mercy by reaching out to those who are poor and vulnerable. Award recipients must be active members of a parish community who are not employed by the parish or diocese.

Additionally, they must be engaged in a bold, creative and effective ministry that’s rooted in the mercy of Jesus Christ and includes personal contact with those who are poor and vulnerable.

“As the new pastor of Saint Joseph Church, early on I became aware of all the good work that our Catholic Daughters perform,” said Rev. Perry Cherubini. “Since arriving in Sea Isle City a few months ago, I have had the pleasure to meet many of the parish’s Catholic Daughters, and I look forward to working closely with them in the years ahead. I am so happy that they have been recognized by the Diocese of Camden for all of the good work they have been doing. This honor is well-deserved.”

“The women in our group are incredibly faith-filled, and they have no problem jumping headfirst into projects or concepts that help others,” said Court Our Lady of Mercy Regent Anne “Chick” Flora. “No matter where there is a need – feeding hungry people, helping the homeless, or even making sure the kids at Covenant House have clothes for job interviews – our ladies are ready and waiting at any moment to reach out to others. We truly feel that we are doing God’s work.”

“The Catholic Daughters of America have a tremendous mission of promoting justice, equality, human rights, and human dignity,” said Kevin Hickey, Executive Director of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Camden. “Catholic Charities agencies across the United States have been beneficiaries of the Catholic Daughters’ tremendous spirit of collaboration and generosity. We thank the Catholic Daughters of America for all their good works, and for their example of service and spirituality.”

“This is such a tremendous honor, and we are so grateful to the Diocese of Camden and Catholic Charities,” added Flora.

Traditionally, Disciples of Mercy award recipients are honored during the Diocese’s annual Justice for All Awards Ceremony.

However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Diocese will instead host a virtual ceremony at 6 p.m. on Oct. 8, during which pre-recorded video footage and photos of the winners will be displayed.

To view the virtual Justice for All Awards Ceremony and learn more about the 2020 Disciples of Mercy honorees, visit https://catholiccharitiescamden.org/jfa2020/

To learn more about the Catholic Daughters of Saint Joseph Church, please go to https://www.stjosephsic.org.