JOLIET—The Diocese of Rockford Catholic Charities was among four Catholic Charities organizations honored by Presence Health, a Catholic health system, with its 2016 annual INSPIRE Award.
Also honored were Catholic Charities from the Archdiocese of Chicago, the Diocese of Joliet and the Diocese of Peoria.
The Presence Health INSPIRE Award honors leaders or organizations that seek to transform communities across Illinois while exemplifying the values that inspire Presence Health’s commitment to community service.
More than 175 people attended a ceremony at Presence St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet on June 28, where award winners were recognized by Michael Englehart, president and CEO of Presence Health.
Englehart cited them for their dedication and compassionate services that strengthen and support individuals, families and communities while honoring the dignity of human life.
“These Catholic Charities organizations are dedicated to making life better for people who are very much in need,” said Dougal Hewitt, Presence Health Chief Officer for Mission.
“We are honored to recognize and partner in bringing healing and hope to the communities we serve,” Hewitt added.
Patrick J. Winn, diocesan director of Catholic Charities, accepted the honor for the Rockford Diocese.
“Pope Benedict XVI said that Catholic Charities is not just any social service organization,” said Winn.
“There is a certain depth of mission.
“Our staff inspires,” he added, “as they are on the frontline being served and serving God and others by partnering with our hospitals, parishes and communities.”
Winn explained Rockford Diocese Catholic Charities offers a wide scope of services to more than 100,000 people. They include, throughout the diocese:
�–� Adolescent outreach for teens pregnant and parenting,
�–� Adoption services,
�–� Counseling,
�–� Pregnancy and parenting, emergency assistance,
�–� Immigration services,
�–� Long-term care ombudsman, and
�–� Refugee resettlement.
Additionally, they operate St. Elizabeth Catholic Community Center in Rockford.
Winn also shared a quote from the late U.S. Vice President Hubert Humphrey’s wife, Muriel, which brought a laugh to the crowd: “ ‘Hubert, a speech doesn’t have to be eternal to be immortal.’ ”
A short video highlighted individuals and organizations touched by Catholic Charities to build stronger families, empower youth, provide healing and wellness, and develop strong parish partnerships.
In addition to the Presence Health INSPIRE Award, the 12 Presence Health ministries recognized an individual or organization in their own communities.
In Diocese of Rockford, there were three recipients:
�–� Hesed House in Aurora was honored by Presence Mercy Medical Center in Aurora. Hesed House is the largest homeless shelter outside of Chicago and a national model for ending homelessness.
�–� United Way of Elgin was honored by Presence St. Joseph Hospital in Elgin. The United Way of Elgin focuses on education, financial stability and health to improve life.
�–� Christopher Greenwood, community health and prevention coordinator from Rockford Human Services, serving in Rockford and Freeport, was honored by Presence Life Connections in Rockford. Community Health and Prevention provides, for example, a summer food program at various locations, including St. Elizabeth Catholic Community Center.
Presence Health ministries include more than 150 locations in Illinois, including 11 hospitals and 27 long-term care and senior living facilities.
Its five founding organizations of Catholic religious women are the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, the Servants of the Holy Heart of Mary, the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart, the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, and the Sisters of the Resurrection.