Organizations to receive awards for social justice

Homefront, Inc., the Connecticut Network to Abolish the Death Penalty, St. Ann's Soup Kitchen and Emergency Food Pantry, and an individual standout will be recognized at the 44^th Annual Social Justice Dinner to be held at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 23, at the Aqua Turf in Plantsville. 

The reception, hosted by the Office for Catholic Social Justice, honors organizations that have made outstanding contributions to improve the lives of people in the Archdiocese of Hartford. Archbishop Henry J. Mansell will be present to acknowledge the following organizations and one individual as they receive The Most Rev. Joseph F. Donnelly Memorial Award for their service in special categories, and their commitment in ministry to the principles of Catholic social teaching:  

Homefront, Inc. will be honored with the Organization Award for 25 years of offering both assistance to poor and disabled homeowners in Hartford, New Haven and Fairfield Counties, and for providing meaningful service opportunities to hundreds of volunteers. 

Connecticut Network to Abolish the Death Penalty will be presented with another Organization Award for its commitment to educate the community and to advocate for the repeal of the death penalty in Connecticut. Its hard work and efforts paid off in April 2012 when Connecticut became the 17th state in the nation, and the 5^th state in five years to repeal the death penalty. 

Ms. Migdalia Almedina, from Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Hartford, will receive the Individual Award for her on-going commitment to Parish Social Ministry and her tireless efforts on behalf of the poor. 

Established in 2011 in honor of Charlie Schlegel, one of the founding members of the Cooperative Parish Sharing Committee, the Dr. Charlie Schlegel Award will be presented to St. Ann's Soup Kitchen and Emergency Food Pantry in Hamden for their CPS-supported project of providing hot meals and food assistance to thousands of individuals and families over a span of more than 20 years. 

Dr. Meghan Clark, Assistant Professor of Theology and Religious Studies at St. John's University and lay consultant to the Domestic Justice and Human Development Committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, will be the guest speaker. She will discuss the relationship between charity and the work to advocate for the needs of the poor in a presentation entitled, "Charity Embraces Justice: Benedict XVI and St. Vincent de Paul."  

For tickets to attend the dinner and celebrate the inspirational accomplishments of these community leaders, call the Office for Catholic Social Justice Ministry at (203) 777-7279 or contact Linda Roberto at lroberto@catholicsocialjustice.org . Tickets are $70 each, or $650 for a table of ten. Parishes and individuals are also invited to purchase an ad in the Program Booklet to recognize the award winners.