Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament 2024 Gala Program Book

2024 SBS GALA

The Spirit of Peace AND ST. KATHARINE DREXEL

NATIONAL JUSTICE AWARD

PRESENTATION

SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 2024

THE BUCK HOTEL

The Spirit of Peace

Our theme this year is the Spirit of Peace. On this special day, we come together to celebrate healing, community, and peace.

By joining us, you are helping to ensure that our ministries in education, social services, health care, and parish and pastoral ministries continue the mission of St. Katharine Drexel and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament.

SBS Mission Statement

Guided by the spirit of Katharine Drexel, we are called to share the gospel message with the poor, especially among the Black and Native American peoples and to challenge all forms of racism as well as the other deeply rooted injustices in the world today.

Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament Leadership

Sr. Stephanie Henry, SBS President

Sr. Theresa Chato, SBS Vice President

Sr. Judith Franz, SBS Councilor

Sr. Faith Okerson, SBS Councilor

2024 Gala Committee

Susan Coyle

Liz Crum

Sr. Pat Downs

Sr. Carole Eden

Robert Gutherman

Joyce Hadley

Denise Kirk

Sr. Faith Okerson

Cecilia Lites

Margie Micaletti

Gala Itinerary

3:00 PM

Cocktails & Hors D’oeuvres

Money Raffle, Money Tree, and Gift Card Basket Sales

4:00 PM

Welcome - Sr. Stephanie Henry, SBS President

Blessing - Msgr. Kenneth P. McAteer, Pastor Emeritus, Saint Ephrem Parish, Bensalem

4:15 PM

Dinner Buffet Opens - Guests will be Called 50/50 Money Raffle Sales

4:45 PM

Presentation of St. Katharine Drexel National Justice Award 2024

5:00 PM

Music, Dancing, and Conversation Dessert

6:30 PM

Closing Remarks - Sr. Stephanie Henry, SBS Raffle Winners Announced Last Call at the Bar

7:00 PM

Have a safe drive home! Thank you for making Gala 2024 a wonderful evening.

Gala 2024 Sponsors

Guardian Angel

$5,000 - $9,999

Morgan-Panditaratne Family

In memory of William Walter Ryan

Richard & Mary Dowd

St. Katharine Drexel Parish Mechanicsburg, PA

Seraphim

$2,500 - $4,999

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas & Marilyn Sweeney

Cherubim

$1,000 - $2,499

Glenmede Investment Management

Knights of Columbus Pius XII Council 4765

Sarah McCarthy

O’Connor Family Foundation

Paul’s Run

WCM Investment Management

WSFS Bank

Zevin Asset Management

Gala 2024 Sponsors

Thrones

$500 - $999

Bensalem Township

Dr. & Mrs. F. Martin Foy

Father Paul Jaroszeski

Knights of Columbus Council No. 3434

Oppenheimer Investment Mgmt

Republic Bank

The Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia

In Memory of Allen J. Boutte

1/19/46 - 4/5/24

Dominion

$250 - $499

Assumption BVM Parish

Feasterville, PA

St. Katharine Drexel Parish Roxbury, MA

Mayor Joseph DiGirolamo

Christine N. Thomas

Gary and Kathy Scott

We gratefully acknowledge our sponsors who have generously partnered with us, and kindly ask you to show your support to them!

Saint Katharine Drexel

National Justice Award

Congratulations to our 2024 Recipient

Sr. Marie-Therese Browne, SCN

Former Award Recipients

2006 - Bishop J. Terry Steib, STV, DD

2007 - Regina Benjamin, MD, MBA & Wendell Young III

2008 - Tom McCarthy & Very Rev. Larry C. Dunham, OFM

2009 - Dr. Norman Francis

2010 - Sr. Kateri Mitchell, SSS

2011 - Sr. Sandra Smithson, OSF

2012 - Sr. Mary Scullion, RSM

2013 - Lou Baldwin

2014 - Franciscan Volunteer Ministry

2015 - Carmen Bermudez

2016 - Rev. Wayne Passe

2017 - Anne Hoppenot

2018 - Sr. Patricia Daly, OP

2019 - The Connelly Foundation

2021 - Kathleen Bowman

2022 - St. Joseph’s Society of the Sacred Heart (Josephites)

2023 - Valerie D. Lewis-Mosley, RN

Criteria for Saint Katharine Drexel National Justice Award

In recognition of the gift of shared responsibility, outlined in our Mission Statement on Page 2, the Saint Katharine Drexel National Justice Award was conceived as a call for all to share the Gospel message and challenge deeply rooted injustices in the world.

The recipient(s) must be:

• Living a religious life infused with deep religious and moral values

• Supportive of cultural and social equality among all peoples

• Concerned for the poor, the unchurched, and the alienated

• Appreciative of the variety and values in racial and cultural heritages

• Willing to do whatever is possible to bring about a better world of peace and justice for all

2024 Social Justice Committee

Deacon Randy Bauer

Sr. Laura Cavanaugh

Sr. Pat Downs

Linda Duhon-LaCour

Martha Horton

Margie Groot

Joyce Hadley

Stella Kulp

Sr. Geraldine Mikulec

Sr. Faith Okerson

Sr. Pat Rogan

Gary Scott

Kathy Scott

Madelyn Tymes

Ernest Tymes

Hilda Wiltz

2024 SKD National Justice Award Committee

Sr. Pat Downs

Joyce Hadley

Martha Horton

Stella Kulp

Hilda Wiltz

Sr. Marie-Therese Browne, SCN

Sr. Marie-Therese “Tess” Browne, is a Sister of Charity of Nazareth. A native of Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Sister is a U.S. citizen. As an active parishioner of St. Katharine Drexel Parish in Boston, Massachusetts, she is the co-chair of the parish Social Justice Committee. Sister is also a teacher, community organizer and social justice advocate. Sister lives out charity rooted in justice, care for the earth, and in solidarity with oppressed and marginalized persons, especially women and children. While holding several degrees (including a Masters from UMass Boston College of Community and Public Services), Sister Tess is also a Merrill Fellow of Harvard Divinity School. She has a long history with the United Farm Workers and is a member of the National Black Sisters Conference. Sister’s life gives witness to a total dedication and involvement with social justice concerns.

Sister Tess embraces the reality:

“God is good all the time, and all the time, God is good.”

SBS Ministries - Walking in the Footsteps of St. Katharine Drexel

For the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, it is a life-long commitment, a “total gift of self.” God calls us to be charitable people actively seeking to end social injustices. It takes supporters like you for us to continue our mission and to bring St. Katharine’s vision to life.

Community Outreach | Counseling | Education | Companions on a Faith Journey Blog | Evangelization | Scholarships | Tutoring | Fighting for Social Justice | Missionary Work | Pastoral Ministry | Social Services | Spiritual Ministry | Wellness Programs

“My children, our love is not just to be words or mere talk, but something real and active.”

-St. Katharine Drexel

Prize Donors

The family of Sr. Catherine Bardsley, SBS, donated the following in her memory.

Money Tree - $200

Gift Card Bundle - $150

Lottery Wreath Door Prize - $100

The 2024 Gala Committee donated the following prize bundle: Wine Bundle - $200

All proceeds benefit the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament and their Ministries.

THANK YOU

Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament

In the fall of 1948, my brother, Cecil A. Toulon Jr. and I came to reside at Holy Providence School. We attended daily mass, and when scheduled, served as alter boys. Often I would look up at the left side of the chapel at a special cut out to see Saint Katharine Drexel if possible. Mother Josepha was in charge of H.P.; Sister Bernadette was over the boys unit; and Sister Ignacita was the School Principal. I remember Father Kelly as the always happy priest and Miss Juliette the 24/7 cook. A few students I recall are: Jerome Shaw whose parents were killed in a place crash; Lawrence Warden #60 and I was 61 always lining up behind him; Dennis Weaver, the only boy I had a fight with; and twin sisters Jean and Joan Spriggs. The Spiritual, Educational, and Social skills I received were invaluable during my formidable five years at H.P. On June 10, 1953 I graduated and returned to New York City to live with my father who had remarried after our mother died of pneumonia in 1943. I now enjoy life with Alma, my adorable wife of 63 years. With many fond memories, thanks again.

God Bless.

Errol D. Toulon, Sr.

The Parishioners of Saint Katharine Drexel Church, 1 Peter Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050

(The First Church in the world named in honor of Saint Katharine Drexel)

Extend Their Thanks and Appreciation to the SISTERS OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT for Their Dedication to the People of God Since 1891!

Our Congratulations to the 2024 National Justice Award Winner, Sr. Marie-Therese Browne, SCN!

O’Connor Family Foundation

To all of our generous advertisers, sponsors, and supporters who help us to continue the legacy established by St. Katharine Drexel.