Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago hosted the 95th Annual Meeting of its Board of Advisors at the Hilton Chicago today. The purpose of the meeting was to report on the programs and activities of Catholic Charities during Fiscal Year 2012, inform board members about issues facing the agency, and celebrate 95 years of serving the poor and vulnerable in Cook and Lake counties.

Rev. Monsignor Michael M. Boland, Administrator, President and CEO of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, addressed the board, and presented the agency’s annual position paper, titled “Catholic Charities Today,” which details the range of services and parish relationships the agency maintains across the Archdiocese. Monsignor Boland also announced the new Board Chair, Charles W. (“Chip”) Mulaney, Jr., who will serve a two-year term.  Monsignor Boland thanked outgoing Board Chair, Joe Luby for his outstanding service.

“I’m honored to have served as Board Chair for Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, working in partnership with like-minded persons of all faiths,” Mr. Luby said of his tenure.

His Eminence Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago, also addressed the Board and commissioned 26 new members.

During the past year, Catholic Charities assisted more than one million families and individuals in Cook and Lake counties without regard to religious, national, racial, ethnic or economic background.

“The 157 programs we administer provide a wide array of support to families and individuals, including many low-income seniors and formerly homeless veterans. We serve everyone, regardless of their faith, with competence and compassion,” Monsignor Boland said.  

Catholic Charities Board of Advisors numbers over 600 and is responsible for providing advice, guidance and financial support to Catholic Charities. Lead by a 36-member board of directors, the Board of Advisors has over 25 committees involved with all aspects of the agencies operations.

At the meeting, Catholic Charities presented awards for exceptional service to:

• Dr. Louis Glunz III and his wife, Jean, who have been active on the board and generous donors for nearly 40 years.

• Jody O’Connor, owner of Jody O’Connor Photography and a Board of Advisors member, who has been coming to our Tuesday night suppers for ten years to implement a unique photography program for the hungry and homeless called, “After Supper Visions.”

• Reverend Gerard P. Kelly, C.M., who has served as Catholic Charities Chaplain since 1998 and has had long involvement with the St. Vincent de Paul Society at both the local and national levels.

• Wendy Seifert, who retired earlier this year as Vice President of Senior Services and Health Care for Catholic Charities. Seifert spent her 40+ year career at Catholic Charities, improving services for thousands of vulnerable seniors. 

• Catholic Charities Junior Board, which celebrated its 10^th anniversary this year, and has proven to be a source of great energy, involvement and leadership development for young adults, many of whom have moved onto the Board of Advisors.  

For more information about Catholic Charities, including copies of the Annual Report and position paper, “Catholic Charities Today,” please visit:  www.catholiccharities.net.

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago is one of the largest private, not-for-profit social service agencies in the Midwest, annually assisting 1.1 million persons in Cook and Lake counties without regard to religious, ethnic or economic background. Catholic Charities fulfills the Church's role in the mission of charity by providing compassionate, competent, professional services that strengthen and support individuals, families and communities.