Experience Making a Difference

Donate to IVC

Experience Making a Difference



IVC New England

Dave Hinchen
Regional Director
31 Fairview Street
Roslindale, MA 02131
617-571-3838

email Dave

Return to IVC Regional Offices

Madonna Della Strada Award Ceremony

Madonna Della Strada Ceremony – April, 2022

After a three year hiatus, IVC New England returned to Boston College High School to celebrate our tenth Madonna Della Strada Awards Ceremony. COVID wiped out our 2020 plans. Last year we celebrated virtually. This year we went live and what a wonderful celebration it was!
 
Approximately 180 gathered to worship together and to honor the lives of awardees Eileen Hayes, Beth and Meyer Chambers, and Frank Kartheiser. Father Oscar Pratt presided at the liturgy and urged us to look for the body of Christ among the living. The Archdiocese of Boston Black Catholic Choir and the Liturgy Arts Group of Boston College combined to lead the congregation in music. Rebecca’s Cafe provided food for the reception and dinner following Mass.
 
Prior to the awards, IVC New England Director Dave Hinchen shared the good news of the growth of the IVC community in New England despite the pandemic and asked members of the community to stand and be recognized for their service. IVC national director Mary McGinnity spoke from the heart of the good and expanding work of IVC in New England and across the county. There are now twenty IVC regions in the US and international virtual opportunities as well.
 
Colette Cook, Father Oscar Pratt, and Professor David O’Brien introduced the awardees with humor and sincerity. Eileen Hayes has been CEO of Amos House in Providence for twenty years. Meyer and Beth Chambers live lives of service and celebration. Frank Kartheiser’s achievements include foundational roles with the Worcester Mustard Seed community and Worcester Interfaith.
 
Feedback after the event was overwhelmingly enthusiastic. Comments included: “beautiful Mass,” “liturgy was fantastic,” “music was perhaps the best we have ever had,” “the choir was exceptional,” “great program with lots of high points,” “inspiring and motivating stories of the honorees,” “getting to be with and talk to other volunteers and their husbands/wives at dinner,” “my wife and I enjoyed the entire event,” “the whole evening was outstanding.”
 
Plans are already underway for Della Strada 2023. Our tentative date is April 23 at Boston College High School. Mark your calendars now. Much of this year’s ceremony was filmed and will be available soon on YouTube.

 

 

Madonna Della Strada Ceremony – April, 2019

Della Strada Ceremony A Success Once More – April, 2019 More than 200 people gathered at Boston College High School on April 28 for the eighth annual Madonna Della Strada Awards Ceremony of IVC New England. Friends, families, supporters and core community members joined to celebrate the lives of Frank Carroll, Sister Angela Daniels, CP, and Joe Vallely and Kitty Ryan.

Assisted by Deacon John Franchi of Worcester, Father Ken Hughes, SJ of the Saint Peter Faber Jesuit Community in Brighton (MA), celebrated an opening liturgy and in his homily touched on God’s love as demonstrated in Jesus’ resurrection and in the commitment shown by people like Ignatian Volunteers and the Della Strada awardees. Music was led by Margaret Felice and Chris Rakovec of BC High.

As in past years, Rebecca’s Cafe provided wonderful hors d’oeuvres and dinner. Equal Exchange provided coffee. IVC NE Director Dave Hinchen asked volunteers, reflectors, regional council members, and past Della Strada awardees to stand for much deserved applause, and shared that IVC New England has continued to grow this year, reaching record numbers with 45 volunteers serving with 31 service partners in eleven different cities and towns.

IVC President/CEO Mary McGinnity congratulated IVC New England on ten years of service to those enduring poverty and marginalization. Mary spoke about the “miracle of yeses” – how “yeses” uttered by people who serve others, such as the IVC community, transform, bring and heal life. Then, together with the IVC New England Regional Council, she presented Dave with a surprise award – the Conroy/Costello Founders Award, bestowed on a person or group who has had a significant impact on the growth and viability of the IVC mission. Dave is the second person to receive this award. Mike McGonagle, BC High Vice Principal for Ignatian Mission and Identity, served as MC moving the program along with skill and humor. The IVC New England Della Strada Ceremony will return to BC High again next year. Save this date: April 26, 2020. Planning has already begun. Suggestions for awardees are welcome. Contact us at newengland@ivcusa.org.

Sister Angela Daniels, CP Receives the Madonna Della Strada Award

The Ryan Vallely Family – Boston Della Strada Award Winners

IVC Regional Director Dave Hinchen Presents Frank Carroll with His Award

(for more Della Strada photos, contact IVC New England (newengland@ivcusa.org) or go to our Facebook page.

Madonna Della Strada

The Madonna Della Strada award is named after Sancta Maria Della Strada, the first church that St. Ignatius and the early Jesuits obtained to serve the urban poor in the center of Rome.The award honors lives that reflect the Ignatian values of direct service to the poor, and of working and educating for a more just society.This is the fourth year that IVC New England has hosted a Madonna Della Strada Ceremony.

IVC New England Della Strada Awardees

2018 (April 29)

Deb Thompson and Mary Reilly, RSM – Providence

Msgr. Frank Scollen – Worcester

Jim McCarthy – Boston

2017 (April 30)

Annette Raferty – Worcester

Colette Cook – Providence

Patrick Byrne – Boston

2016 (April 10)

Marie Therese Martin, SSJ – Worcester

Nondas Hurst Voll – Providence

Dave & Noreen Manzo – Boston

2015 (April 26)

Dan Corley – Providence

Patti and Tom Ryan – Worcester

Dave Gill, SJ – Boston

2014 (April 6)

Mary McHale – Boston

St. John’s Parish/ Father John Madden – Worcester

Ann Keefe, SSJ & Joyce Flowers, RSM – Providence

2013 (April 21)

Nancy Braceland, CSJ – Boston

Fred Enman, SJ – Worcester

Henry and Carol Shelton – Providence

2012 (April 22)

Bill Waters – Providence

Si Smith, SJ – Worcester

Lena Deevy, LSA  – Boston