Madonna Della Strada Award Ceremony

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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 underway for Della Strada 2023. Our 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

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

2021 (April 11)

Jonathan Scott – Boston

Kevin and Anne Kane – Worcester

Shannon Carroll – Providence

2019 (April 28)

Frank Carroll – Worcester

Sister Angela Daniels, CP – Providence

Joe Vallely and Kitty Ryan – Boston

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

IVC New England

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Madonna Della Strada Award Ceremony

Madonna Della Strada Ceremony – April, 2022

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