Madonna Della Strada Award Ceremony

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.

Madonna Della Strada Ceremony – April, 2018

Agatha and Si at the Della Strada event

A record-breaking 241 people signed up for the April 29 IVC New England Madonna Della Strada ceremony at Boston College High School. They came to honor Msgr. Frank Scollen, Deb Thompson, Mary Reilly, RSM, and former Ignatian Volunteer Jim McCarthy.

Father John Madden of St. John’s Parish in Worcester presided at the afternoon liturgy and IVC chaplain emeritus Si Smith, SJ preached the homily. “What good is your life if you don’t give it away?”, Si asked us, and praised the Ignatian Volunteer Corps for its giving of selves for others.

(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

2012 (April 22)

Bill Waters – Providence

Si Smith, SJ – Worcester

Lena Deevy, LSA  – Boston

2013 (April 21)

Nancy Braceland, CSJ – Boston

Fred Enman, SJ – Worcester

Henry and Carol Shelton – Providence

2014 (April 6)

Mary McHale – Boston

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

Ann Keefe, SSJ & Joyce Flowers, RSM – Providence

2015 (April 26)

Dan Conley – Providence

Patti and Tom Ryan – Worcester

Dave Gill, SJ – Boston

2016 (April 10)

Marie Therese Martin, SSJ – Worcester

Nondas Hurst Voll – Providence

Dave & Noreen Manzo – Boston

2017 (April 30)

Annette Raferty – Worcester

Colette Cook – Providence

Patrick Byrne – Boston

2018 (April 29)

Deb Thompson and Mary Reilly, RSM – Providence

Msgr. Frank Scollen – Worcester

Jim McCarthy – Boston