RENEW International Honors Four Boston Catholics
for Prominent Roles in ARISE Together in Christ
Four notable Catholics who have played significant roles in the Archdiocese of Boston’s renewal effort, ARISE Together in Christ, were recognized by RENEW International, a Catholic not-for-profit organization based in Plainfield, New Jersey. Sr. Terry Rickard, O.P., RENEW International’s President and Executive Director, presented The President’s Award to Mr. John McNeice, Dr. Patricia Dinneen, Mrs. Mary Ann McLaughlin, and Rev. Bill Williams at its annual fundraising gala on June 3, 2010 in West Orange, New Jersey.
The President’s Award is given to those who, through their actions and support, have advanced RENEW International’s mission of evangelization, spiritual renewal, and faith formation and played a significant role in bringing those efforts to individuals, parishes, and dioceses throughout the world.
Sr. Terry Rickard commented, “When we look at the vitality that ARISE Together in Christ has brought to so many parishes and people in the Archdiocese of Boston, we are truly blessed to recognize these four exemplary individuals. They are models of Catholic commitment in Boston and beyond, with a level of dedication that is exceptional.”
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Most Reverend John Dooher; Dr. Patricia Dinneen & husband Dr. John Mooney; Sr. Theresa Rickard, OP; Mrs. Mary Ann McLaughlin & husband Mr. Tom McLaughlin, Sr.; Reverend Bill Williams Photo here and on homepage courtesy of The Catholic Advocate. |
Mr. John A. McNeice, Jr.’s generosity and dedication to the Church led to his involvement in ARISE Together in Christ. He serves on the Catholic Schools Foundation’s Inner-City Scholarship Fund Executive Council; the Archdiocesan Finance Council and Stewardship Committee; and is past-president of Catholic Charities. John is the retired chairman and chief executive officer of The Colonial Group, Inc. John and his wife, Margarete, support many Catholic organizations in the Greater Boston area and beyond.
Dr. Patricia M. Dinneen was instrumental in collaborating with RENEW International to organize the 2009 Archdiocesan Justice Convocation in Boston. With graduate and doctoral degrees in Economics and her career in emerging markets, she has been motivated by a desire to reduce world poverty. Pat serves on the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council of Boston and has established a Social Justice Committee to promote Catholic Social Teaching. Pat and her husband, Dr. John J. Mooney, are active parishioners at St. Peter Parish in Cambridge, MA.
Ms. Mary Ann McLaughlin coordinates all aspects of ARISE Together in Christ in the Archdiocese of Boston. She is the Co-Director of the Archdiocesan Office of Worship and Spiritual Life. Mary Ann holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Boston College and a Master’s Degree in Christian Spirituality from Creighton University. She is a former teacher and published author. Mary Ann and her husband, Tom, have six children and eleven grandchildren. They are members of Our Lady Help of Christians Parish in Newton, MA.
Fr. William (Bill) Williams has been a Boston priest for 40 years, serving six parishes. He has served at St. Mary’s of the Assumption Parish in Dedham for the past three years and has recently been assigned to move to St. Peter’s Parish in Plymouth. He recognized RENEW’s processes as a powerful way of growing parish life. His zeal and enthusiasm enabled his parish to be the first in Boston to participate in a small group faith-sharing process.
Most Rev. John A. Dooher, the Regional Bishop for the Southern Region of the Archdiocese of Boston and the Episcopal Liaison to ARISE Together in Christ, accepted the President’s Award on behalf of John McNeice.
Bishop Dooher offered congratulations to all four honorees and read a letter from Cardinal Seán O’Malley, OFM Cap to the assembled guests, which stated in part, “We were greatly blessed that RENEW International was able to collaborate with Archdiocesan leadership in developing ARISE, which has enlivened the faith of many parishioners and provided them the inspiration and skills to reach out to and welcome our brothers and sisters who have been absent from the worshiping community.” The letter continued by exhorting all to work together in Christ to build up the Church.
Msgr. Thomas Kleissler, Co-founder and President Emeritus of RENEW International, presented an award to retiring trustee Dolly Donahue in recognition of her many years of dedicated service to RENEW's Board of Trustees.
Archbishop Emeritus of Newark, Most Reverend Peter L. Gerety, was on hand to give the Invocation during which lauded RENEW for "awakening in the hearts of people around the globe "a love of [God's] holy word in the sacred scriptures, a thirst for holiness in a more devotional reception of the holy sacraments and above all in a more profound love of [His] Son's Presence in the sacrament of His Body and Blood, the Holy Eucharist."
View our Gala Photo Album pages!
About ARISE Together in Christ
ARISE Together in Christ is RENEW International’s newest pastoral renewal service, developed in collaboration with Cardinal Seán O’Malley and the Archdiocese of Boston’s Office of Worship and Spiritual Life. As the spiritual centerpiece of the Archdiocese’s recent bicentennial, the process has proved true to its title “Together in Christ.” It is building bridges between merged parishes, connecting diverse ethnic communities, and forging deeper relationships among parish members, young and old. Throughout the Archdiocese, more than 30,000 people participate across 180 parishes, employing materials developed in six languages.
About RENEW International
RENEW International is a Catholic organization based in Plainfield, NJ, in the Archdiocese of Newark. RENEW International fosters spiritual renewal in the Catholic tradition by empowering individuals and communities to encounter God in everyday life, deepen and share faith, and connect faith with action. RENEW International has a 30-year record in revitalizing parish life in over 150 dioceses in the United States, touching the lives of 25 million people through its renewal processes. RENEW International also reaches many thousands outside the United States, having served people in 23 countries, across six continents and in 44 languages. Its web site is www.renewintl.org.
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