AMECEA: Communication Veteran receives Award for Promoting Small Christian Communities in Eastern Africa
A
Catholic non-profit organization based in Plainfield, New Jersey, USA has
awarded the first AMECEA Communication
Secretary Fr. Joseph G. Healey, “The Msgr. Thomas A. Kleissler Award” for his visionary spirit of church renewal,
commitment to justice as integral to faith, dedication to the formation of lay
leadership, and devotion to spiritual renewal through the building of small
Christian communities in Eastern Africa during its fourteenth annual
fundraising gala held on June 6, 2013 at the Pleasantdale Chateau, West Orange,
NJ.
Catholic non-profit organization based in Plainfield, New Jersey, USA has
awarded the first AMECEA Communication
Secretary Fr. Joseph G. Healey, “The Msgr. Thomas A. Kleissler Award” for his visionary spirit of church renewal,
commitment to justice as integral to faith, dedication to the formation of lay
leadership, and devotion to spiritual renewal through the building of small
Christian communities in Eastern Africa during its fourteenth annual
fundraising gala held on June 6, 2013 at the Pleasantdale Chateau, West Orange,
NJ.
Msgr.
Thomas A. Kleissler Award, is an award named in honor of RENEW’s president
emeritus and co-founder given to person with remarkable qualities of Msgr.
Kleissler.
The
other two persons who received the Awards were Mr. Michael Catanzaro who
received the President’s Award and Ms. Lisa Marie Meehan who received the
Spirit of RENEW Award. These three are considered to have played a significant
role in fostering RENEW International’s mission of spreading gospel values in
daily life.
other two persons who received the Awards were Mr. Michael Catanzaro who
received the President’s Award and Ms. Lisa Marie Meehan who received the
Spirit of RENEW Award. These three are considered to have played a significant
role in fostering RENEW International’s mission of spreading gospel values in
daily life.
Presenting
the awards the RENEW International’s president and executive director Sr Terry
Rickard OP said their organization is truly blessed to pay tribute to the
faithfulness, leadership, and service represented by these three exemplary
individuals who were recognized as models of Catholic commitment in their
personal and professional lives, with a level of dedication that is
exceptional.
the awards the RENEW International’s president and executive director Sr Terry
Rickard OP said their organization is truly blessed to pay tribute to the
faithfulness, leadership, and service represented by these three exemplary
individuals who were recognized as models of Catholic commitment in their
personal and professional lives, with a level of dedication that is
exceptional.
The
awards were presented as part of RENEW’s gala reception, auction, and dinner.
RENEW International’s gala raises funds each year to support the organization’s
mission of building dynamic communities of faith.
awards were presented as part of RENEW’s gala reception, auction, and dinner.
RENEW International’s gala raises funds each year to support the organization’s
mission of building dynamic communities of faith.
Besides
members of his family and Maryknoll priests, Fr. Joe Healey was accompanied to
the gala by Maryknoll Missionary sisters from East Africa: Sr. Theresia Ndesoma,
MM from Moshi Diocese in Tanzania and Sr. Ann Mutinda, MM from Machakos Diocese
in Kenya.
members of his family and Maryknoll priests, Fr. Joe Healey was accompanied to
the gala by Maryknoll Missionary sisters from East Africa: Sr. Theresia Ndesoma,
MM from Moshi Diocese in Tanzania and Sr. Ann Mutinda, MM from Machakos Diocese
in Kenya.
While
receiving the award, Fr. Joe Healey said, “I am delighted to receive this Msgr.
Thomas Kleissler Award on behalf of the 120,000 Small Christian Communities in
the nine countries of Eastern Africa.”
receiving the award, Fr. Joe Healey said, “I am delighted to receive this Msgr.
Thomas Kleissler Award on behalf of the 120,000 Small Christian Communities in
the nine countries of Eastern Africa.”
Fr.
Healey also conveyed greetings from members of his SCC in Nairobi to the
congregation that was gathered at the gala, “The members of my own St. Kizito
SCC in Nairobi, Kenya greet all of you; the children in my SCC greet your own
children and grandchildren.”
Healey also conveyed greetings from members of his SCC in Nairobi to the
congregation that was gathered at the gala, “The members of my own St. Kizito
SCC in Nairobi, Kenya greet all of you; the children in my SCC greet your own
children and grandchildren.”
A
rich display of orbi books and Eastern Africa books on Small Christian
Communities, African Books, Magazines, DVDs and carvings on African culture and
traditions colorfully decorated the African room at the gala as well as
displays of Small Christian Communities Activities promoted by RENEW
International in Africa and around the world. Also displayed at the gala were
African Vestments, stoles, clothes and shirts along with the Small Christian
Communities website.
rich display of orbi books and Eastern Africa books on Small Christian
Communities, African Books, Magazines, DVDs and carvings on African culture and
traditions colorfully decorated the African room at the gala as well as
displays of Small Christian Communities Activities promoted by RENEW
International in Africa and around the world. Also displayed at the gala were
African Vestments, stoles, clothes and shirts along with the Small Christian
Communities website.
The
highlight of the Award received by Fr. Healey came when the two East African
Maryknoll Missionary sisters who had accompanied him to the gala led the
congregation in a Swahili Small Christian Community song usually sang at the
Small Christian Community meetings.
highlight of the Award received by Fr. Healey came when the two East African
Maryknoll Missionary sisters who had accompanied him to the gala led the
congregation in a Swahili Small Christian Community song usually sang at the
Small Christian Community meetings.
Fr
Healey is a missionary priest belonging to Maryknoll Congregation. Apart from
working as Communication secretary at AMECEA Secretariat Fr Healey has been a
promoter of Small Christian Communities (SCCs) as he gave himself a name Mwana
Jumuia in Kiswahili to mean (A member of Small Christian Community). His
pastoral ministry, academic career, and writings have made him a leading voice
in the spread of SCCs throughout Africa and around the world.
Healey is a missionary priest belonging to Maryknoll Congregation. Apart from
working as Communication secretary at AMECEA Secretariat Fr Healey has been a
promoter of Small Christian Communities (SCCs) as he gave himself a name Mwana
Jumuia in Kiswahili to mean (A member of Small Christian Community). His
pastoral ministry, academic career, and writings have made him a leading voice
in the spread of SCCs throughout Africa and around the world.
SOURCE: AMECEA Social
Communications
Communications
