Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio celebrated its centennial anniversary in October by recognizing 100 Champions of Mercy at a banquet held at Cintas Center on the Xavier University campus.
More than 500 people of all faiths and ages attended the awards dinner.

The celebration honored people from all walks of life. Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr in his blessing said, “Tonight we share the stories of the Champions of Mercy gathered here who live the words of this Gospel passage (Matthew 25) by sharing God’s mercy with joy. We pray to sustain them in their work.”

Catholic Charities USA President, Dominican Sister Donna Markham, president of Catholic Charities USA, shared video greeting that commended the staff of Catholic Charities for being the face of God’s mercy across southwestern Ohio for 100 years.

In a letter from the Vatican, Pope Francis encouraged Catholic Charities to “draw ever greater inspiration from the Gospel mandate of love for the poor and care for those in need. At a time of rapid social change, marked by new forms of material and spiritual poverty, this witness of mercy and solidarity is all the more necessary for the building of a society of authentic justice, in which each individual is cherished and helped to live a life worthy of our God-given dignity and common humanity.”

For the names of the honorees and more information about the Champions of Mercy and Catholic Charities, visit https://ccswoh.org/100-champions-mercy-honored/.