RENEW International, a Catholic not-for-profit organization based in Plainfield, N.J., will hold its annual fundraising gala on June 10, 2021 at the Pleasantdale Château, West Orange, N.J.
“This year’s annual gala will be very special,” said Sr. Terry Rickard, O.P., RENEW International’s president and executive director. After a year of social distancing, we will be able to gather together and honor four dedicated Catholics who demonstrate commitment to their faith through their service to others. Each of our honorees – Rick and Addie Moore, Dr. Ramon Tallaj, and Sr. Honora Nolty – lives the values that are central to RENEW’s mission.”
The Spirit of RENEW Award will be given to Dr. Ramon Tallaj, chairman of the board, and founder of SOMOS Community Care. Dr. Tallaj oversees SOMOS’s network of over 2,500 health-care providers and 650,000 patients from largely underserved groups across New York City, including Asian and Hispanic immigrant communities that often face unique health challenges. Dr. Tallaj and his network of doctors have been providing free COVID-19 vaccinations and testing in New York City’s low-income neighborhoods.
Actively engaged members of The Church of the Presentation in Upper Saddle River, N.J., Addie and Rick Moore of Mahwah will receive The President's Award. Addie, serves as a Eucharistic minister, was a long-time member of the First Eucharist Team and Bible Camp, and led the Environment/Decorating Committee. A vital RENEW volunteer, she chaired the gala committee for almost 20 years. Rick, a lector and past parish council president, is now involved with the Wednesday Morning Men’s Group and the Funeral Ministry and leads a bereavement group.
RENEW will present the Msgr. Thomas Kleissler Award to Sister Honora Nolty, O.P., a Dominican sister of Amityville, N.Y. who has dedicated her life to ministry. She began her ministry in education, serving as a teacher, principal, and associate superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Brooklyn. She was a pastoral associate at St. James Cathedral, Brooklyn, and went on to direct Channel, a Catholic peace corps for recent college graduates, facilitated the founding of the Inter-community Ministry Volunteer Program, and served as the director of Siena Spirituality Center in New York. For the past 14 years she worked at RENEW as a presenter, director of pastoral services, director of development, and associate director.
The presentation of these awards will be the highlight of the gala: a grand cocktail reception will take place outdoors beginning at 6 p.m. followed by the honoree award program at 8 p.m. A virtual auction and a Super 50/50 will take place throughout the evening. Guests will enjoy the music of The Infernos Band. For those unable to attend, the honoree award program will be live-streamed.
RENEW International’s gala raises funds each year to support the organization’s mission of renewing personal faith and revitalizing parishes. To attend the event, place a journal ad, or make a donation, contact RENEW’s Development Office (908-769-5400, x114; gala@renewintl.org) or visit www.renewintl.org/gala.