On June 7, 2015, the Sacred Heart Mustard Seed Fund awarded 15 service awards to graduating seniors who are members of Sacred Heart Church in recognition of their significant service to the church and/or community. Additionally, the Mustard Seed Fund made grants to benefit 35 charities.
The graduates of the Class of 2015 who received $1000 service awards for their higher education include Isabella Bunosso, Matthew Cantor, Paige Hine, Alison Iaiennaro, Nicole Murphy, Julia Pryor, Christopher Ruppelt, Caleb Saleeby, Louis Salerno, Megan Sapack, Maddie Tavino, James Tranos, Matt Van Doren, Caitlin Villano, and Christine Vithayathil.
The 35 charities that received Mustard Seed grants include Ability Beyond Disability, Acts IV Ministry, Arts Escape, Camp Rising Sun Charitable Foundation, Camp Viva, Carolyn’s Place, Children’s Community School, Children to Children Foundation, Connecticut Partnership for Children, Education & Hope, Friends of Haiti, Inc., Habitat for Humanity of Greater Waterbury, Handy Dandy Handyman, Heifer International, Heritage Village Ambulance Association, Kairos Ministries, Knights of Columbus 5066, Mercy Center, Mustard Seed Migrant Ministry, Newtown Rotary Foundation-Gift of Life, Pomperaug High School GradNite, PV Volunteers, Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury, San Miguel Academy of Newburgh, Slam Dunk for Diabetes, Sons of Mary Missionary Society, Southbury Interfaith Thanksgiving Meal, Southbury Women’s Club-Operation Backpack, St. Catherine Academy, St. Charles Brazilian Children, The Molly Ann Targo Memorial Foundation, Water for Waslala, Waterbury Homeless Outreach (formerly Brass City Harvest), Waterbury Youth Services, Young Life.
“These students and charities embody the mission of Sacred Heart Church, in part by advocating responsibility for the poor and oppressed, and by supporting one another on our journey of faith,” said Father Joseph T. Donnelly, pastor of Sacred Heart Church.
The Mustard Seed Service Awards are generously funded in part by bequests from two sisters Irma Ziegler Smith, Mildred Ziegler, and Gus Berkes, and also by memorial gifts made by parishioners. The fund reflects the desire that the way Sacred Heart parish has ministered in the name of Jesus since its establishment over 130 years ago.
Each year, 50 percent of the fund’s earnings are distributed to charities, 20 percent for service awards to graduating high school seniors, 10 percent for parish youth ministry and the remaining 20 percent for parish needs.
Tax-deductible gifts to the Mustard Seed Fund are welcome. Each dollar contributed permits the fund to grow and thus be of greater benefit to works of charity, to those seeking a higher education and with a desire to serve others, to Sacred Heart’s parish youth ministry programs, and to the varied needs of the entire parish.
“We invite and welcome contributions to the Mustard Seed Fund in the hope that by building up the principle, we can make even more generous grants and awards in the future,” said Fr. Donnelly. “Please consider this fund as a recipient of your charitable donations and when planning your estate. Your generosity is much appreciated by these well-deserving students and charities every year.”
In the Photos: Recipients of the 2015 Sacred Heart Church Mustard Seed Service Awards (from left to right): Fr. Joseph Donnelly, James Tranos, Matt Van Doren, Megan Sapack, Christopher Ruppelt, Maddie Tavino, Caleb Saleeby, Alison Iaiennaro, Matt Cantor, Nicole Murphy, Louis Salerno, Paige Hine.
Missing: Caitlin Villano, Christine Vithayathil, Isabella Bunosso, Julia Pryor
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John, Samantha, and Lori DePalma were available after Mass to answer questions about Carolyn’s Place, a non-profit center in Waterbury, CT, that provides free services to pregnant women. Carolyn’s Place was one of 35 charities that received Mustard Seed grants.