By Jerry Zufelt
Editor

GREENSBURG — The March 11 annual meeting of the board of trustees of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Greensburg featured sincere gratitude to the many people who assist the diocese’s social service in its Gospel-based mission and recognition of the national organization’s 100th anniversary.

Charles Deluzio, president of the board, presented Catholic Charities’ annual report for 2008-09 to Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt at the meeting.

The board met at the rectory of Our Lady of Grace Parish, where Msgr. Raymond E. Riffle, managing director of Catholic Charities, also serves as pastor.

In his remarks at the meeting, Bishop Brandt thanked the staff and board of trustees who have expanded their work to carry out the fundamental message of both the Old Testament and the New Testament, "God’s love for his people."

Bishop Brandt said the church has always championed God’s love by helping the poor and underprivileged, and he praised the people of the diocese for their ongoing generosity that helps Catholic Charities carry out its mission.

Msgr. Riffle echoed the praise for the board, the volunteers and staff "who are always willing to do what needs to be done to get the job done."

He also thanked Bishop Brandt for his support of the agency and what it’s been missioned to do.

Bishop Brandt noted that Catholic Charities USA has grown since its inception in 1910 so that more than 8.5 million lives are positively impacted annually by Catholic Charities-affiliated agencies in the U.S.

In his letter in the annual report, Msgr. Riffle asked for people to "take a moment and give thanks to God for all of those who, over the past 56 years (in the diocese) and 100 years in the United States, have made it possible for us to be of service to the Lord in this most special work."

For a copy of the annual report and the latest audit report, contact the director of operations and finance for Catholic Charities at 724-837-1840, ext. 502.