GREENSBURG — Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Greensburg held its annual board of trustees meeting March 17 at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral Parish, where the report for the 2009-10 fiscal year was presented to Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt along with the application, policies and procedures for the new Diocesan Poverty Relief Fund.
In addition, new officers were elected to the board, new members were accepted and other members’ terms were renewed.
In his remarks, Bishop Brandt praised the social service agency’s work over the years and said he was pleased with the grant application and policies developed for the relief fund.
"I am excited about the possibilities for this program," he said, noting that the grant application and policies are clearly in line with Catholic teaching and are as thorough and complete as any he has seen in the country.
Oversight of the Diocesan Poverty Relief Fund was entrusted to Catholic Charities by Bishop Brandt when he publicly announced the formation of the fund at the Communities of Salt and Light Award Dinner last year.
"I don’t know of any national organization that has such fine oversight," Bishop Brandt said of Catholic Charities.
Grant proposals will be reviewed twice a year, and the first grant cycle begins immediately.
Bishop Brandt also thanked Catholic Charities for its efforts to help people during the difficult economic times of the past two years by making the best use of its financial and human resources.
Msgr. Raymond E. Riffle, managing director of Catholic Charities and rector of Blessed Sacrament Cathedral Parish, praised the agency’s volunteers and staff.
"You have always done what needed to be done," he said and thanked Bishop Brandt for his trust in the agency.
Charles Deluzio, board president, presented the annual report to Bishop Brandt.
In the report, Msgr. Riffle wrote that the work of Catholic Charities is "the work of every Catholic," and the task of helping the needy has become "progressively more difficult as the demands of an increasingly harsh social climate bring people to our doors in ever more desperate need, and with fewer resources to respond to their problems."
The highlights of the year included the board’s completion of a strategic planning process, the establishment of the Diocesan Poverty Relief Fund and successful fundraising events: the Communities of Salt and Light Award dinner and annual golf outing, which raised $89,209 to provide direct material assistance to people in need in the four counties of the diocese, according to Msgr. Riffle.
The new board officers are Charles Deluzio, president; George Butler, vice president; Daughters of Charity Sister Mary Frances Bassick, treasurer; and George Fetkovich, secretary.
The new board members are Father Daniel L. Blout, Paul Hart, Rocco Panucci and Joseph Sbaffoni.
The terms of four board members — George Butler, James Froelicher, Johnette Seecof and Father Michael P. Sikon — were renewed.
Officers serve a two-year term, and board members serve three-year terms.