Gala

2020 Event

Thank you for joining us at the 2020 Gala!   It was a record year!!

This year’s theme, “At Home with Catholic Charities,” is a reminder that when doors are closed to those looking for food, comfort, direction, or just someone to listen – Catholic Charities’ doors are open.  This is especially true as we have remained “opened” during the pandemic and provided rental and utility assistance, counseling and distributed food boxes weekly to our neighbors in need.   Our case managers were working “remotely”, but our services never stopped, we were still “opening doors” to our clients.

 

Tickets

The Gala sold out this year!! Thank you so much for your continued support.

Tickets are sold out.

Honorees

Reverend Monsignor John J. Martin
Pastor, St. Peter’s Parish, Coplay

Monsignor Martin was born in 1946 in Pottsville, son of the late John S. and Anna M. Martin. He attended St. Bartholomew School, Brockton, and graduated from Marian High School, Tamaqua.

He prepared for the priesthood at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary near Philadelphia where he earned Bachelor of Arts and Master of Divinity degrees. He was ordained March 18, 1972 at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown by the Most Reverend Joseph McShea, then-bishop of Allentown.

The new priest’s first assignment was as assistant pastor, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Whitehall from 1972-1974). He was then called to service in Diocesan administration where for more than 20 years he served in a variety of rolls: assistant financial secretary and then Financial Secretary for the Diocese. He was also assistant director, Holy Family Manor and Villa, Bethlehem. For part of that time, he served as chaplain for St. Francis Center for Renewal, Monocacy Manor. For 11 of those years he was in residence at St Joseph the Worker Parish in Orefield.

In 1992, he was named pastor at St. Stephen of Hungary Parish in Allentown. He was pastor at Assumption BVM Parish in Colesville from 1996 until 2011. Since then he has been pastor at St. Peter Parish in Coplay.

Monsignor Martin has also been a member of the Council of Priests, the Diocesan Consultors, a member of the Committee for Priestly Vocations, a member of the Board of Directors of the former Catholic Social Agency and most recently a member and later Vice President and then President of the Board of Directors of Catholic Senior Housing and Health Care Services Inc.

Monsignor Martin has twice received papal honors. He was named Chaplain of His Holiness with the title Monsignor on December 15, 1981 by Pope John Paul II and was named Prelate of Honor of His Holiness, on February 10, 1987 also by Pope John Paul II.

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Anthony and Mary Martocci
Parishioners of Assumption BVM Parish, Bethlehem

Mary A. (Tropila) Martocci was born and raised in Jersey City, NJ; was a member of St. Anthony Parish, and attended Ferris High School. She was working and attending evening classes at New York University when she met and married Anthony (Tony). Having five children in six years (Laura, Philip, Natalie, Monica and Diana) kept her busy! During this time the family moved to Bethlehem, PA and joined Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (ABVM) Church.

Mary was very active with the new Assumption BVM School (now St. Michael’s), volunteering in a number of areas. Over the years at ABVM Church, Mary also was involved in coordinating bus trips and Parish wedding ministry, responsible for altar flowers, helped with spaghetti dinners, was a member of the Women’s Advent Breakfast committee, and more. Outside the Parish, Mary enjoys volunteering at St. Luke’s Hospital, traveling with Tony and spending time with her nine grandchildren – Noa, Danielle, Sydney, Sam, Jacquelyn, Kimmie, Quincey, Matthew, and Jennifer.

Anthony (Tony) Martocci was born and raised in Roseto, PA; was a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, and attended Bangor High School. He received degrees in Chemical Engineering and Metallurgy from Lafayette College and Stevens Institute of Technology. At Bethlehem Steel Corporation (BSCO), he worked at various plant locations in addition to working for 25 years at Home Research Labs and spent a dozen years at Corporate Energy Affairs. After retirement from BSCO, he consulted for the U.S. Dept. of Energy, primarily with Oak Ridge National Labs.

After relocating to Bethlehem 55 years ago, Tony became involved in Assumption parish activities including: Holy Name Society, Eucharistic Minister coordinator, Finance Council, etc. He became involved in the parish Boy Scout Troop in 1975 and continues to be active with the Troop and Cub Pack. Tony began making annual parish-sponsored men’s retreats in 1971 at St. Francis Retreat House, was a member of their founding board of directors and continues as Board Emeritus. Tony and Mary made a “Cursillo Weekend” in 1979, sponsored by parishioners, which was life-changing for Tony who remains active in Cursillo today. Tony also is active at the Diocese as a member of the Parish Capital Improvement Committee. He was a member of DeSales University’s Institutional Review Board and supports a number of their programs. Currently, he is in a year of Formation with the Knights of Malta.

Mary and Tony feel very blessed to be part of our wonderful Catholic Diocesan community! God Bless!

Sponsorship & Advertising

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