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Evening of Hope

The Ladies of Charity at St. John’s University offers you the opportunity to sponsor the annual “Evening of Hope,” at Terrace on the Park in Flushing, NY on Friday, April 12, 2024 at 5:00 pm. 

This year we are delighted to confer the “Spes Unica” Award on Alice McDermott, a distinguished professor and author whose prize-winning novels recognize the dignity of all people and the innate search for meaning and redemption. 

According to Rev. Robert Lauder, Professor at St. John’s University, as an author, the “Catholic horizon of Alice McDermott’s novels gives profound meaning to her insightful and joyful attention to humanity.”

The Ladies of Charity at St. John’s University, a 501 (c) (3) organization, is dedicated to assisting those who are on the margins of society, with particular emphasis on the needs of women and children and their education. A few of our programs include:

  • School Sisters of Notre Dame Educational Center, a literacy program for women in Woodhaven, Queens; 
  • St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children, St. Mary’s Kids, Bayside, NY; and the 
  • Rev. Michael D. Whalen, C.M. Award, given to a Junior Lady of Charity at St. John’s Preparatory High School who will attend St. John’s University upon graduation. 

In addition to these local educational projects, we provide both hands-on and financial assistance to those on the margins, wherever the need arises. In the fall of 2023, the Ladies provided over 100 backpacks filled with school supplies for the children of migrants in Queens, NY. All donations are used to support our projects. 

Please help us in our endeavors and sponsor our Evening of Hope! Together we can help those most in need and turn our Evening of Hope into a springboard for a Lifetime of Hope.

Please click  to see several sponsorship opportunities and to pay online or to submit check with mail-in form. Kindly submit by March 20, 2024.

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    2018 Evening of Hope: Spes Unica award to Honor Sister Tesa Fitzgerald, CSJ of Hour Children

    April 3, 2018

    On Friday May 4, 2018, The Ladies of Charity at St. John’s University will host its annual “An Evening of Hope” from 7:00-11:00 pm at the Immaculate Conception Center in Douglaston, Queens. Sr. Tesa Fitzgerald, CSJ will receive the St. Louise de Marillac Spes Unica Award and deliver the keynote address.
    “An Evening of Hope” begins at 7pm and participation will support the charitable works of the Ladies of Charity at St. John’s University. Tickets cost $90.00. The evening will include a silent auction and raffles. To be a sponsor, purchase tickets and register for the event go to: https://conta.cc/2GLCQsd

    Sr. Sister Tesa Fitzgerald, CSJ, the Executive Director of Hour Children, was involved in the founding of the organization when she became a foster parent in 1989 to eight children of incarcerated mothers at the convent where she lived. In 1996, when Hour Children became a 501 (c)(3) organization, Sister Tesa extended her outreach to offer supportive services to other children of incarcerated mothers and the mothers themselves. Prior to that, she was responsible for NYS curriculum oversight for Catholic elementary schools for the Diocese of Brooklyn, and both a school Principal and teacher at various Catholic elementary schools. In addition to being an educator, she is a Certified Foster Care Trainer. Sister Tesa has been named a CNN Hero (2012), a White House Champion of Change (2013), the 2014 winner of the Opus Prize, and in 2015 was awarded the Cross Pro-Ecclesia et Pontifice.The Spes Unica Award was established by the St. John’s University Ladies of Charity in 2014 to recognize a person who exemplifies the spirit of St. Louise de Marillac by radically improving the lives of others through service. St. Louise de Marillac was the spiritual moderator of St. Vincent dePaul’s lay women’s society, the Ladies of Charity. In 1633 she co-founded the religious order the Daughters of Charity with St. Vincent to address more completely the grinding poverty of 17th-century France. The newly formed Daughters of Charity set up soup kitchens, organized community hospitals, established schools and homes for orphaned children, offered job training, taught the young to read and write, and improved prison conditions.St. Louise died in 1660 and inscribed on the cross at her grave is the Latin phrase ”spes unica,” which means “one hope” or “only hope.” These words reflect St. Louise’s belief that service to humanity through systematic planning, sustainable programming and extensive collaboration is the “one hope” to effectively alleviate the burdens of people living in poverty. Four centuries later, that vision is reflected in the lives of people like Sr. Tesa and previous recipients; it is a vision celebrated by the Ladies of Charity, St. John’s University and the whole Vincentian Family.“An Evening of Hope” begins at 7pm and participation will support the charitable works of the Ladies of Charity at St. John’s University. Tickets cost $90.00. The evening will include a silent auction and raffles.

    To be a sponsor, purchase tickets and register for the event go to: https://conta.cc/2GLCQsd

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    Past Recipients of the Ladies of Charity Spes Unica Award

    Headshot of Laura Schroff smiling
    Laura Schroff

    2023 Laura Schroff, a New York Times and international best selling author and keynote speaker who was born and raised on Long Island is a passionate and compelling voice on the power of small acts of kindness and mentorship. Through her book, An Invisible Thread Young Readers Edition (ages 8-12), An Invisible Thread Christmas Story (ages 4-8) and Angels on Earth, Laura has committed to advocate and inspire others to opening up their eyes and hearts to the opportunities where they can make a difference in the lives of others. As a keynote speaker at over 200 events and 100 schools, Laura encourages her audience to look for their own individual thread connections.  An invisible thread brings to life the inspiring true story of an 11 year old panhandler, a busy sales executive and their unlikely meeting with destiny in 1986.

     

    Pat Shea

    2019 Patricia Shea  is the Founder and  Executive Director of Mommas House that began in 1986 with a home in Malverne, NY offering support to young mothers (ages 18-24) and their babies. Providing physical shelter and a stable environment, young mothers are nurtured and taught to provide child care and parenting skills while encouraged to obtain schooling and job training. 

    Sister Tesa Fitzgerald

    2018 Sr. Tesa Fitzgerald, C.S.J.  is the executive Director of Hour Children.  She began its founding in 1989 at the convent where she lived when she became a volunteer foster parent to eight children of incarcerated mothers. In 1996, Hour Children became a 501 (c)(3) organization to offer supportive services to other children of incarcerated mothers and the mothers themselves.

    Susan Gordan Ryan

    2017 Susan Gordon Ryan
    A graduate of St. John’s University and a special education teacher, Susan used her personal and professional experiences to found the unique and innovative “Empire State Games for the Physically Challenged.” She was the first woman to serve as the director of the New York State Long Island Park System.  Her work in the not-for-profit sector included government relations, special events and fundraising for UCP of Suffolk and major gifts fundraising at Abilities, Inc., Albertson, NY.

    Sr. Margaret John Kelly

    2016 Sr. Margaret John Kelly, D.C., Ph.D.
    An expert on governance, ethics and Vincentian history, mission and charism, she pioneered the establishment of mission services for health institutions and in higher education.  A member of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, Sr. Margaret John was the founder and Executive Director of the Vincentian Center for Church and Society at St. John’s University. She served as the spiritual moderator of the Association of the Ladies of Charity at St. John’s from its inception in 2009 until her retirement in 2015.

    Roseanne Haggerty

    2015 Rosanne Haggerty
    Realizing that the solution to end homelessness humanely and economically lay in using communities, Roseann’s efforts focused on strengthening networks of local organizations to solve problems together.  In 2011 she founded Community Solutions, a national organization that leads local innovation through collaboration.

    Mary Mulvihill

    2014 Mary Mulvihill, Ed.D. – A devoted educator at St. John’s and Fordham Universities and a dynamic leader in fundraising and program development, Mary has served as the executive director of Grace Institute and Lincoln Square Neighborhood Center.  She has led the way in the effort to help struggling people help themselves.

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    Ladies of Charity at St. John’s Inaugurate the “Spes Unica Award”

    The Ladies of Charity at St. John’s University are proud to present an “Evening of Hope,” an inaugural fundraising event in which we honor Dr. Mary Mulvihill as the first recipient of the Spes Unica Award.  Click here to register

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    4th Annual Evening of Hope

    The Ladies of Charity at St. John’s University are proud to present an “Evening of Hope,” our annual Spes Unica Award dinner and fundraising event. This year we honor Susan Gordan Ryan as the recipient of the Spes Unica Award. The event ticket price of $75 includes, Dinner, Raffles, “Wall-of-wine” and silent auction opportunities. Please note that all net proceeds raise funds for programs/projects that the LOC at SJU sponsor to combat poverty among women and children.

    More details to follow! Registration is open, please click on the invitation below to register or follow this link: https://goo.gl/pu6R9E

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    Ladies Who Hope Sip & Paint in Bayside

    The Ladies of Charity at St. John’s University and friends became artists on Sunday, November 2, at Bourbon Street in Bayside, Queens. The event, “Ladies Who Hope,” brought together 80 participants for “Sip & Paint,” featuring a delicious brunch followed by artistry and fun: painting a fall-themed design on a wine glass!

    Under the direction of St. John’s Prep High School art teacher Kayley Kemp, the group of 80 set about to paint their wine glasses. Using the four colors provided —brown, yellow, orange, and red —the budding artists painted branches and fall-colored leaves on the glasses. 

    Following Kayley’s direction and using the same four paint colors, the group created 80 uniquely beautiful works of art! Alas, only one participant could take home the prize for best-painted wine glass. 

    Each table chose their best, then judges Belenna Lauto and Frances Hynes selected the beautifully painted winning wine glass by Michelle Foley. 

    All attendees went home with a beautifully painted wine glass, a bottle of wine, and the memory of a lovely afternoon, and member Anna Rocchio took home the door prize!

    The LoCSJU is grateful to all who made Ladies of Hope—Sip & Paint such a success: Chairperson Mary O’Donoghue, and committee members Adrianna Dino, Belenna Lauto, Mary Pat Bierne, Mary Ellen Freeley, Dianna Rowan, Diane Babula, Veronica Loehle, Mary Ellen Terraciano, Pat Mule, Cindy Phillips, Maura Wrynn, and Nell Wrynn; judges Frances Hynes and Belenna Lauto; and art teacher Kayley Kemp.

    Through the generosity of donors, the majority of event fees will benefit LoCSJU charities, including: the SSND Educational Center, Rev. Michael Whalen Scholarship for a Jr. LOC attending St. John’s University,  DePaul USA Dax Program, St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children, and the Bridge of Life. 

    The next LoCSJU event is the Evening of Hope on May 7 at Terrace on the Park in Queens. We look forward to continuing our community spirit and sharing our mission with new and old friends alike. 

    • Painted wine glass

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    Sr. Tesa Fitzgerald honored with Spes Unica Award at May 2018 Evening of Hope

    June 17, 2018

    On Friday May 4, 2018, The Ladies of Charity at St. John’s University were delighted to honor Sister Tesa Fitzgerald, CSJ as the 2018 Spes Unica award. Sister Tesa is  Executive Director of Hour Children as well as a beloved friend and mentor to many of the Ladies at SJU. In her acceptance speech, she spoke of vocation, and listening to the call to action: attending meetings and well-wishing was not enough. As a life-long educator, Sr. Tesa’s work as a teacher evolved into acting as a foster parent and subsequently grew into her establishing Hour Children as a nonprofit organization to offer supportive services to other children of incarcerated mothers and the mothers themselves. She shared a short video about Hour Children and some of the women who have been touched by Hour Children’s services and love.

    For more about about Hour Children, please see their website: https://hourchildren.org/

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