20th Annual Sharing Hope Dinner Honors Three Couples for Franciscan Spirit

GARRISON, N.Y. - Oct. 23, 2013 - PRLog -- On Friday, October 11th, the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement held their Platinum 20th Anniversary Sharing Hope Celebration Dinner at the Pierre Hotel in New York City, where over two hundred and fifty guests were in attendance. The dinner honors individuals who exemplify the Friars’ charism of unity and At-one-ment and demonstrate Franciscan spirit in their lives by committing their time, talents and resources in service to humanity. This annual event raises funds to support the mission and ministries of the Friars at Graymoor and around the world.   Best-selling author Mary Higgins Clark chaired the dinner and served as emcee.

  Thomas DeJulio, Esq. and Rosemary DeJulio, Ph.D., of Bronxville, were honored with The Graymoor Sharing Hope Award in recognition of their outstanding efforts helping children and young adults through Kiwanis International and Fordham University. Tom has been recognized by many organizations and presently is President of Kiwanis International.  He is a recipient of the Denzel Washington Boys and Girls Club Community Service Award and is a member of the Mount Vernon High School Hall of Fame. For four decades, he has been an advisor to students in Circle K, the collegiate arm of Kiwanis. Rosemary has been an active member of Kiwanis for the past twenty five years. A past president of the Fordham chapter, she was the first woman to serve as Lt. Governor of Kiwanis’ Bronx-Westchester Division in 1995. Because of their dedication, countless children have been saved and have grown to become responsible adults leading better lives. Tom also is General Counsel of Fordham University and Rosemary is Assistant to the President of Fordham. Thomas and Rosemary are an inspiration that echoes the Friars’ Franciscan spirit to help those in need.

  Robert Rooney and Lisa Rooney, M.D., of Greenwich, received The Graymoor Award.  Lisa is a dedicated pediatrician caring for the physical, psychological, and social needs of her patients and their families. She serves on the Pediatric Executive Committee at Stamford Hospital, is a member of the Board of Directors for the Child Guidance Center of Southern Connecticut and has helped coordinate the Leadership Training Program of Regnum Christi, a youth ministry for girls. Bob is Founding Past President of the Fairfield County Chapter of Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice, which spreads the understanding and implementation of Catholic social teaching. He serves on the Advisory Boards for St. John’s University’s Tobin School of Business, Fairfield University’s Center for Faith and Public Life and the Dominican Provence of St. Joseph’s economic council.  Bob and Lisa are very active in their parish of St. Catherine of Siena, in Riverside, CT. In serving the needs of countless individuals with their time and resources, Bob and Lisa bring to life the prayer of St. Francis “to heal, to unite and to bring home those who have lost their way.”

  Michael and Candace Finnegan, of Garrison, received The Graymoor Community Service Awardfor their dedication and service in support of veterans and his involvement inmany public service and environmental activities. Michael served on the Boards ofHope for a Healthier Humanity, Siena College, the Boy Scouts and the Audubon Society. Hechaired the Hudson River Task Force, which led to the creation of the Riversand Estuaries Institute Center on the Hudson. Michael has been recognized for his service to veterans, public service, and the environment with the Conspicuous Service Medal - New York State’s highest award forcivilian service.  He is a trustee for the National Resources Defense Council, a Board Member of Catholic Charities for theArchdiocese of NY and is a recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.  Michael and Candace exemplify the Friars’ Franciscan spirit to spend “minimum on self; maximum to God and neighbor.”

  The Franciscan Friars of the Atonement are a Roman Catholic order of brothers and priests founded in 1898 by Fr. Paul Wattson, SA at Graymoor in Garrison, New York.  Since that time, the Friars have worked for reconciliation and healing through “at-one-ment” — the unity of men and women with God and with one another —  so that the prayer of Jesus “that they all may be one” might be fulfilled.  Through their mission and ministries they serve people of every race, religion, and walk of life. Their social ministries help the poor, the needy, and the homeless; people living with HIV; frail and elderly in hospitals and hospices; those in prison; and people seeking recovery from alcoholism and chemical addictions.  Their ecumenical work makes them leaders of the international movement to heal the divisions within Christianity and among all faiths.  Through their prayers and pastoral ministries, they bring spiritual renewal, unity, harmony, and reconciliation throughout the world and carry the Gospel message to three continents. For more information about the friars, visit http://www.atonementfriars.org