23nd Annual Sharing Hope Dinner Honorees Announced

GARRISON, N.Y. - June 22, 2016 - PRLog -- The Franciscan Friars of the Atonement will hold their 23nd Annual Sharing Hope Celebration Dinner at the Pierre Hotel in New York City on Friday, October 7th, 2016, at at 6:30pm.  The dinner honors individuals who exemplify the Friars' charism of unity and At-one-ment and who demonstrate the Franciscan spirit in their lives, serving humanity through their commitment of time, talents and resources. This annual event raises funds to support the mission and global ministries of the Friars.   Best-selling author Mary Higgins Clark is honorary co-chair of the dinner, along with Mrs. Valerie Mastronardi. Ms. Higgins Clark will also serve as emcee.

This year, the Friars are pleased to give the Sharing Hope Award to the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA), founded by Father Paul of Graymoor ninety years ago. CNEWA, now a papal humanitarian agency, builds up the church, affirms human dignity, helps to alleviate poverty, encourages dialogue - and inspires hope in the Middle East, northeast Africa, India and Eastern Europe.  They provide emergency relief in war torn areas, help to form priests and educate religious sisters in those regions, support education and aid farmers with needed resources such as irrigation.

Honorees Jeffrey & Valerie Sprague of Greenwich, CT, will receive the Graymoor Award for their ceaseless devotion to serving the Lord and promulgating Catholic values in both their personal and working lives. Jeffrey works with Regnum Christi and Valerie is co-founder of Children's Hope Chest, a Westchester charity that helps children affected by poverty, abuse, neglect and illness.

James Slattery, of East Norwich, NY, will receive the Graymoor Community Service Award for his work with the Brooklyn Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project which provides free legal counsel to those who cannot afford to hire attorneys and for his support of the Mercy Home for Children for the developmentally challenged.

The Franciscan Friars of the Atonement 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.  Through their ecumenical outreach, they are part of the international movement to heal divisions within Christianity and among all faiths.

For information about purchasing tickets and sponsorships, please contact Lisa Koesling at (845) 424-2137, email LKoesling@AtonementFriars.org or visit AtonementFriars.org/SharingHope (http://www.atonementfriars.org/SharingHope) by Monday, September 19, 2016.