by The Tablet Staff
HOWARD BEACH — Hundreds of people turned out to show their support for Catholic education by attending the Bishop’s Christmas Luncheon, where organizers said more than $450,000 was raised during the afternoon.
The luncheon, held at Russo’s on the Bay in Howard Beach on Dec. 10, raises money for the Catholic education and youth ministry programs in the Diocese of Brooklyn through the Catholic Foundation for Brooklyn and Queens and Futures in Education, which offer financial assistance to families who might otherwise be unable to afford to send their children to Catholic school.
For example, 4,000 children received scholarships to attend Catholic schools this year.
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Bishop Robert Brennan, who greeted attendees, said he always looks forward to the luncheon because it gives people from the diocese the chance to get together in the spirit of friendship and generosity as they look forward to the holidays.
“Many of these people support Catholic education in other ways,” Bishop Brennan said, “but there’s something about being here together in the spirit of the coming feast of Christmas. That’s special.”
Three people were honored at the luncheon for their contributions to the diocese.
Msgr. Fernando Ferrarese, pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Astoria, received the St. John Paul II Distinguished Stewardship Award.
Dr. Elizabeth Lutas, an internist who also teaches faith formation at St. Teresa Church in Woodside, received the Spirit of Hope Award.
The Emma A. Daniels Benefactor’s Award was presented to Jill Arkwright Harvey, an investment adviser.
Msgr. Ferrarese emphasized the importance of Catholic education.
“The spiritual basis of education … that makes a big difference in the development of the child,” he told Currents News.
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Both Dr. Lutas and Arkwright Harvey said they feel called to spread God’s love.
“Children, unfortunately, don’t get [love] in the world. They might not even get it at home,” Dr. Lutas explained. “So, we have to do that to remind them how much God loves us.”
“I was raised as a part of my Catholic faith to spread it and do for others,” Arkwright Harvey said.
The luncheon highlighted the work done by the Catholic Foundation for Brooklyn and Queens and Futures in Education.
“The most heartbreaking thing for us is when we hear about a family, and they know the Catholic school environment is the best for their child, but they can’t figure it out because of tuition,” said John Notaro, executive director of the Catholic Foundation for Brooklyn and Queens. “That’s where we step in.”