Anniversary Banquet

April 10, 2024

Wednesday evening at 5:30pm

The Aqua Turf 

Plantsville, Connecticut

Please join your friends and neighbors at our banquet as we celebrate 45 years of service and renew our dedication to serve people in our community experiencing poverty, homelessness, hunger and mental health challenges.  We come together for an evening of fine dining and friendship enriched by the spirit of our fellowship, commitment, and gratitude.

Dear Friends and Community Partners:

On behalf of Staff and Board of Directors, my co-chair Laurie St. John and I are thrilled to announce that the Mission has reached an exciting milestone – our 45th Anniversary! When Fr. Cascia opened the Thrift Store in 1978, I am sure he didn’t imagine the growth and impact the Mission would have on our community. To commemorate this momentous occasion, we will celebrate at our Anniversary Banquet on April 10th at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville with Tom Chute serving as emcee.

As we reflect on our 45 years of service, we will recognize Archbishop Leonard Blair with a Presidential Award for serving as the leader of our organization during his tenure and welcome Coadjutor Archbishop Christopher Coyne to our Mission family.

The Father Cascia Service Award will be presented to Bruce & Nancy Humiston in recognition of their exceptional service extended to the Mission program participants. The Msgr. Joseph T. Donnelly Leadership Award will be presented to the Honorable Paul K. Pernerewski Jr. in recognition of his leadership of service not only within St. Vincent DePaul Mission, but also in the greater Waterbury area.

We will also recognize 12 “All Stars” who have who have been dedicated over the years to the St. Vincent DePaul Mission: Msgr. Ronald Ferraro; Rev. James Sullivan; Deacon Paul Iadarola; Deacon George Pettinico; Atty. Jack Senich; Joe Connolly; Lou Lombard; Jim Brennan; Jack Shea; Iona Watterworth; Eileen Regan; and Emma Barone. This group, consisting of former/current volunteers, board members, staff and one of the Mission’s founding members, represents the spirit of dedication, commitment, and friendship that has allowed the Mission to succeed.

In lieu of an ad journal and raffle we are seeking sponsors to help offset the expenses associated with hosting an event worthy to honor a milestone moment in SVDP history. Sponsor levels and information are available on the attached form. All donations, and reservations to attend the dinner, can be made online at www.SVDPmission.org. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Francine Nido at 203.754.0000 x16 or fnido@SVDPmission.org.

On behalf of everyone involved with St. Vincent DePaul Mission of Waterbury, I thank you in advance for your support and generosity. However, most importantly, we all look forward to celebrating with you on April 10th.

Sincerely,

Catherine Smith

Anniversary Banquet Chair

Fr. Cascia Service Award: Bruce & Nancy Humiston

Here is history that is well worth repeating!  At our annual banquet in 2012, the Church of the Epiphany was recognized for their exceptional service at the Soup Kitchen (preparing and serving the noontime meal on Saturdays) and for many additional donations of food and gifts also.  Their ministry was named Friends Feeding Friends.  In 2017, the Church of the Epiphany merged with St. Thomas Becket Church and St. Bridget Church to form a new parish, St. Bridget of Sweden.  Friends Feeding Friends came along into the new parish continuing their extraordinary level of service and attracting an increasing number of volunteers as well.  The leaders in this great story were, have been and still are Bruce and Nancy Humiston.

Msgr. Donnolly Leadership Award: Mayor Paul K. Pernerewski Jr.

Serving the community has always been a priority to Paul and in 2001 Paul felt passionate that his law background would help Waterbury come out of mismanagement, fiscal irresponsibility, and outright corruption. Paul’s integrity and moral character were already well known within the community and when a vacancy occurred on the Board of Aldermen, he was appointed by then Mayor Michael Jarjura. In subsequent elections the residents continued to elect Paul and in 2009 Paul took on the role of President of the Board until his election to Mayor in 2023.  Paul has been a prominent figure in Waterbury and through his leadership on the board was able to spearhead many significant initiatives to improve the lives of the residents of Waterbury. Under Paul’s guidance and continued collaboration with city officials, Paul led the alders to scrutinize city budgets and initiatives resulting in the bond rating steadily increasing from junk bond status to what it is today, AA- with a positive economic outlook. As Mayor, Paul will continue focusing on the city’s economic growth while also addressing the educational needs of students and working with stakeholders to reduce crime. Paul’s pragmatic approach and collaborative style of leadership is exactly what is needed at this time for the future success of Waterbury. “Working together, there is nothing we cannot achieve. Waterbury’s best days are ahead of us.”

SVDP All Stars: Msgr. Ronald Ferraro; Rev. James Sullivan; Deacon Paul Iadarola; Deacon George Pettinico; Atty. Jack Senich; Joe Connolly; Lou Lombard; Jim Brennan; Jack Shea; Iona Watterworth; Eileen Regan; and Emma Barone. 

In planning the event, we realized that our success over the past 45 years lies with so many individuals who have true dedication to the goals of the Mission. While it’s impossible to recognize everyone for their support, we agreed that there were a few people who stood out from the rest, and we wanted to acknowledge them appropriately. Therefore, we decided to recognize 12 SVDP All Stars for their contributions to St. Vincent DePaul Mission.