Please join us at our annual banquet as we renew our dedication to serve people in our community experiencing poverty, homelessness, hunger and mental health challenges. The program will feature the presentation of The Msgr. Joseph T. Donnelly Leadership Award and The Father Cascia Service Award to people who have provided exceptional service to our Mission.
Msgr. Joseph T. Donnelly Leadership Award 2025:
M. CATHERINE SMITH
Catherine is a life-long supporter of community endeavors in Waterbury and throughout Connecticut. Touching on just a few of Catherines many accomplishments in the community: She was the Board Chairwoman of Mattatuck Museum for 12 years, during which she led an $8 million capital campaign and a $2 million campaign for its new history exhibit and creation of a Park Place adjoining the museum; Most recently, Catherine led the renovation project for Waterbury Library Park; She serves on the City Canvas Committee, which oversees installation of art in urban areas; Catherine is President of the Fulton Park Conservancy and led an initiative to renovate the roughly 100-year-old stone building and perform other upgrades throughout the 69-acre park. She is President of the Elisha Leavenworth Foundation, and serves on several other community panels, including boards of the Leever Foundation, the Greenway Committee, Waterbury Public Arts Committee, TIGER Grant Advisory Committee and Brass City Charter School Board. A dedicated and long-term supporter of SVDP Mission, Catherine served as co-host of our 45th Anniversary Celebration in 2024.
Father Cascia Service Award Recipients 2025:
JIM & KATHY WERTH
Our volunteers are the glue that holds us together. Our SVDP volunteers expand the impact of our Agency. They support the staff to meet the organization's goals; they humanize the organization as they engage from the heart; they invest their social capital to spread the mission of the organization, and they improve the quality for those served. Jim and Kathy have been volunteers at our Soup Kitchen for the past 8 years and long-time financial supporters. We are very proud of them. Their charitable spirit is contagious and their dedication is inspirational!
HOLY CROSS HIGH SCHOOL
Representing Holy Cross Highs School--Thomas C. Pellegrino, J.D., Ph.D., President of HCHS. Holy Cross High School has been involved with the Mission consistently over the years through sponsorships, donations, and most importantly, volunteers. At Holy Cross, students take part in a journey of self-discovery, learning, building lasting friendships and engaging in transformational experiences. Terri Ann Parks, HCHS Director of Enrollment Management, and Kathleen Partin, HCHS Director of Finance and Operations, have been instrumental in providing SVDP Mission with volunteer support for day-to-day operations and fundraisers.
SEVEN ANGELS THEATRE
Founded in 1990 by Semina DeLaurentis, Seven Angels Theatre has grown from humble beginnings into a thriving artistic hub. Seven Angels has been a loyal supporter of St. Vincent DePaul Mission over the years, attending our functions and providing financial support in the form of raffle items for SVDP events, and collections held at all their mainstage and community shows. In 2024, SVDP was given the opportunity to serve as host and beneficiary of a music concert, raising funds and generating community awareness. As the curtain rises on its 35th theatrical season, Seven Angels continues to enchant audiences with its unforgettable performances. With its captivating productions, commitment to community engagement, and dedication to fostering artistic growth, this theater has undoubtedly become an indispensable part of Waterbury's cultural landscape.
