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Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted with this year's award winners.

More than 200 guests attended Catholic Charities’ Phoenix Annual Awards Dinner April 14 at Moon Valley Country Club.  Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted gave the invocation and Chris Coraggio, KPHO Morning News Anchor served as the emcee. The event honored six individuals for their dedication and commitment to the community.

“Each year, I look forward to the Phoenix Awards Dinner because it’s our opportunity to thank individuals for their community support,” said Molly McQuaid, awards dinner chair.  “These people are committed to making a difference in their community and are willing to share their time and resources not for the recognition but because they believe in what they are doing.”

Roxanne Rix, of St. Jerome Parish received the Magnificat Award, which recognizes a member of a Maricopa County Catholic parish who demonstrates remarkable love and service to those in need. Tommy Espinoza, of St. Catherine of Siena Parish, received the Prophet Amos Award, which recognizes a person of any faith who demonstrates the passion of the Prophet Amos for the little-loved, little-respected and marginalized members of our society.

Patricia Bell received the Helen Shea Service Award, which is given in honor of Helen Shea, a former executive director of Catholic Charities in Phoenix. The recipient of this award has made an outstanding contribution to the goals and ideals of the agency.

Steve Rude of Rude Family Northwest Mortuary and Lee Garrett of Holy Cross Cemetery and Mausoleum  received the Simon of Cyrene Award, which is given to a company or corporation which assists good people in carrying out the Gospel of Jesus, as Simon did, by lightening their load and walking beside them.

Sr. Mary Ruth Dittman, S.D.S. received a lifetime achievement award for demonstrating a lifetime of responding to human needs and a personal commitment to the values and mission of Catholic Charities, especially in the areas of charity and justice.