On April 20th, a group from St. Mary, Mother of God Parish attended the Annual Salt and Light Dinner of the Diocese of Greensburg at Stratigos Banquet Center in North Huntingdon.

The Salt and Light Dinner is an annual fundraiser of the Diocese of Greensburg— Catholic Charities whose aim is to help the most vulnerable and at-risk residents of the diocese by granting temporary emergency financial assistance with food, light, water, sewage and all heating sources.

Now in its 19th year, the event has netted more than one million dollars to help nearly 9,000 individuals and families in the four counties served by the diocese — Armstrong, Fayette, Indiana and Westmoreland.

Along with this fundraising event, the committee of the Salt and Light presents an award to recognize outstanding individuals or groups in the categories of humanitarianism (time and talent), philanthropy (treasure) and outstanding human service organization (service and action) in the Diocese of Greensburg. The nominees come from the four counties of the diocese.

This year’s awardee were Jerry Overman, Jr. (for Humanitarian) from Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, Coral. Mr. Overman, a resident of Homer City, was cited in his nomination for service on the Indiana County Suicide Task Force, the Critical Incident Stress Management Team, the county’s Drug Free Coalition and the Center for Organ Recovery and Education. He also was lauded for his and his staff’s work with families when they face the death of a loved one, especially in the cases of suicide and drug overdose.

Patricia A. Smiy (for Philanthropy) from Immaculate Conception Parish, Irwin. Ms. Smiy, a resident of Irwin, is being honored for giving her time, talent and resources to her parish and the diocese. She was a longtime volunteer at the Norwin Hills Health Care Center for the former Mercy-Jeannette Hospital, has served on multiple parish committees and projects, and was an honorary co-chairwoman for the diocese’s “Today’s Challenge ~ Tomorrow’s Hope” capital and endowment campaign. She is a member of the parish’s Christian Mothers/Women’s Guild and the Comfort Blanket Ministry; member of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women; serves on the Bishop’s Commission for the Diocesan Heritage Center; and is a Lady Commander in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

Spirit Life (for Outstanding Human Service Organization) from Indiana. Spirit Life, Inc., is a nondenominational organization that was founded in 2013 and addresses the physical, psychological and spiritual needs of individuals ravaged by chemical addiction and provides assistance to the families affected by addiction, according to the nomination. Spirit Life collaborates with other service organizations to help provide assistance to people when they return to their homes, families, communities and jobs. The nomination included praise for the faith that drives this organization’s work and its compassion and commitment to the recovery of the whole person.

(Source of information is taken from the Catholic Charities—Diocese of Greensburg)