Center for the Works of Mercy, Residences at St. Matthew among ministries highlighted during celebration at St. John’s Resort
PLYMOUTH — Almost 500 Catholics from across the Archdiocese of Detroit gathered at St. John’s Resort in Plymouth on Sept. 18 to support a ministry serving the heart of the city of Detroit.
Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan's 2025 Annual Celebration raised money for the recently reopened Center for the Works of Mercy on Woodward Avenue in Detroit's North End, across from the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament.
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“Tonight we’re celebrating the work of Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan, especially recognizing the accomplishments of the past year with the opening of The Residences at St. Matthew and the reopening of the Center for the Works of Mercy,” Paul Propson, president and CEO of Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan, told Detroit Catholic.
The gala raised more than $300,000 to support the operating costs for the Center for the Works of Mercy, which houses a food pantry, clothing closet, the Malta Medical and Dental Clinic and other services, and is an opportunity for the faithful across the archdiocese to carry out the corporal works of mercy.
The money raised from the gala will help fund the Center for the Works of Mercy's operations, Propson said, including staff who serve as case managers, volunteer trainers and coordinators.
“We have dozens of people there, going through donated clothing, going through donated food, working with our volunteers,” Propson said.
The evening began with Mass in Saints Mary and Joseph Chapel at St. John’s Resort, celebrated by Detroit Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger, with Catholic Charities staff, volunteers and supporters in attendance.
Msgr. Charles Kosanke, chairman of Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan's board, preached the homily.
“My brothers and sisters, there are many humanitarian organizations in our country, and that’s great,” Msgr. Kosanke said. “However, I invite you to think tonight about how the biblical perspective is very different when it comes to helping the poor and suffering. You see, the world often looks upon philanthropy as the 'haves' giving to the 'have-nots,' and it’s only in one direction.
“But sometimes, the danger can be that people can be condescending about helping one another, or just giving a little of what they have to make themselves feel better,” Msgr. Kosanke explained.
“The Christian way is very different, because our generosity is rooted in the love of God and man, and it’s also an expression of gratitude to God for all the blessings we receive,” Msgr. Kosanke continued. “It’s bidirectional, meaning, as we help the poor, they help us. And the world doesn’t get that. But when we help the poor, they help us. By serving the least among us, we serve Christ.”
A reception, cocktail hour and dinner followed Mass in St. John's Resort's Monarch Ballroom, where Archbishop Weisenburger thanked CCSEM staff for their work as the charitable arm of the local Church.
“Catholic Charities is truly dear to my heart,” Archbishop Weisenburger said. “Catholic Charities proclaims a witness in such a unique and powerful way that it continues to be an evangelization tool over and above with their ability to serve Christ and the poor. I’m grateful to each of you for the role you play in this, and your share in spreading the Gospel.”
Local TV personality and recent revert to the faith Chuck Gaidica emceed the gala, leading a pledge drive that netted $61,750 in cash pledges in addition to a silent auction. Gaidica also presented the 2025 Time, Talent and Treasure Awards, which honored parishes, ministries and individuals who exemplified the corporal works of mercy over the past year.
“We’re here to honor others in the Catholic community for their outstanding and exceptional service tonight,” Gaidica said, adding the Center for the Work of Mercy, the evening's highlighted ministry, “provides essential resources and support to the most vulnerable among us.”
St. Matthew Parish in Detroit received the Outstanding Parish Award for its work in opening The Residences at St. Matthew, an affordable housing facility built in the parish’s former school building, which provides much-needed low-income housing in Detroit east side.
Fr. Duane Novelly, who serves St. Matthew Parish, said the residences are an answer to prayer. In addition to being an appropriate use of the parish's former school building, it's also been an opportunity for evangelization, he said.
“The residences are now fully leased up,” Fr. Novelly told Detroit Catholic. “We already have had four residents express an interest in the parish and asking how they can become Catholic. In fact, one of the residents has joined our choir.”
The new housing units have already had a "great impact" on Detroit's east side, which is being spurred by other developments, Fr. Novelly said.
“This fills a particular void for affordable housing that we need in order to keep people in the neighborhood. It also helps connect the parish to the neighborhood and all the other developments that have turned the area around,” Fr. Novelly said.
Other honorees included Pat and Bob Mincel of Divine Child Parish in Dearborn, who were honored with the Leonard R. Jagels Award for their service with the AmeriCorps Seniors' Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) at Catholic Charities, the Fish and Loaves Community Food Pantry in Taylor and the Berwyn Senior Center in Dearborn Heights.
The Ladies of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul Oakland County Association was honored with the Outstanding Organization Award, which was accepted by co-presidents Mia Materka and Maria Hewson.
“The Ladies of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul is the oldest Catholic lay women’s organization in the world, founded by St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac in 17th century France,” Materka said. “The Oakland County Association of the Ladies of Charity was established in 1965, located on the campus of St. Hugo of the Hills in Bloomfield Hills. We rely exclusively on grants, membership dues and donations, and through these funds, by the grace of God, we serve others, regardless of religious or political affiliation.”
Materka said the organization serves "tens of thousands" of individuals in need each year with household goods, food and clothing.
“Although we never seek attention for our works, we appreciate the spot of recognition our organization has been given," Materka said. "We invoke God to be the driver of our lives, and we hope to continue our mission to serve than to be served, in humility, simplicity and charity.”
The evening ended with a message from Kerry Alys Robinson, president and CEO of Catholic Charities USA, who commended the work of Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan's Center for the Works of Mercy and other mission sites.
“I had the opportunity to visit the newly reopened Center for the Works of Mercy, and what a perfectly descriptive name,” Robinson said. “While visiting the center earlier today, as well as The Residences at St. Matthew and La Casa Amiga (in Pontiac), I was struck not only by the vast and comprehensive services offered, but by the merciful, compassionate and joyous manner of delivering those services. The lives of your neighbors who have experienced their most difficult days, compounded by poverty, are being transformed thanks to such compassionate service.”
Robinson acknowledged the challenges many independent Catholic Charities organizations have faced, including cuts in federal grants and partnerships earlier this year. However, amidst those challenges, Catholic Charities has served 28 million meals nationwide, provided career training to more than 40,000 clients, behavioral health services to more than 500,000 Americans, and provided 38,000 permanent affordable housing units for families, seniors and returning veterans, she said.
Robinson said she was concerned about some of the rhetoric and misinformation levied against the church’s social ministries, especially those that “care for people who are suffering, poor, frightened and vulnerable,” she said. Still, she said, despite such harmful mischaracterizations, the Church will always be there to support those who need it — even those who might disparage it.
“Our message is this: In your hour of need, when you are struggling, we won’t leave you,“ Robinson said. “We’ll provide for you, hold you, call you by name, in offering the care we provide to everyone. It’s what the Gospel demands of us.“
Robinson finished her address by thanking Propson, Msgr. Kosanke and Archbishop Weisenburger for their leadership in the Archdiocese of Detroit.
“Thank you to the entire staff and all the volunteers at Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan for making the works of mercy a reality for all you encounter,” Robinson said. “And finally, thank you to every person in this room. Your support makes this life-giving work possible. Thank you for caring deeply about your neighbors in need,” Robinson said.
More photos from the night
