Sister Marie McCarthy awarded first-ever Guerin Outreach Ministries Leadership and Advocacy Award

Guerin Outreach Ministries, Inc., at their first annual meeting on Oct. 21, awarded the newly created Guerin Outreach Ministries Leadership and Advocacy Award to Sister Marie McCarthy, SP.

Sister Marie serves as the liaison between the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods General Council and Guerin Outreach Ministries, which is a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Providence.

Guerin Outreach Ministries, established in June of 2008, was created to serve as an umbrella ministry for three already-existing ministries of the Sisters of Providence. Educational Family Services provides free tutoring services to residents of West Terre Haute, Ind. and the surrounding areas. Providence Family Services in Chicago provides counseling services, English as a Second Language classes, after-school tutoring and computer training to residents of West Humboldt Park and its neighboring communities. Providence in the Desert offers English as a Second Language instruction for adults and music lessons for children to residents of the Coachella Valley in Southern California.

“Sister Marie has supported the beginning work of Guerin Outreach Ministries, taking on the lead role to structure and incorporate this group of ministries. She has advocated for our funding, been our voice to the General Council and consistently explained to all who were questioning why this group of ministries should be encouraged to work together. Her belief in the needs that were expressed by our Ministries’ Directors gave her the energy to be our voice, where that voice was needed,” said Sister Patty Fillenwarth, president of the Guerin Outreach Ministries Board, in presenting the award.

As a token of recognition, Sister Marie received an engraved crystal box and a colorful scarf.

“I was surprised and touched to receive the award,” Sister Marie said.

Sister Marie said she is happy to be a part of Guerin Outreach Ministries. “It really does reach out in the local areas to folks that are in need and does it in a way that really makes a difference in their lives. Whether through education or counseling or other support, these ministries are really making a positive impact on the lives of people who struggle,” she said.

Board members for Guerin Outreach Ministries include, in addition to Sisters Marie and Patty, Penny Sullivan of Terre Haute, Ind., Sister Carol Nolan, SP of Coachella, Calif., Sue B. Heck of West Terre Haute, Annette Maggio of Park Ridge, Ill., Elizabeth Ramirez of Indio, Calif. and Sister Mary Beth Klingel, SP of Saint Mary-of the Woods, Ind..

Sister Mary Beth Klingel, the newest member of the board, is excited for the chance to contribute.

“I believe each of the three ministries within Guerin Outreach Ministries is breaking boundaries and creating hope, continuing the work of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, by responding to real needs. In two of the three ministries, immigrants are benefiting from much-needed services. All three respond to needs of the marginalized in our society. Children especially benefit from these outreach ministries, either directly or indirectly by the assistance offered to their parents,” Sister Mary Beth said.

For more information about Guerin Outreach Ministries or to find ways you can contribute to this not-for-profit charitable organization, visit www.GuerinOutreachMinistries.org.