The 230 guests at the annual Caritas Dinner shared the pleasure of listening to a beautiful reflection on Christian charity highlighting the ministries of Catholic Charities of Long Island.
The reflection was offered by the evening’s honorees, Susan and Jim O’Hara, in their remarks jointly accepting the Caritas Award recognizing their “faithful and exemplary charitable leadership and service to our neighbors in need.”

Jim O’Hara said, “Christian charity recognizes the needs we seek to satisfy are the needs of human beings, and so Christian charity…always comes with humanity and true heartfelt concern for those in need.

“And those fortunate of us to be able to bring Christian charity, we’re the ones receiving the gift, the opportunity to experience the richness of humanity.” 
Weeks before the May 16 evening reception and dinner at The Heritage Club at Bethpage, the O’Haras toured CCLI program sites with a team of executives and staff led by CEO Mike Smith.

The O’Haras, longtime parishioners of St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre, invited family members, friends and associates to share in their honor at the Caritas celebration. Jim is CFO and COO of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and Susan served as an RN for over 35 years, most recently at Molloy University as assistant director of the Clinical Learning Center/Nursing Laboratories.

Both serve as co-presidents of the Long Island chapter of Legatus, the organization for Catholic business leaders, and hold board positions with diocesan entities, Jim with Catholic Faith Network and Susan with Catholic Health.  

“We saw care, kindness and humanity for all, regardless of ethnicity, religion or situation,” Jim explained. “We experience day to day Christian charity in action. We are truly humbled to be associated with this organization and their remarkable dedication to Christian charity.”

Susan’s remarks were placed in the context of “Awe,” a book about the science of everyday wonder, which ranks moral beauty as the No. 1 awe.

Remarking on the CCLI programs, Susan said, “We were incredibly moved by each and every person we met there. There was a Meals on Wheels driver at Catholic Charities. Despite personal hardships, he never missed a day of work because he not only delivers meals, he also brings conversation, prayer and love to each individual he delivers to.

“It’s the folks that are involved in the care for the home for the disabled who serve the needs of special individuals and their families. They truly make the world a better place,” said Susan, who also cited Catholic Charities’ addiction treatment center, mental health services, maternity services and immigration services, including victims of domestic violence and human trafficking,

“The Catholic Charities folks have a special gift. They often work in challenging circumstances on a consistent basis but continue to demonstrate God’s love for neighbor,” Susan said. “They are truly the honorees for tonight’s Catholic Charities dinner.”

“Thank you once again for this amazing award,” Susan said. “We are truly humbled by this experience.”