Newsroom

Two bi-partisan pieces of legislation are calling for the abolishment of the death penalty in Ohio - Senate Bill 101 and House Bill 259. Deacon Ed Irelan, Catholic Charities Jail & Prison Ministry Coordinator; Fr. Neil Kookoothe, Pastor of St. Clearance Parish in North Olmstead; and Joe D' Ambrosio, a man who was on death row for many years before new evidence granted him freedom.

Please join the Catholic Business Network for our next breakfast event on Thursday, April 25, 2024. Our speaker will be Noelle Mering, a fellow at the Ethics & Public Policy Center, in Washington, D.C., and author of "Awake, Not Woke: A Christian Response to the Cult of Progressive Ideology." Invite a friend or family member and reserve your places online at https://CBN-NoelleMering.eventbrite.com. Doors open at 7 a.m. Breakfast/Networking at 7:30 a.m. Talk begins at 8 a.m.

Dan Demski, Director of the Office for Divine Mercy at the Diocese of Toledo, shares the liturgy, symbolism, and the sorrow and joy of Holy Week, starting with Palm Sunday, March 24 through to Easter Sunday. All will be celebrated to the Rosary Cathedral and at Catholic churches throughout the Diocese.

Join the pro-life community of NW Ohio as we pray for an end to abortion in Toledo. We seek God’s grace more lives than ever will be saved during our ecumenical 40 Days for Life campaign.

Chef Lynn Sheehan, Opportunity Kitchen Instructor, and Byron Wynn, Opportunity Kitchen and Catholic Charities Volunteer Program Coordinator discuss the program's goals, the current class set to graduate March 20 and the next 10-week class starting April 17. Then Alissa Molina, From Here Media, shares the importance of Catholic Social Teaching and involving youth in social justice service ministries, putting faith in action.

Laurie Hamrick, Community Emergency Services Case Manager, and Brian Hunt, Community Emergency Services Program Coordinator at Catholic Charities Richland County Office discuss “Consumer Protection Services” they provide. A workshop will be offered to individuals Wednesday, March 6 from 9 - 11 a.m. at Catholic Charities Mansfield Office. Ryan Lippe, Consumer Educator in the Ohio Attorney General's Consumer Protection Services Office, shares tips people can use to protect their digital identity and assets.

Sue Shrewsbery, Helping Hands of St. Louis Director, and Tim Carroll, Toledo St. Meinrad Day of Service Coordinator, promote the upcoming March 9 Service Day for alumni and friends of St Meinrad. You can sign up to volunteer that day at Helping Hands of St. Louis https://alumni.saintmeinrad.edu/home/day-of-service/day-of-service-registration/.

Kevin Jorrey, Director of the Office for Life and Justice, and Allison Stump, Students for Life Coordinator, promote our 40 Days for Life Campaign that starts Feb. 14 and runs through March 24. Then Kevin is joined by Jennifer Sanders, a volunteer from St. Paul Roman-Catholic Church in Norwalk, discussing the "Walking with Moms in Need" parish program across the Diocese of Toledo.

In the final segment, Christopher Bell, a co-founder and now President and CEO of Good Counsel Homes discusses the services offered to pregnant women at their shelters.

Join us for a thought-provoking talk with Pete Burak, VP of Renewal Ministries, as we delve into the depths of our truest selves to discover "Our Deepest Identity" Thursday, Feb. 15 at the Pinnacle1772 Indian Wood Circle, Maumee, OH 43537 Register online at https://CBNPeteBurak.eventbrite.com.

Rich Cronin, president and owner of Perrysburg Auto Mall, and Dianne Keil-Hipp, COO of Knight Insurance Group, share how recognition as a Top Workplace in the region benefits their business, their employees and their customer experiences.

Catholic Charities Diocese of Toledo achieves Top Workplaces 2024 honor by The Toledo Blade Top Workplaces.

“What a great accomplishment for every member our agency!" says Rodney Schuster, Executive Director of Catholic Charities Diocese of Toledo. "This recognition is so deserving of a team that selflessly gives of themselves to help improve and change the lives of the men, women, and children we serve. It is a honor and a blessing to serve with so many dedicated people and be recognized by Energage and The Blade!”

David Litzenberg promotes our upcoming Feb. 15 Catholic Business Network breakfast event with Pete Burak, Renewal Ministries, and this encore broadcast of Fr. John Riccardo's inspiring talk, "Are You A Thermometer or Thermostat?"

Catholic Charities Diocese of Toledo and Saint Patrick Catholic Church in Bryan, OH, are partnering to bring the agency’s crisis navigation services to Williams County residents. Office space will be provided by the Bryan parish and funds from the Diocesan “Living Christ” Campaign will provide funding for the hiring of a Crisis Navigator. This full-time Catholic Charities staff member will provide case management services, budget tools, life skills support, and resources and referrals to parish families and residents of Williams County.

Catholic Charities Student for Life Coordinator Allison Stump and Kevin Jorrey, Office of Life and Justice Director, share highlights of the recent March for Life, along with other participants from the Diocese of Toledo. In the final segment, Dawn Fitzpatrick, the New National Executive Director of the March for Life, shares highlights and plans moving forward.

Catholic Charities Crisis Navigators in Erie, Lucas, and Richland Counties discuss the top current needs for families and Dana Walsh, Catholic Charities Program Director of Social Services discusses crisis navigator services coming to Saint Patrick's Catholic Church in Bryan, Ohio. Then Colin Miller, Director of Pastoral Care and Outreach at the Church of the Assumption and founder of The Center for Catholic Social Thought in St. Paul, MN, shares their ministries focused on Catholic Social Teaching.

Dana Walsh, Catholic Charities Program Director of Social Services discusses Catholic Charities Adult Advocacy Services program. Next up, Allison Stump, Catholic Charities Students for Life Coordinator, and Kevin Jorrey, Office for Life and Justice Director, talk about the upcoming March for Life in Washington, D.C. January 19. In the final segment, Father Brian Thomas Becket Mullady O.P. discusses Catholic Social Teachings and his book, Christian Social Order.

The need for services has never been greater. Our homeless shelters are full. Our crisis navigators and community emergency services folks report the need for housing assistance is at an all time high!

Helping Hands of St. Louis is serving record high numbers of hot meals daily, nearly 5,000 meals last month! Over the past three months 3,000 individuals turned to our Clothing Center for winter clothing and needed household items -- an all-time high! The number seeking food from the HHSL Food Pantry is up 41%, and our HOPE Pantry in Mansfield is seeing increases as well. The need for your financial support has never been greater!

2024 Respect Life Initiatives - Post Passage of Ohio State Issue 1. Host Rodney Schuster welcomes Peter Range, Ohio Right to Life CEO, Kevin Jorrey, our Office for Life and Justice Director and Allison Stump, our Students for Life Coordinator, and Stephen Billy, Vice President of State Affairs at SBA Pro-Life America, who shares legislative policy updates and initiatives in other states.

Rodney Schuster, Catholic Charities Diocese of Toledo's Executive Director, and Jen Lippus, Catholic Charities Development Director discuss top critical needs for our ministries right now. Both our La Posada Family Emergency Shelter and Miriam House, our transitional shelter for homeless women and their children, are full. Helping Hands of St. Louis is feeding record high numbers of individuals daily in our dining room and through our Food Pantry. All need food inventories re-stocked through in-kind donations or financial support https://catholiccharitiesnwo.org/how-to-help/donate.html

Oregon Meijer's Holiday Simply Give! Campaign runs through Sat., Dec. 30, 2023. All proceeds support Helping Hands of St. Louis hot meal and pantry programs that provide food to over 1,000 people each week.

Our Project Bethlehem coordinators share their efforts: Jen Voight, Permanent Supportive Housing Program Coordinator, Willi Meyer, Activities and Facilities Manager at La Posada Family Emergency Shelter, and Sue Shrewsbery, Director of Helping Hands of St. Louis, Laurie Hamrick, Community Emergency Services Case Manager in Mansfield, and Breanna Mantz, Program Coordinator Huron County Community Emergency Services and Miriam House, our transitional shelter for homeless women and their children.

Willi Meyer, Activities and Facilities Manager at La Posada Family Emergency Shelter, and Breanna Mantz, Program Coordinator Huron County Community Emergency Services and Miriam House, our transitional shelter for homeless women and their children Christmas needs of Catholic Charities Diocese of Toledo's homeless shelters in Toledo and Norwalk. Volunteers and sponsors are welcomed to help the families celebrate the season by preparing and serving meals and helping with the fun activities being planned.

Make your reservations online for our next Catholic Business Network (CBN) event. Fr. John Riccardo, presents "Three Essential Principles To Be Used In The Corporate World" on Thursday, December 7, 2023 at the Pinnacle, 1772 Indian Wood Circle, Maumee, OH. Register online at https://FatherJohnCBN.eventbrite.com

A record 4,884 hot, freshly prepared meals were served at Helping Hands of St. Louis last month. In the past three months, over 3,000 individuals turned to our Helping Hands Clothing Center for winter clothing and needed household items. The number relying on our Helping Hands Pantry for food is up 41 percent! All record highs! The need for services and the need for financial support has never been greater. Please make your online gift today!

Jennifer Lippus, Development Director, shares why you should support Catholic Charities ministries now through Nov. 28 #GivingTuesday. A $20,000 Matching Gift by a generous donor will match your donations dollar for dollar! Laurie Hamrick, Catholic Charities Community Emergency Services Case Manager in Richland County, shares homeless continues to rise and that rent assistance funds are desperately needed to prevent people from becoming homeless.

Traditional Thanksgiving dinners will be prepared and served at Helping Hands of St. Louis. The free dine-in meals will be served between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 21 at Helping Hands of St. Louis, 443 Sixth St., Toledo.

“Saint John XXIII Catholic Community volunteers are preparing hundreds of turkey dinners with all the fixings,” says Sue Shrewsbery, Director of Helping Hands of St. Louis. “In years past, we’ve served upwards of 350 people and our guests really look forward to our holiday dinners each year for the food and also the fellowship.”

Peter Range, Chief Executive Officer of Ohio Right to Life, encourages Ohioans to vote no on State Issue 1 and Catholic Charities new Opportunity Kitchen Chef Lynn Sheehan and Program Coordinator Byron Wynn discuss the success of this skills-driven immersion into the commercial food industry on "Faith Alive."

Bishop Daniel E. Thomas is the principal Celebrant and Homilist at a Mass for Giving Thanks to God for the Gift of Human Life to be celebrated to protect the dignity of all human life in view of the November 7 vote. This Mass will be celebrated on Monday, Nov. 6 at St. Francis de Sales Chapel, 501 Cherry Street, Toledo at Noon.

Host Rodney Schuster welcomes Kevin Jorrey, Director of the Office for Life and Justice, and Allison Stump, Catholic Charities Students for Life Coordinator, who along with Bishop Daniel E. Thomas are urging no votes on Issue One. Savannah Marten, Executive Director of Bella Vita Network that includes the Toledo Pregnancy Center, Soul Purpose and the Haven, shares how Issue One affects their ministries.

“This year we provided nearly 500 winter coats to individuals, and hats, gloves and winter boots,” says Sue Shrewsbery, Director of Helping Hands of St. Louis. Gently used winter boots, especially men's sizes 10 and up and men’s socks, children’s boots, and warm coats, hats and gloves for all are continually needed. Donations are accepted at Helping Hands of St. Louis Clothing Center from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays - Fridays.

"Faith Alive" Host Rodney Schuster, Executive Director of Catholic Charities Diocese of Toledo, welcomes Sandusky resident Jennifer Lippus, Catholic Charities new Development Director. In the final segment, Rodney interviews Marie Kenyon J.D., Director, Office of Peace & Justice, Archdiocese of St. Louis.

This week on "Faith Alive," Deacon Mike Oles, founder of the national Off The Streets ministry, and Deacon Ed Irelan, Catholic Charities Jail & Prison Ministry Coordinator, share how the work of both "Off the Streets Toledo" and Catholic Charities Jail and Prison Ministries are transforming lives in the Diocese of Toledo. A second Off the Streets chapter in the Diocese of Toledo is now underway in Van Wert, OH.

Thanks to all who attended the 2nd Annual “Faith in Blue” Food Drive + Tailgate held at Central Catholic High School, Friday, Oct. 13. Over 1.5 tons of non-perishable food items were collected to benefit Helping Hands of St. Louis, a soup kitchen and food pantry which has operated for more than 40 years in Toledo.

Breanna Mantz, Catholic Charities Program Coordinator for Huron County Community Emergency Services (CES) ministry and Miriam House, a transitional shelter for homeless women and their children. Susan Shrewsbery, Director of Helping Hands of St. Louis shares the need for coat donations and volunteers for their upcoming Winter Coat Fest, on Saturday, October 21.

In the final segment of the program, Meghan Clark, Ph.D., associate professor of moral theology at St. John's University, discusses charitable justice fieldwork in East Africa and women religious, highlighting why Catholic development work is distinctive.

"Have the courage to speak your convictions, in your workplace, home, neighborhood or parish," Bishop Thomas stressed. "But speak the truth charitably, with love." His video on the actual language of Issue 1 reveals "just how extreme, dangerous, and unacceptable this proposed amendment is."

Applications for Catholic Charities Diocese of Toledo's Century Farm Awards should be submitted no later than Tues., Oct. 10, 2023. This award honors Catholic families who have maintained a farm or homestead within their family for at least 100 years in the Diocese of Toledo. Bishop Daniel E. Thomas will celebrate a Mass honoring Century Farm Award recipients at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, 307 N. Locust Street, Ottawa, OH. All are invited to attend this Mass celebration and the Awards Ceremony following the Mass!

2nd Annual “Faith in Blue” Food Drive on Oct. 13 at Central Catholic High School benefits Helping Hands of St. Louis. Guests include Tom Antonini, from the Diocese of Toledo, Lieutenant Jessica Meyer, from the Toledo Police Department and Byron Wynn, Catholic Charities Volunteer Coordinator. Non-perishable food items donated will benefit Helping Hands of St. Louis.

Father Fred Kammer, S.J., Director of the Jesuit Social Research Institute at Loyola University New Orleans, discusses aspects of his first book, "Doing Faith Justice: An Introduction to Catholic Social Thought."

The Most Reverend Daniel E. Thomas, Bishop of the Diocese of Toledo, speaks on “Having Courage to Discuss Moral Issues In The Workplace” at our Oct. 5 Catholic Business Network breakfast at Saint John XXIII Roncalli Hall. Register online at https://CatholicBusinessNetwork.eventbrite.com.

Veronica LeGuire, Sidewalk Advocate Coordinator, discussing the 40 Days for Life campaign that starts Wednesday, Sept. 27 + runs through Sunday, Nov. 5. Dave Litzenberg, Catholic Business Network chair, talks about upcoming CBN events, starting with Bishop Daniel E. Thomas' talk on Thursday, Oct. 5 at Saint John XXIII. Invite a friend and register online at https://CatholicBusinessNetwork.eventbrite.com. In the final segment, Robert M. Whaples, Hough Family Faculty Fellow and Professor of Economics, Wake Forest University, discusses his latest book, “Is Social Justice Just?”

Host Rodney Schuster interviews Bishop Daniel E. Thomas on his urging to vote no on Issue One, and Kevin Jorrey, Director of the Office for Life and Justice, shares prayer and fasting efforts to help achieve the desired result in voting against the issue.

Dr. Michael Naughton, professor and holder of the Koch Endowed Chair in Catholic Studies at the University of St. Thomas, speaks on the dignity of work.

Allison Stump, Catholic Charities Students for Life Coordinator, shares upcoming plans, including the Ohio March for Life, Friday, October 6 in Columbus, and National March for Life, Friday, January 19, 2024. Deacon Omar Gutierrez, President and co-founder of the Evangelium Institute - Omaha discusses Catholic Social Teaching and discernment for each individual.

Catholic Charities Diocese of Toledo is collecting and forwarding all donations for Maui disaster relief effort dollar for dollar to our sister Catholic Charities agency in Maui, Hawaii. Go to our secure website www.catholiccharitiesnwo.org noting Maui Relief as your donation designation.

Kevin Jorrey, Office for Life & Justice Director, discusses the 40 Days for Life campaign that starts Sept. 27 and runs through Nov. 5. Carolyn Schnapp, Clothing Center Coordinator at Helping Hands of St. Louis shares what donations are needed for the upcoming Winter Coat Fest on Oct. 21. Monsignor Martin Schlag, professor at the University of St. Thomas, discusses how subsidiarity and Catholic Social Teaching can improve health care outcomes in the United States.

Deacon Phil Dinovo and Tom Lucas, Catholic Charities Erie Couunty Program Coordinator, discuss the community meals offered at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Sandusky, Ohio. Chris Kramer, a parishioner who helps manage St. Pat Heatherdowns Parish Food Pantry, shares future plans for feeding the community.

“We are blessed to have the support of the community to enable us to host an event like this!” says Susan Shrewsbery, Director of Helping Hands of St. Louis, noting this was their largest turnout ever. “This was truly a living example of the Helping Hands of Christ reaching out into our community! Your Helping Hands are the reason we exist and we couldn't do what we do without you!”

Sue Shrewsbery, Director of Helping Hands of St. Louis, discusses this parish ministry's evolution to a model of Catholic Social Teaching, serving hundreds of people daily with a hot meal, food pantry, clothing center, community garden and so much more! Author Mark P. Shea, discusses the roots of Catholic social teaching in Scripture and Tradition and gives simple, practical examples of how it works in ordinary life.

Catholic Charities Diocese of Toledo is collecting and forwarding all donations for this disaster relief effort dollar for dollar to our sister Catholic Charities agency in Maui, Hawaii. You may donate on our secure website, noting Maui Relief as your donation designation.

Checks made out to Catholic Charities Diocese of Toledo, with a notation designating Maui Relief, can be mailed to Catholic Charities Diocese of Toledo, 1933 Spielbusch Ave., Toledo, OH 43604. Thank you for compassionately supporting those in need!

Willi Meyer, Facilities and Activities Manager at La Posada Family Emergency Shelter, discusses their "Back-to-School Stop-in" event on Wednesday, August 9. Sue Shrewsberry, Director of Helping Hands of St. Louis, then discusses the 10th Annual Helping Hands Shoe Fest on Saturday, August 12. Deacon Bill Scholl, Social Justice Consultant with the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas discusses Subsidiarity as it relates to Catholic Social Teaching.

Helping Hands of St. Louis’ 10th Annual Shoe Fest will be Saturday, August 12. “We are looking for donations and volunteers,” says Sue Shrewsbery. “Last year we gave away over 700 pairs of shoes. We focus on East Toledo families, but no child will be turned away, if we have their shoe size.” New and gently used children's books are also needed.

Donations of backpacks and school supplies are needed for La Posada Family Shelter's Back-to-School Stop-In event on Wednesday, August 9. Families currently residing at La Posada Emergency Shelter, house guests from this past year, and those living in Permanent Supportive Housing from Catholic Charities Diocese of Toledo will have lunch and their children receive needed backpacks filled with age-appropriate school supplies.