Helping Those in Need During this Christmas Season

A Message to Our Dear Friends of Catholic Charities

There’s no place like home for Christmas … the warmth of family and friends … a lovingly decorated Christmas tree … special meals and treats on the kitchen table.

With your support of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Wilmington, the most vulnerable in our community know some of the safety, security and comfort that home, food, friends and shelter brings.

From Catholic Charities’ Seton Center and our newest shelter, Bethany House in Princess Anne, Bayard House in Wilmington, Marydale Retirement Village in Newark, and Casa San Francisco in Milton, you can help us provide a safe haven and a sign of hope for those who have no other place to go.

We at Catholic Charities are so grateful for your willingness to answer Christ’s call to serve. And, we pray that you will take advantage of this opportunity to make a Christmas donation to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Wilmington during this Season of Giving.

Your generous Christmas gift to Catholic Charities will go immediately to help someone in desperate need and provide Christmas blessings to:

…our first ever resident at our new shelter, Bethany House, who came to us with her 8-year-old son. She was so desperate to do what was best for her child that she was prepared to put her child into foster care so he wouldn’t have to sleep on the street.

…an ill, elderly woman like Charlotte who arrived at Casa San Francisco from a local hospital after being treated and discharged for numerous complicated medical issues. Her illnesses are compounded by her advanced age, as well as being chronically homeless and literally living on the streets.

…a Marydale resident who took a fall and seriously injured his eye and needed help to see a doctor and receive a new walker. He recently needed to make the move to Medicaid healthcare coverage, and Marydale staff assisted him with the complicate application process.

Because of your charitable and generous donations, families and individuals can call on Catholic Charities in their time of need. They turn to us when they have no one else to turn to...when friends and family cannot help...and when government aid is insufficient. Because of your support, we can be there for them when no one else can.

With Christmas approaching, we ask you to give as generously as possible to Catholic Charities. Your timely support can make a significant difference in their lives.

Thank you for your generosity. And may God bless you at Christmas and in the year ahead.

Yours in Christ,

Ruth Anne White

Executive Director, Catholic Charities

Diocese of Wilmington

Through your donations, we provide faith-based critical direct care human services

 to individuals and families in Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

To mail a donation, please make your check payable to Catholic Charities,

Diocese of Wilmington, and mail to P.O. Box 2030, Wilmington, DE 19899-2030.

The Catholic Diocese of Wilmington is a 501(c)(3) religious institution.

Your gift to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Wilmington is tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.

Bishop Koenig, race participants, volunteers, friends and families enjoyed the Bishop’s 5K Walk/Run at Saint Mark’s High School on Saturday, Nov. 23.

The Annual Bishop’s 5K Supports Catholic Charities

More than 250 participants on Nov. 23 for the annual Bishop’s 5K Run/Walk at Saint Mark’s High School on a brilliant, chilly morning in Pike Creek. The event raised more than $20,000 for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Wilmington.

The overall winner was Abner Murillo, age 17 and his sister, Natalie Murillo, was the fastest female finisher. Abner broke the tape at 18:02 and Natalie crossed the line at 21:54. They are both students at Saint Mark’s High School. Bishop Koenig and Bishop Emeritus Malooly were on-site supporting all participants.

Team Spirit Awards - Given to the Top Three Schools with the Most Registered Participants:

1st Place - 68 participants - $1,000 for Saint Mark’s High School

2nd Place - 40 participants - $500 for St. Edmond’s Academy

3rd Place - 22 participants - $250 for St. Ann School

For a complete listing of the Overall Fusion Race Timing results, click here.

Special Thanks to our Bishop's 5K Race Legacy Sponsors, Rocco and Mary Abessinio, for their strong and lasting commitment and support to Catholic Charities.

We also give special thanks to Fusion Racing; Saint Mark’s High School for use of their pavilion and grounds; Knights of Columbus volunteers; Student Volunteers; and all of our Sponsors for making the 2024 Bishop’s 5K Race a huge success!



Thank you 2024 Bishop’s 5K Sponsors!

Get to know us better!



In this month’s issue, we introduce you to a Member of the Board of Directors of Catholic Charities.

Meet MARK OLLER

Hello! I’ve been on Catholic Charities’ Board since 2016 and recently became the Chair of the Finance Committee. I’m on the Board because I’m passionate about helping those in our community who are in need. 

More broadly, I’ve been involved with a wide variety of industry, governmental, and non-profit entities for over 25 years. Along with my wife and two children, I am a member of St. Mary Magdalen Parish. Professionally, I’m the Delaware Trust Executive for U.S. Trust Company of Delaware where I lead a team of over 40 professionals who provide trust services to wealthy families across the nation.

Mark (red shirt) participated in the Bishop's 5K Race and was a winner of his age group last year.

Thank You to the Community, Friends & Staff for Food Baskets, Coats & Cheer for Families In-Need

Pictured: (Left) Ric Lindell, Maintenance Supervisor, and Joanne Varnes, CACFP Program Manager, assemble Thanksgiving food baskets. (Middle) Ruth Anne White, Catholic Charities Executive Director, and Joanne Varnes, gather turkeys and holiday food baskets. (Right) Rob Connor, Financial Analyst, and Porsha Harvey, Basic Needs Program Manager, show decorative food baskets and totes.

The remarkable teamwork of Catholic Charities employees and Board members organized over 30 Thanksgiving baskets filled with turkeys and all of the traditional goodies for families to share during the holiday! 

Our Basic Needs Program provided many Thanksgiving baskets for the community to enjoy this holiday.

Some families also received warm winter coats to wear during this chilly season from our partnership with Operation Warm.

High School students from St. Elizabeth High School’s “Vikings in Action” club conducted a food drive across the school campus to bring awareness to hunger in our community and also help "Stock the new Wilmington Food Pantry" at Catholic Charities.

Thank you to everyone

who contributed to our Thanksgiving Food Drive!

The Student Council at St. Francis oversaw a two week competition to bring in as many items as possible for Seton Center for Thanksgiving distribution. Several times a week, the members went from room to room to collect items brought in, and count them. On November 22, volunteers and staff loaded the food items into two pick-up trucks. We are so thankful for the Knights of Columbus who have helped us transport the last two years!

A big heartfelt Thank You to the Knights of Columbus of St. John the Beloved for your generous “Coats for Kids” Program donations!

The warm apparel was donated to Catholic Charities for our Bayard House families.

A big Thank You goes to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Chi Eta Phi Registered Nurse Sorority for the Baby Wellness workshop, gift cards, Bingo, prizes and dinner!

Catholic Charities at Seton Center would like to give a huge shout out to Avenue United Methodist Church for their generous donation of men’s boxer briefs, t-shirts and socks. Thank you to all in the congregation who donated! We truly appreciate you!

Highmark Bright Blue Futures Rising Star Award

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware honored Catholic Charities with a Highmark Bright Blue Futures Rising Star Award for Catholic Charities’ proposal and impactful work in advancing health equity through Bayard House.



Pictured (Right) Stacy Brooks, Bayard House Program Manager. Ten Rising Star awardees were selected from PA, NY, WV and DE.

Thank You to Our Supporters & Partners!

Rocco and Mary Abessinio

Applied Bank

Bank of America

Delaware Community Foundation

Delaware State Housing Authority

 DuPont

Catholic Charities USA

Citizens Bank

City of Wilmington

Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore

Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh

Fund for Women at the Delaware Community Foundation

Highmark Delaware Fund of the Delaware Community Foundation

Laffey-McHugh Foundation

Maryland Food Bank

New Castle County Department of Community Services

Raskob Foundation

Somerset County Commissioners

State of Delaware - DSCYF & DHSS

Sussex County Council

United Way of Delaware

United Way of Lower Eastern Shore

Welfare Foundation, Inc.



Catholic Charities serves the most vulnerable in Delaware and the 

Eastern Shore of Maryland, regardless of religion, race, or ability to pay.

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Catholic Charities Vision

Inspired by the Gospel, Catholic Charities exists to empower people, support families and transform communities by bringing God’s message of love and hope to all, with a particular emphasis on the poor and marginalized.

Catholic Charities Mission

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Wilmington compassionately serves all people in their times of vulnerability. We offer services to alleviate human suffering, and advocate for strong, healthy and vibrant communities across Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

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No person is excluded from service because of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, or national origin.

© 2024 - Catholic Charities - Diocese of Wilmington

501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization