2025 Annual Celebration
Award Winners

Individual Award

Patricia & Robert Mincel

AmeriCorps Seniors Volunteers — married 50+ years, still serving side by side

• Fish & Loaves Food Pantry, Taylor
• Berwyn Senior Center, Dearborn Heights
• Meals on Wheels — 2,000+ recipients
• Knights of Columbus
• Wreaths Across America
• Church of the Divine Child, Dearborn

"Helping others is the right thing to do." — Bob Mincel

As members of the AmeriCorps Seniors Retired and Senior Volunteer Program at Catholic Charities, Patricia and Robert Mincel volunteer regularly at multiple locations, including Fish and Loaves Community Food Pantry in Taylor and the Berwyn Senior Center in Dearborn Heights, where they help compile Meals on Wheels correspondence for over 2,000 meal recipients throughout Wayne County.

Married for more than 50 years, Bob and Pat raised four children and are proud grandparents of ten. Active parishioners at Church of the Divine Child in Dearborn, their lives are a testament to faith, compassion, and unwavering commitment to serving others. Bob, a U.S. Army veteran and General Motors retiree, also serves with the Knights of Columbus and Wreaths Across America. Pat, a retired teacher and former Girl Scout leader, teaches catechism, serves as a church greeter, and is active in the St. Vincent de Paul Society at Divine Child. Their commitment to community has inspired their own children to follow in their footsteps.

Parish Award

St. Matthew Catholic Church

Detroit’s East Side — faith made visible in brick, mortar, and welcome

• Fr. Duane Novelly
• The Residences at St. Matthew
• Permanent Supportive Housing
• Affordable Housing, Detroit East Side
• Saints of the Lake Family of Parishes

The parish community of St. Matthew Catholic Church has exemplified what it means to be a true partner in the mission of mercy. Under the dedicated leadership of Fr. Duane Novelly, the parish collaborated with Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan to transform their former school building into The Residences at St. Matthew — a vibrant new community offering permanent supportive and affordable housing on Detroit’s east side.

Fr. Novelly’s careful stewardship of the building during the years it sat vacant kept it in good condition and provided a solid foundation for redevelopment. His deep roots in the neighborhood allowed him to bridge vital relationships, introducing local leaders, stakeholders, and residents to a shared vision grounded in compassion and faith. The parishioners of St. Matthew embraced this transition with grace, hospitality, and open arms — making their parish a true embodiment of the Gospel call to welcome the stranger, shelter the homeless, and love our neighbor.

Organization Award

Ladies of Charity

Oakland County Association — 300 women, one mission, ten years of Christmas Angels

• 30 Families Adopted Annually
• La Casa Amiga Christmas Angel Program
• St. Hugo of the Hills Parish, Bloomfield Hills
• 300+ Volunteer Members
• 40+ Partner Agencies
• Founded 1965

Each year for at least the past ten years, the Ladies of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul Oakland County Association has adopted 30 client families from Catholic Charities’ La Casa Amiga Christmas Angel program. The ladies provide presents for all family members, along with cleaning supplies and gift cards to purchase groceries for their holiday meals.

Founded in 1965 as a branch of the international apostolate serving the corporal and spiritual needs of the poor, the all-volunteer Oakland County chapter today includes more than 300 women. Operating from space provided by St. Hugo of the Hills Parish in Bloomfield Hills, they run a clothing closet and food pantry and partner with more than 40 area social service agencies — spreading a message of hope and a welcome feeling of support throughout the community.