Inaugural Sr. Kathleen Moroney Legal Service Award Luncheon is May 31

Intermountain Catholic

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BSALT LAKE CITY — Holy Cross Sister Kathleen Moroney retired last year after 17 years at Holy Cross Ministries, where she founded the organization’s Legal Immigration Program. It began as a department of one, but in 2016 the nine people working there served more than 1,500 clients.

In honor of her contributions, Holy Cross Ministries has organized the Sr. Kathleen Moroney Legal Service Award Luncheon.

“Having worked with Sr. Kathleen for three years in the immigration department at HCM, I can attest to her dedication to the people who were in need,” said Holy Cross Sister Verónica Fajardo. “She always was very good at working with others in the community who were supporters of immigrant rights.  She collaborated well with them. She is a woman of great compassion. She continues to support social justice by being in the Congregation Justice Committee and speaking on behalf of those who are in need. The Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross is getting ready to vote on a corporate stand which focuses on the Migration of Peoples around the World.  She has always been an advocate for those who are vulnerable.  It is great this award was created under her name to recognize the work of those who continue in advocating for immigrants and their rights.”

With the Legal Immigration Program, Sr. Kathleen addressed an unmet need in the community, said Aden Batar, director of Catholic Community Services of Utah’s Immigration and Refugee Resettlement Program. Batar worked with Sr. Kathleen when she sought his advice as she was first starting out with the Legal Immigration Program, he said. At that time Holy Cross Ministries rented space from CCS, and Batar and Sr. Kathleen worked in the same building, he said.

The two organizations are the largest provider of immigration services in the state, and the work that they do “is lifesaving for individuals that came here to work hard and provide for their families. Family unity is what is important us,” he said.

“I think over the years … she touched so many lives and helped a lot of people get their legal status,” Batar said, adding that he thinks it’s important that Sr. Kathleen be acknowledged for her contributions to the community.

The luncheon will recognize people who continue to do work that reflects Sr. Kathleen’s mission, said Batar, who is on the committee that is organizing the luncheon.   

Three awards will be presented to recipients who reflect Holy Cross Ministries’ “vision for just, compassionate, sustainable, and inclusive communities,” according to the event description. The awards will be the Philanthropic Firm of the Year Award, the Innovative Agency of the Year and the Moroney Legal Service Award.

WHAT: Sr. Kathleen Moroney Legal Service Award Luncheon

WHEN: Thursday, May 31, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: the Leonardo Museum, 209 East 500 South, Salt Lake City

COST: VIP Reception Ticket package, $50; luncheon only, $30

The VIP reception will begin at 11 a.m. The general admission luncheon will start at noon. Tickets are tax deductible; proceeds will benefit Holy Cross Ministries’ legal services. For tickets, visit  http://hcmutah.org/sister-kathleen-moroney-legal-service-award-luncheon/. For information, contact Patricia Sanders, psanders@hcmutah.org or 801-261-3440 ext 246 or Maria Mullahi, mmullahi@hcmutah.org or 801-261-3440 ext 131.