HOPES – (HELP OUR PARISH ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS)

The 31st Annual HOPES Dinner
 Sunday, September 28, 2008

The 31st Annual HOPES Dinner was held on Sunday, September 28, 2008 at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington, CT.  The evening provided the Archdiocese of Hartford with a wonderful opportunity to honor the volunteers who give so much time and talent to our Catholic schools.  This year 133 Volunteers of the Year from our Catholic elementary schools were recognized.  The Distinguished Friend of Catholic Schools, an award given annually to a person who has made an exceptional impact on a school and its Advancement program, was presented to Keith Breiner on behalf of St. Mary Magdalen School in Oakville.


Superintendent Dale R. Hoyt welcomes
guests to the HOPES Dinner


Dr. Regina Haney of the National Catholic Educational Association, addresses the crowd.
The guest speaker for this year's HOPES Dinner was Dr. Regina Haney, Executive Director of the Department of Boards and Councils of Catholic Education of the National Catholic Educational Association.  Over 600 people from 50 elementary schools enjoyed the festivities, including pastors, principals, honorees, school community members, family, Archdiocesan agency staffers, and members of the Archdiocesan School Board.  A special feature of this year’s event was the acknowledgement of the Archdiocesan School Board as an NCEA 2008 Outstanding Board.  Also announced at the HOPES Dinner was the 2008 – 2009 Archdiocesan Distinguished Elementary Pastor Award, presented to the Rev. Monsignor James G. Coleman of SS. Peter and Paul Parish in Waterbury .
The dinner is held in conjunction with the HOPES Collection, taken on the same weekend of September 27/28th in every parish of the Archdiocese of Hartford to benefit all elementary schools, with special support given to those city schools serving underprivileged families. HOPES Grants are then awarded through an application process, and determined according to specific criteria.  The collection also supports the Archdiocesan marketing campaign on behalf of all Catholic elementary schools.  The goal of the 2008 collection is $300,000.


Archbishop Henry J. Mansell speaks with HOPES attendees before the festivities begin.


To learn more about those recognized at the HOPES Dinner, click on the following:

 

Special Acknowledgements

Distinguished Friend of Catholic Schools 2008
Volunteers of the Year 2008