Corazón a Corazón | School Sisters of Notre Dame

Sister Miriam Patrick Cummings, SSND - Catholic Charities Honors

**(Clockwise from top) Sisters Miriam Patrick; Deborah Cerullo, SSND Baltimore; Dorothy Marie Young, SSND Chicago; and Rose Cecile Espinos, SSND Chicago**

On Saturday, February 23, nearly 300 guests joined Catholic Charities South Suburban Regional Advisory Board at the Idlewild Country Club in Flossmoor for dinner, live music, and an awards presentation honoring local non-profit leader, Sister Miriam Patrick Cummings, SSND of Corazón a Corazón in Blue Island, and the Thornton Township High School District 205 Student Board of Education.

Sister Miriam Patrick thanked Catholic Charities and said, "the award belongs to my family - my religious family, parish family, Coràzon family, the long-time friends and the hundreds with whom and for whom I've ministered. You have taught me and formed me over the years and I am forever grateful."

CEO and President of Catholic Charities, Monsignor Michael Boland, said, “We are grateful to the community for their support of Catholic Charities and all those we serve.” “Let us all be inspired by the honorees who are shining examples of living out their faith to help others.”

The event raised more than $25,000 and will help meet the critical needs in the South Suburban region, including a food pantry, clothing room, Monday Evening Suppers, and assisting families with rent, utilities, and shelter.

More about the awards and honorees:

The Servant of God, Father Augustus Tolton Award is presented to a Catholic Priest, Sister, or religious organization that helps support Catholic Charities' mission in the South Suburbs of Chicago. Sister Miriam Patrick Cummings, SSND has been serving others for more than 50 years and is currently the Executive Director of Corazón a Corazón in Blue Island. Her journey to serve has allowed her to work, teach and grow with thousands of students, colleagues, families and friends.

The Compassion in Action Award honors individuals and groups who have made an extraordinary effort to alleviate the distress of those less fortunate. Thornton Township High School District 205 Student Board of Education is comprised of students from three high schools, has been instrumental in the success of Catholic Charities fall food drive in South Holland, and has helped support the Compassion in Action dinner annually.

Sister Miriam Patrick Cummings: A lifetime of service in Chicago

Sister Miriam Patrick Cummings says age is not a factor in ministry. She lives that mantra each day as the Executive Director of Corazón a Corazón in Blue Island, Illinois. She has served the Chicago-area as a School Sister of Notre Dame for more than 50 years but she doesn’t let age get in the way of her service.

Sister Gina

My name is Sister Marie Regine Redig, SSND. People more readily know me as Sister Gina, the name I use at Córazón. I’ve been here three years, enough time for me to grow in Córazón and for Córazón to grow in me; so much so that I find myself looking forward to Tuesdays, my day to tutor.