NEW YORK - The relief organization, Hope For A Healthier Humanity, held their 2008 Humanitarian Award Dinner on Thursday, October 30th, during which, they presented His Eminence Oscar Cardinal Rodriguez Maradiaga, S.D.B., with the 2008 Humanitarian of the Year Award.

 

Several friars of our Province were in attendance as guests.  Among them, Provincial Minister Robert Campagna, Vicar Provincial Patrick Boyle, and Friars John Scarangello, Joseph Lorenzo, James Goode and Ron Bolfeta. John and Joseph were there as New York City pastors (Friar Fabian Griffone was also invited to attend).  Jim was in attendance along with Madeline Bonnici because of their work for the Franciscan Missions.  Also among the guests was, His Eminence, Sean Cardinal O'Malley, Archbishop of Boston. Cardinal Sean officially presented the award to Cardinal Rodriguez.
 
Cardinal Rodriguez was given their Humanitarian of the Year Award for his tremendous humanitarian efforts in Central America. As a non-profit, charitable organization, Hope for a Healthier Humanity is committed to assisting the developing world achieve improved healthcare delivery. They collaborate with governments and other community based organizations as they strive to refine their skills in managing healthcare organizations and systems. HHH is committed to the philosophy of mobilizing professional volunteers in all aspects of healthcare delivery, to assist with foreign mission programs, thereby reducing the costs of providing assistance to the developing third world.

 

As a Province, we first became aware of this organization and their work, through Cardinal Rodriguez a number of years ago, according to the Vicar Provincial. "Following one of the many natural disasters in Central America, we had collected boxes and boxes of medical supplies from our doctors here in the city, but had problems getting them into the country, and more importantly, we had problems getting them to the poor who needed them most. HHH would come and pick up the supplies that were donated to us, packed them up and got them to Central America." Patrick said.

 

In his remarks, Cardinal Rodriguez highlighted his good relationship with our Province.  Referring to Fr. Provincial as "my Provincial," Cardinal Rodriguez told those gathered how happy he was to be in the presence of his Franciscan family. "He spoke about wanting to be a Franciscan and how it was the Franciscan's who were the first to bring the Gospel to his country and that the first martyrs of Honduras were 2 Franciscans.  He also praised the work our Province has done," said Fr. Provincial. 

 

Congratulations Cardinal Rodriguez!