A long-time advocate for St. John Vianney Center in Philadelphia, Archbishop William E. Lori was given the center’s first-ever Ambassador Award May 8 during its 80th anniversary breakfast.
The center, a behavioral health service, works with clergy, consecrated men and women religious and clergy of other Christian denominations from all around the world who are struggling in their ministries and lives, according to Deacon Jim Friend, director of mission advancement for the center.
Archbishop Lori was recognized for “his ongoing commitment to the health and wellness of his priests,” according to David Shellenberger, the center’s president and CEO, adding that the archbishop supported priests “emotionally, physically and spiritually.”
Deacon Friend said the archbishop’s “hospitality, his open-door policy and the way he cares” for his priests made him “an overall advocate for the work we do.”
Father James Proffit, vicar for clergy for the Archdiocese of Baltimore, attended the breakfast with the archbishop. He commented that the archbishop “has championed priestly wellness and nurturing a positive relationship with the priests” by being a “stable presence at archdiocesan events” and he is a “regular presence” at the annual priests’ retreat, days of prayer and other priestly gatherings.
The archbishop also visits priests when they are admitted to the hospital, and he personally calls them when he is aware a priest is going through a challenging time, Father Proffit said.
“He knows not just of his priests; he knows his priests, and takes very seriously his role as fatherly figure and guiding shepherd, leading with graciousness and gentleness,” Father Proffitt said.
The breakfast ceremony was one of the center’s first, as it was previously under the Archdiocese of Philadelphia before it became independent in 2020 and is now governed by a board of directors. One-hundred seventy people raised $105,000 for the center’s Our Lady of Hope Scholarship Fund, which provides financial assistance to those in need of their services, Friend said.
“Not bad for a first event,” Deacon Friend said. “Mental health is much more accepted. Take care of yourself.”
Others recognized at the breakfast were Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Mary Ellen Tennity with the Mission Award; Mercedes McCann, Saint John Vianney Center employee, Outstanding Service Award; and Albert R. Riviezzo, Saint John Vianney Center board chair, Outstanding Champion Award.
Email Katie V. Jones at kjones@CatholicReview.org
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