The Ignatian Volunteer Corps of San Diego held their Evening of Gratitude and Madonna Della Strada Award on Sunday, March 31, 2019. The evening began with Eucharist in St. Catherine Labouré Church followed by a sold-out reception, dinner and award ceremony in the St. Catherine Labouré hall. The delicious dinner was prepared and presented by The French Gourmet and music was performed by Pop Nouveau. Menard Family Foundation Director Barbara Menard served as “MC” for the evening and regaled the audience with her Pope Francis jokes. The Sheila O’Malley Vision and Dedication Award was presented to two couples: Pat and Ken Doyle and Ginger and Bob Infantino. Both couples have served IVC many years and are dedicated members of St. Catherine Labouré parish. The Della Strada Award was presented to Sr. Carmel Lohan, RSM, an Irish Sister of Mercy who arrived in San Diego in 1977 and has taught at Our Lady of Grace School and then brought her passion for pastoral care to work with homeless persons as chaplain at St. Vincent de Paul Village serving thousands of children, women and men with humor and kindness as well as serving as spiritual counselor for Cursillo.
