St. Camillus Serves honored with a Treasures of the Church Award

On February 28th, the Order of St. Camillus and St. Camillus Serves were honored with a Treasures of the Church Award presented by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki at the Archdiocese and Catholic Charities Lenten Luncheon.  The award honors individuals, organizations and religious orders for their commitment and compassionate response to the poor in our midst.  

Nearly 200 people were on hand to see the award given to recognize the Order of St. Camillus for the creation of St. Camilllus Serves and to celebrate St. Camillus’ commitment to serving the poor, the sick and the elderly in our community through various efforts including:

• 7 outreach clinics at local income eligible senior living communities staffed by St. Camillus nurses
• A monthly resource clinic at St. John Neumann Parish for seniors in the Catholic community of Waukesha
• Monthly masses by Camillian priests at income eligible senior housing communities
• Volunteer efforts at Hunger Task Force to build 400 Senior Stock Boxes to fill the pantries of low income seniors
• Creation and delivery of 300 Care Kits filled with essential items for homebound seniors and seniors in need
• Creation of the 100 Visits program to mark Wisconsin’s Awareness Week for combatting loneliness and social isolation
• Teaming with Eras Senior Network to do fall yard clean up for local seniors in need.  

The award also recognized the commitment of Fr. Matthew Perumpil, a member of the Order of St. Camillus and Vice President of Mission Integration for St. Camillus who also serves as Pastor of Mother of Perpetual Help Parish in West Allis.  Seniors account for 70% of Fr. Matthew’s  parishioners and St. Camillus has also teamed up to provide wellness presentations, a Celebrate Seniors Lunch and other support.

Fr. Matthew and Kelly Gaglione, Director of Mission Initiatives and St. Camillus Serves, gave the acceptance speech focusing on how the award was both an honor and a challenge to increase our efforts to support underserved seniors in need in our community.

In the words of St. Camillus: “The poor and the sick are the heart of God.  By serving them, we serve Jesus the Christ.”