Catholic Council Hosts 82nd Communion Mass and Breakfast

On Sunday, April 30, 2017, the Catholic Council of Electrical Workers celebrated their 82nd Annual Communion Mass and Breakfast Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and was officiated by Catholic Council Chaplain Father Brian Jordan. Following Mass, the Sword of Light Pipe Band led the nearly one thousand members in attendance, in procession to the Sheraton Hotel for the Scholarship Breakfast.
Catholic Council President Michael Loreto opened the program after the introduction of the Dais. He thanked the many committee members who worked diligently on this affair under the direction of Chairman Daniel Higgins. Michael then introduced the Breakfast Toastmaster, Business Representative and Club Advisor Bill Hofving.
This year’s honoree, “Man of the Year,” Business Representative John Baker, was introduced by James Baker Esq., John’s older brother. James echoed the Catholic Council’s lauding of Brother Baker. Following in the footsteps of his father, Joe Baker Sr. and his elder siblings, John quickly advanced through the industry as journeyman, foreman and general foreman. Baker later served as shop steward at Madison Square Garden before his appointment as business representative by Business Manager Erikson. Including but not limited to his duties as business representative, John represents the ‘M’ Division, the Sign Division and is the managing editor of the ‘Union World.’
John graciously and humbly accepted the famed ‘Man of the Year’ award by thanking the Council for their recognition of his accomplishments. Baker credited and honored his family and the IBEW for his success and life accomplishments.
The highlight of the Breakfast centers on the scholarships awarded to the young men and women. The Catholic Council Scholarship, known as the Fr. Pat Morris Scholarship, is named in honor or memory of an outstanding member. This year was no exception as the scholarship was named in honor of John (Jack) Minogue, dear friend and stalwart of the Catholic Council, whose many years of outstanding service and dedication to Local 3 are greatly appreciated. Jack humbly and gracious accepted the award, introduced his family and thanked the Catholic Council. Kevin Flynn read Jack’s biography, then introduced the recipients of the Scholarships. They were Grace Cirella, Leila Pellegrino and Jessica Haney.
Bill Hofving then introduced Scholarship Chairman Kevin Munro who awarded the 34th Terence Cardinal Cooke Memorial Scholarship to Annaliese Roller, daughter of Donna and Dennis Roller. The 28th Robert A. Reddy Post-Graduate Scholarship, administered by Robert A. Reddy Jr. was awarded to Alexandra DelPrete, daughter of Joy and Kevin Munro. Munro congratulated all the scholarship recipients on behalf of the Catholic Council, thanked and acknowledged the sacrifices the members have made to ensure the success of the Scholarship program.
The Catholic Council was honored to have as our guest speaker, New York City Central Labor Council President Vincent Alvarez. Vinny, as a Local 3 member, volunteered his time for the NYCCLC coordinating hundreds of labor mobilization and campaign events on behalf of the federation’s affiliates. President Alvarez congratulated the Catholic Council and its scholarship recipients, citing the good works and encouraging the students to remain diligent and not forget the efforts and faith the labor movement have placed in them. The Catholic Council was honored and proud to have Brother Alvarez as our guest speaker and blessed to have him fighting for the rights of working men and women in this great city of ours.
In his closing remarks, Business Manager Erikson placed parallels between our faith and good unionism as we continue to strive to remember those less fortunate. Chris complimented and thanked Fr. Brian for his sermon at Mass and how it tied into all that organized labor and the Building Trades strive to accomplish for its members. Erikson reiterated Fr. Brian’s message of Pope Leo XIII’s Encyclical and Rerum Novarum, the Seven Principles of the Catholic Social Doctrine and its relevance to the growing disparity of wealth and greed that plague todays working class, union and non union alike.
In closing, the Business Manager thanked the membership for their continued support and stressed the importance of paying attention to the present political theater, not to be distracted by candidates posing as friends of the middle class carrying messages of fear and hate and most importantly not to forget those who have stood with organized labor all along.