2022 New York Awards Dinner

The SOAR! Board of Directors cordially invite you to the

36th Annual New York Awards Gala

IT’S TIME TO CELEBRATE!

Wednesday, October 5, 2022

Reception 6:00 pm  | Dinner 7:00 pm

View Event Invitation

HONORING:

2022 SAINT ELIZABETH ANN SETON AWARD
John and Debra MacDonald

John and Debra grew up in Staten Island and attended Catholic school. Debra attended St. Joseph Hill Academy for 13 years and was taught by the Sisters of Divine Charity. John attended St. Charles School and Monsignor Farrell High School where he was taught by the Dominican Sisters, Christian Brothers and NY diocesan priests. John graduated from Fairfield University, a Jesuit University.

“We are appreciative of our Catholic education and thankful for the support and dedication of all the Sisters, Brothers, Priests and lay teachers who have contributed to our development over the years. We are grateful that we are able to make a small difference by contributing to such an impactful organization as SOAR.”

John recently retired as Chief Financial Officer of Bessemer Trust, where he was employed for 34 years. Prior to that he worked for Deloitte. Debra worked at Golf Digest and Tennis Magazine, which was part of the New York Times Magazine Group and later worked for the Freehold Township, New Jersey school system while raising three children. Debra taught CCD for 15 years, including several of those years co-teaching with each of their children. Debra also served as eucharistic minister at St Robert’s. John and Debra are also blessed with 5 healthy grandchildren.

2022 FATHER VICTOR YANITELLI, SJ AWARD
Sister Maryann Seton Lopiccolo, SC
Episcopal Delegate for Religious
Diocese of Brooklyn 

Sister Maryann Seton Lopiccolo is a Sister of Charity – Halifax, and a native Brooklynite who has an extensive background in education and administration. Currently, Sr. Maryann is the Episcopal Delegate for Religious in the Diocese of Brooklyn, a position she has held since 1998. In this role, she oversees religious Sisters and Brothers, religious order Priests and other members of Consecrated Life, especially those from International countries.

She also serves on many diocesan and national committees and is the current President of the National Conference of Vicars for Religious. Experienced in formation work, Sr Maryann has been involved in many facets of welcoming new members to religious life and assisting those in formation ministry. She has served as a consultant and speaker to many congregations throughout the United States.

She received a Masters in Religious Studies from Boston College and a Post Graduate Degree from Fordham University in Spirituality and Spiritual Direction.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Christiano, Director of Special Events at events@soar-usa.org.

2022 RITA HOFBAUER GRANT RECIPIENT
Sisters of Saint Dominic of Blauvelt, New York

The Sisters of Saint Dominic arrived in Rockland County nearly 130 years ago. They responded to God’s call by serving as teachers, ministering to the sick and to orphans. They continue to respond to the signs of the times by advocating for peace and justice and are involved in ministries such as education, healthcare, social and family services. The congregation will accept the Rita Hofbauer Grant, which is named after the first person to serve as the President of SOAR! Rita held this position for 15 years and helped to form the organization that has given more than $20 million in aid to aging religious.