‘I love it,’ SVdP San Mateo head says of new post

HELPING HANDS: Kathryn Wilson of St. Bartholomew Parish, San Mateo, had a special tug at her heart when she heard of the devastation caused by the North Bay fires of just a few months ago especially at Santa Rosa’s Cardinal Newman High School. Kathryn has helped Newman coach Tony Greco at a summer tennis camp for several years. “I immediately thought of coach Greco and his students.” Kathryn put together a bake sale and raised $225 for the school. Pictured are Kathryn with assistants Lauren Creamer, left, and Penelope Anderson, right.
 
February 22, 2018
Tom Burke
 
On board now for almost two months as executive director of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of San Mateo County, Jim Lonergan has hit the ground running. “I am deeply committed to the mission and work of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul,” Jim, a former CEO of the Chicago archdiocesan council of SVdP, told me via email. “There is much need for our level of safety net services in San Mateo County, so I am blessed to be a part of such a well-respected organization that serves those in the margins of our community.” Jim, an Arizona State alumnus, had a long career in publishing before turning his attention to the nonprofit sector volunteering with groups including Special Olympics Orange County, Habitat for Humanity, and the Salvation Army. Jim founded the Serious Air Community Foundation to serve the larger community needs in the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas.
 
Jim is grateful for the legacy of longtime and now retired SVdP head Lorraine Moriarty. He said hers will be “huge shoes to fill” calling Lorraine “the heart and soul of SVdP San Mateo for many years.”
 
Jim sees his new post as one of “many responsibilities” including keeping “our vibrant, active membership growing in the community and, along with our board, volunteers and staff, increase our reach and service those most in need in our county.”
 
How has the job been so far? “I love it,” Jim said. “Certainly, the days are very busy but our board, membership, volunteers and staff have been exceptionally welcoming and have made me feel at home in a short period of time.”
 
Jim is currently attending Mass at Our Lady of the Pillar Church in Half Moon Bay. He is also visiting with SVdP conferences and parishes throughout San Mateo County. “I very much enjoy attending Masses at as many parishes as I can just to get a feel for each unique parish environment,” Jim said. “Along with the board and several committees, we are working on finalizing our strategic plan for the next three to five years which will provide our organization with very clear vision, purpose and direction as we continue to honor Christ through those whom we are blessed to serve in San Mateo County,” Jim said.
 
 
HONOR GUARD: Mickey Ganitch, a 98-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor, spoke of his experience to students and staff of St. Gregory School, San Mateo Jan. 26. Parishioner and school dad Tony Belforte heard Mickey on KCBS Dec. 7, Pearl Harbor Day, and sought him out to speak at St. Greg’s. A resident of the Bay Area for 60 years, Mickey served on the USS Pennsylvania in WWII. “It was truly an amazing honor to hear his stories,” Andrea Belforte told me in a note to this column. Pictured with Mickey after his presentation are Tony and Andrea with their children, all students at St. Greg’s: Gabriella, fourth grade; Gia, third grade; and Luca, eighth grade.
 
 
MEMORIES: Mike Nolan offers a taste of yesterday in his blog “Recalling Home.” Mike is a parishioner of St. Kevin Parish in Bernal Heights. “My podcast is about recollecting another time in America, when there was a deeper sense of community and neighborhood connection,” Mike told me. “All the people I interview - relatives, friends, colleagues - I’ve known for decades.” One of Mike’s conversations is with Father Tony McGuire, retired pastor of St. Matthew Parish, San Mateo. Kevin met Father Tony at St. Kevin’s in 1977 and Father Tony was his guide in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. “We’ve remained good friends since then,” Mike said.
 
“Recalling Home” can be found in Apple Podcasts under that name. Also on the Soundcloud and Stitcher platforms.
 
 
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