The Diocesan Hispanic Catholic Social Services Office “La Casita”
Announces their New Advisory Board
Mr. Albert Manzella, Executive Director of the Catholic Social Services Office for the Diocese of Birmingham, has formed the Hispanic Catholic Social Services Office also known as “La Casita” to assist our Hispanic brothers and sisters in the region. La Casita’s program Mission is to provide a safe and welcoming environment for people of diverse culture, obtain information, and receive available services.
After two years, a new Advisory Board has been formed to support the work of this office. On January 30, 2013, the first Advisory Board Meeting was held. The group was greeted by Mr. Manzella, followed by Mr. Lee Moradi, the Board’s Director and Sister Gabriela Ramirez (La Casita’s Director) who conducted the meeting.
The Board consists of 23 members from various backgrounds and regions within the Diocese. These members include:
– Fr. Thomas Ackerman, Associate Pastor at Prince of Peace
– Sr. Ernestina Hernandez, Hoover
– Sr. Gabriela (Gaby) Ramirez, Hoover
– Lee and Deborah Moradi, Prince of Peace
– Pat and John Dicas, St. Peter
– Mr. Jose Santiago, Prince of Peace
– Maria Sanchez, Prince of Peace
– Kathy Calypoole, Prince of Peace
– John Whitaker, Prince of Peace (Diocesan Attorney)
– Candida Hernandez, Cullman
– Diane Harwood, Cullman
– Patricia del Valle, Aniston
– Lucero Vargas, Trussville
– Maria Jose Bonilla, Holy Spirit Church in Huntsville
– Dorothy McDade, Holy Spirit Church in Tuscaloosa
– Dominique McCall, St. Vincent Hospital in Birmingham
– Cristina Almanza, Anniston
– Helen Rivas, Unitarian Universalist Church
– Miguel Carpizo, Greater Birmingham Ministers
– Arthur Eyzaguirre, Prince of Peace
– Jane Sweeney, St. Peter
– Linda DeRocher, Prince of Peace
The Advisory Board will be instrumental in finding ways to support the program’s mission and enhance the outreach efforts to uphold the human dignity, provide a hospitable environment and show God’s love to our Hispanic brothers and sisters. As stated by the Bishops meeting held in Galveston in 1994, “Faithful to the teachings of Christ, the Church affirms the dignity of all and presents diversity of race, culture and language as a gift from God, not as a problem”.
