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Brian Shea couldn’t resist taking a friendly jab at his host and the man who had just handed him the Deus Caritas Est Award recognizing him for his long support and commitment to the work of Catholic Charities.
“I grew up as a baseball fan in Queens … with the last name Shea, so it was pre-ordained that I was going to be a lifelong, loyal, die-hard Mets fan and I am. I thought it might be difficult being a Mets fan to warm up to a cardinal from St. Louis,” he quipped. “But Cardinal Dolan won me over even before he handed me this award. And Cardinal, your dynamic personality and good humor make you an excellent leader for the Archdiocese of New York and for our entire city, so thank you for all you do.”
It was an evening of good humor, friendly banter, beautiful music courtesy of Tony award wining actress and singer Laura Benanti, and serious commitment to New York City’s neediest as some 800 friends and benefactors filled the Grand Ballroom at the Waldorf-Astoria in Manhattan May 27 for the annual archdiocesan Catholic Charities Gala Benefit that at press time had raised $2.1 million.
Shea, vice-chairman of BNY Mellon, chief executive officer of BNY Mellon Investment Services and a long time supporter of Catholic Charities and St. John’s University, his alma mater, was joined by his wife Patricia at the dais for the award ceremony.
The award, Deus Caritas Est, translates God is Love.
Cardinal Dolan told those in attendance that some $2 million had been raised to support the Catholic agency that provides vital services to New Yorkers in need, Catholic and non-Catholic alike.
The cardinal arrived at the Waldorf having returned from Rome earlier that day from two days of meetings at the Vatican during which plans for Pope Francis’ September visit to the United States were discussed.
He told his guests of the changes he had seen in the Eternal City since he was there two months ago, in particular how Pope Francis has further advanced the cause of advocating for the poor and marginalized.
“Off to the side at St. Peter’s Square there is a new use for what used to be a probably thousand-year-old wall that leads to the papal apartments. What Pope Francis decided to do was to change that into a facility where there are showers, where there are fresh clothes, where there’s a barber, where there’s medical attention for the homeless of Rome. Here come hundreds of people every day. They walk across the square to be welcomed by Mother Teresa’s sisters who offer a meal twice a day.
“And I noticed one other thing that’s different,” continued the cardinal. “For decades and decades the pope always has a general audience. He had it today. About 50,000 people come to St. Peter’s Square to see him. And at the end of the audience he would meet, oh maybe 50-60 people. Those are coveted tickets, so state leaders, very influential, prestigious people. You know what had changed? Now every Wednesday, four of those homeless people are in the front row to meet Pope Francis. What’s happened, everybody, is Pope Francis has reminded us that the poor are front and center in the Church. Jesus was the one who taught that.”
And that, the cardinal acknowledged, has been the core of what Catholic Charities has been about in this city for decades.
Shea made the same point in his acceptance speech.
“Over the years at various Catholic Charities events I’ve had the opportunity to hear Mayor Giuliani, and later Mayor Bloomberg, underscore how essential the work of Catholic Charities is to serving New York’s most needy and how our city and surrounding counties rely on Catholic Charities to deliver critical services,” he said. “Creating hope and opportunity for people less fortunate than ourselves is what fundamentally drives all our family’s charitable efforts and it’s the common bond we all share this evening.”
Shea also reminded those gathered that while most in attendance were sharing their time, talent and support for Catholic Charities and other charities in their spare or discretionary time and that was to be applauded, those who work day in and day out directly with those in need deserved special recognition.
“Led by Msgr. Kevin Sullivan (executive director of Catholic Charities) these lay and religious leaders alike commit their entire careers and in some cases their entire lives to the service of others,” Shea said. “This is an entirely different level of commitment,” he added, “and one that deserves our admiration and respect, and one that inspires us all to continue to help in whatever way we can.”
Afterward, in an interview with CNY, Shea said he was thrilled but surprised when he was told he would be honored. He said he was grateful for the support he has received from friends, business partners and clients in his charitable endeavors. “It’s a night I will never forget,” he said. “Catholic Charities does so much for so many people in New York City; literally, the City of New York couldn’t function without Catholic Charities’ services.” Without such assistance, the quality of life of countless “would be far more harsh,” he said. “There are so many people in need.”
