The Archdiocesan Office for Youth and Young Adults will hold the 14th Annual Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) Hall of Fame Awards Dinner. The banquet raises funds for the programs of the Office for Youth and Young Adults. In addition, the banquet honors adults who reflect the virtues and values of the CYO and the Catholic Church.

Tuesday, March 13, 2007
5:30 p.m. Silent Auction
7:00 p.m. Dinner
8:15 p.m. Awards Ceremony
Drexelbrook (Drexelbrook Drive & Valley Road)
Drexel Hill, Delaware County

The CYO supports school, parish and Church leaders in their mission to prepare youth and young adults to hear and respond to the call of Jesus Christ. Through athletics and service programs the Office for Youth and Young Adults works to draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission and work of the Catholic faith community as well as fostering the total personal and spiritual growth of each person. For more information on the CYO Hall of Fame Awards, call 215-965-4637.

This year's Hall of Fame inductees are:

Elsie Goss Caldwell has been a member of Our Mother of Sorrows Parish in West Philadelphia where she served in numerous parish ministry roles, including Parish Council, Finance Council and lector. For a number of years, she served as the youth minister of Our Mother of Sorrows of the junior and senior high students. Ms. Caldwell rooted herself and her role in youth ministry in prayer and following the life of Jesus. She challenged members of the youth group to strive for excellence and avoid mediocrity, especially in the area of education. In addition to her involvement in Archdiocesan programs like Kujenga and World Youth Day, Ms. Caldwell initiated great programs for the community in West Philadelphia. She began a program called "Sundays of Appreciation" where the local firefighters and police officers would gather with Our Mother of Sorrows community for a meal.

The mother of 3 children, Ms. Caldwell often says the last day she had a full family was September 10, 2001. Her son Kenny was killed in the World Trade Center Bombing on September 11th. Since her son's death, she has worked with families of the survivors both locally and nationally to help them heal the terrible loss they all shared.

Whether she is working with the parish, the community in West Philadelphia or her clients at her tax return preparation office, Ms. Caldwell always speaks of the dignity of all people. She has taken her own personal tragedy and turned it into one more example of being a witness of Christ.

Bill Fox, Jr. grew up in Philadelphia as the oldest of five children. After attending St. Christopher's grade school in Northeast Philadelphia he graduated from LaSalle High School, where he played basketball for the legendary Obie O'Brien. Upon graduation from LaSalle College he married his wife, Maryellen, with whom he has four children: Brendan, Brian, Bridget and Maura. Bill Fox is best known as the very successful head basketball coach at Father Judge High School for twenty-nine years. He began as the youngest head coach in the Catholic League at the age of twenty-three. His career culminated in a record of 545-269, a winning record that was just recently passed. After the 2004-2005 Basketball season the athletic gym at Father Judge High School was renamed the Bill Fox Gym, in honor of the man who gave so much to the school. While coaching, Mr. Fox was a business teacher and then the Business Department Chairperson for twenty-six years. After retiring from Father Judge in 2006, he became Assistant Director of Commerce with the City of Philadelphia, and is currently working as Director of Real Property with the School District of Philadelphia. Bill and Maryellen Fox live and reside in St. Christopher's Parish.

Joseph E. Gillespie, E.d.D. is currently in his seventh year as Associate Professor of Education and Dean of the Division of Education and Human Services at Neumann College. The needs of students who "learn differently" are important to Dr. Gillespie and in his tenure the curriculum has expanded to include teacher certification in special education and the development of a partnership with Elwyn Services to serve the needs of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, a program which has gained national attention for its unique design and effective delivery of services.

Previous to his appointment as Dean, Dr. Gillespie served as Director of Academic Support Services at La Salle University and was a member of the Education faculty. His experience in youth ministry and his involvement with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia spans more than 25-years. He has worked with St. Rita of Cascia Parish and Community Center, Mercy Vocational High School, Camp Neumann, Our Mother of Sorrows Parish and Director of Career Education Program for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Dr. Gillespie assisted in the founding and development of the Books 'n Hoops program. For his efforts, he has received the City of Philadelphia, Department of Public Welfare Award for "Distinctive Service to Youth Beyond Call of Duty," as well as the "For God and Youth Award," a national award for youth leadership, presented by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Office for Youth and Young Adults.

Dr. Gillespie and his wife Tricia, are the parents of ten children (ages 32 to17) and the grandparents of 10 (ages 5 years to 10 months with two more expected in May 2007). They reside in Rockledge, Bucks County and are members of St. Cecilia Parish in Fox Chase.

George W. Nise graduated from Temple University in 1964 and went on to Wisconsin University, School of Bank Administration. He began his career as a Pennsylvania Senior Bank examiner until he joined Beneficial Savings Bank in 1970. Mr. Nise led Beneficial to expansion in the local communities to better serve its customers through outstanding service and a "hometown" presence.

In January 2007, he retired as President and CEO of Beneficial. He and his wife, Barbara, have nine children and 10 grandchildren. They currently live in New Hope, Bucks County. Mr. Nise has been very involved in the community, including affiliations with the American Heart Association, Police Athletic League, Citizens Crime Commission, and the Hero Scholarship Fund of Philadelphia. He is a member of several boards, including Holy Redeemer Health System, Holy Family College, Pennsylvania Association of Community Banks and the Comprehensive Learning Center. He assists in the banking community outside of Beneficial Bank by working with the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Bankers Association, the Financial Managers Society and the Bank Administration Institute, to name a few. His good works in the community have led him to be the recipient of several honors and awards, including the Eagles Fly for Leukemia Corporate Recipient in 2001 and the Police Athletic League award for 2004.

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Contact
Bonnie Olinger
Communications Assistant
215-587-3747