Communities of Salt and Light Dinner

By Melaney Hegyes
Managing Director
Catholic Charities of the Diocese Greensbug

For the past 24 years, the annual Communities of Salt and Light Awards Dinner has honored individuals and organizations from across the Diocese of Greensburg  who are of exceptional character that represent the mission of Church and charity.

The event, hosted by Bishop Larry J. Kulick, allows Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Greensburg to celebrate honorees who personify the meaning of charity. Their selfless actions of giving have been felt far and wide in the Diocese, making a true impact on the lives of others.

The dinner extends their efforts by raising funds to support the less fortunate, aiming to end hunger, homelessness and the stigma that can accompany poverty.

This year honoree for humanitarianism is Edward Antonacci, a parishioner in the faith communities of Ascension and Sacred Heart parishes in Jeannette, for humanitarianism. A man of prayer and action, Antonacci never refuses a request for help in his parishes.

Joseph Valero is the honoree for philanthropy. Whether it is repairs or general upkeep, parishioners of St. Sylvester Parish, Slickville, and the partner parishes of St. Ambrose Parish, Avonmore, and St. Matthew Parish, Saltsburg, know they can count on Valero.

All proceeds from the dinner are used to meet the basic needs of the most vulnerable living throughout the four counties of the Diocese – Armstrong, Fayette, Indiana and Westmoreland. More than $1.6 million in financial and material assistance has been distributed since the dinner’s inception.

The dinner will be held April 18 at 6 p.m. at Stratigos Banquet Centre, North Huntingdon. To purchase tickets and learn about sponsorship opportunities and basket raffle items, visit ccharitiesgreensburg.org.

Our 2024 Awardees

Edward Antonacci – Humanitarianism

Edward Antonacci brings light to his love for the Church and the faith communities of Ascension and Sacred Heart parishes in Jeannette.

Antonacci, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Greensburg’s 2024 Communities of Salt and Light Award winner for humanitarianism, assists wherever he is needed. He searches for ways to increase membership while also serving the temporal needs of the parishes by raising funds and pitching in for projects like cleaning and landscaping.

HIs most recent effort was bringing in outside speakers to the adult faith formation program. He has been an active participant in the pro-life movement and has traveled to Washington, D.C., for the March for Life since the 1990s.

A Benedictine Oblate novice, he is a parishioner of Ascension Parish, where he is president of the Holy Name Society. He serves as a sponsor for people coming into full communion with the Catholic Church through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.

Antonacci, a self-employed engineer, is engineer for the City of Jeannette and Manor Borough.  He has lent his expertise and time to improve parking at Sacred Heart Parish, drainage at Sacred Heart Cemetery and pavement at Ascension Parish.

Antonacci and his wife have six daughters, who say he is a man of prayer, knowledge and action.

Joseph Valero – Philanthropy

It should come as no surprise that Joseph Valero, owner of Valero Service Inc. in Delmont, is being honored with Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Greensburg’s 2024 Communities of Salt and Light Award for philanthropy.

Valero always sees the good in people, and quickly and quietly provides for the needs of others.

Valero has long been giving back to the Diocese and his beloved St. Sylvester Parish in Slickville, along with the partner parishes of St. Ambrose Parish, Avonmore, and St. Matthew Parish, Saltsburg.

Parishioners know they can always count on Valero. He handles repairs and general upkeep of parish buildings – and else anything asked of him. He leads a group of parishioners who help with repairs, and often pays for supplies out of his own pocket. He tries to employ those who have had trouble finding work and seeks employment for Ukrainian immigrants.

Valero serves as an extraordinary minister of holy Communion at St. Sylvester Parish.