Greensburg Catholic diocese presents 'Salt and Light' awards

Individuals and organizations working to better the community were honored last week during the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Greensburg’s Communities of Salt and Light Awards Dinner.

The 22nd annual awards dinner, which drew more than 500 people to Stratigos Banquet Centre in North Huntingdon on April 21, recognized those who have given their time and talents to benefit the welfare of residents in Westmoreland, Fayette, Indiana and Armstrong counties.

This year, Larry Kupec, a parishioner at St. Margaret Mary Parish in Lower Burrell, was awarded the Communities of Salt and Light award in the humanitarian category.

Kupec for years has volunteered at his parish. Since 2011, he served as the leader and coordinator of the parish food pantry, which provides food to more than 300 people each month. In addition, Kupec led the altar server program. He is also a lector, extraordinary minister of holy Communion and a member of the parish choir.

Central Westmoreland Habitat for Humanity also was honored in the field of outstanding human service organization. The nonprofit partners with people in the community to help them build or improve their homes. The Westmoreland affiliate was founded in 1993 and serves various locations throughout the county.

Executive Director Courtney Guerrieri received the award on behalf of the organization.

While presenting the awards, Bishop Larry J. Kulick said Jesus often used metaphors of salt and light, referring to his disciples as “salt of the earth” and “light of the world.”

“He wanted them to go out and ‘enhance’ the world and be a light in the darkness providing hope for those in need and in despair,” Kulick said. “Our awardees exemplify that call. Each and every one of them has gone out into the world to share his or her time, their talents or treasure to become the enhancement in the lives of so many others, as well as to be the beacon of hope for those in need. These men and women have become the salt and light that Jesus calls all of us to be.”

This is the first time in two years the awards dinner was hosted because of the covid-19 pandemic.

In addition to honoring community members, all proceeds from the dinner are redistributed to the most vulnerable and at-risk residents of the diocese by granting temporary emergency financial assistance with food, electric, water, sewage and heat.

Since its inception, the dinner has allowed the Diocese of Greensburg to distribute more than $1.5 million to those in need, helping close to 12,000 households in four counties.