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50th Annual Murray House Dinner Dance
Largest Event in Catholic Charities History
February 16, 2020
Catholic Charities, Department for Persons with Disabilities 50th Annual Murray House Dinner Dance was held on February 16th at the Brownstone in Paterson.
With nearly 1,000 guests attending, this event was the largest in Catholic Charities’ 80 year history.
Special guests included Jimmie Murray Lifetime Achievement award recipients who were recognized for making a lasting impact in the lives of people served by the DPD. Also in attendance at the event were members of the Murray family, almost all the individuals the DPD serves, and many of their staff members and volunteers.
Guests were filled with joy, by the many members of the DPD family in attendance. Those in attendance received a commemorative 50th Anniversary Pin and an Irish Blessing prayer card. On each table, there were 50th Anniversary Murray House Dinner Dance Souvenir Journals; 100+ page booklets chronicling the history of DPD, and highlighting the Lifetime Achievement award recipients.
The Murray House Dinner Dance has been a fixture at DPD throughout the agency’s entire history. The annual gala, is named in memory of Jimmie Murray. Jimmie, who happened to have intellectual and developmental disabilities, passed away in the 1960’s. He was the inspiration behind Murray House, the first and longest running group home for people with disabilities in New Jersey. To this day, the Murray Family has been active and involved in DPD’s and Catholic Charities’ ministry. 5 generations of Murrays have volunteered for the Department in some capacity.
Because of the high number of guests coming to support the DPD, the entire Brownstone (two main ballrooms; upstairs and downstairs were utilized). Two programs were held simultaneously — one in the grand ballroom with Scott Milliken, CEO, Catholic Charities and Chris Brancato, development director, Catholic Charities, acting as masters of ceremonies and in the main ballroom, Joanna Miller, DPD executive director and Erin Crowley, associate executive director, took on hosting responsibilities. Guests were encouraged to mingle throughout the entire venue.
Among the guests, was Monsignor Jack Wehrlen, DPD’s Founder. “I’m proud of you! I salute you! You are carrying on the tradition we tried to establish over 55 years ago. Scratch that, not “carrying on” - but enhancing. Every time I visit DPD, I marvel in how far we have come. Keep up the good work! We are truly blessed,” said Monsignor Jack.
“1,000 guests! Truly amazing and a testament to our powerful mission; and to the love and heart of the Murray Family,” said Scott Milliken, Catholic Charites Chief Executive Officer.
Murray family members were present in both ballrooms to welcome the many guests in attendance. A special remembrance was held on both floors in memory of Joseph Murray, a retired deputy fire chief for the Paterson Fire Department, who passed away July 2019. He was Jimmie Murray’s brother and a longtime supporter of the DPD, attending all 49 previous Murray House dinner dances. “It was Joseph Murray, who told us that he wanted to make this 50th anniversary event the biggest in our history. He mentioned that he wanted to pack the venue with 1,000 people. We didn’t think it was possible. We know that he was there with us in spirit, as we put this event together; and that he is here, in this room celebrating, with us tonight,” said Joanna Miller, DPD Executive Director.
Joseph Murray’s children — Joseph, Erika and Andrew Murray — were all present to accept plaques in their father’s memory.
Following the presentation to Joseph Murray’s family, Angela Nikolovski, executive director of Straight and Narrow, and Msgr. Herbert Tillyer, board president of diocesan Catholic Charities, both spoke about the life-saving efforts of the Paterson fire department and other first responders during the catastrophic fire that destroyed the halfway house at Straight and Narrow on August 24th. Paterson Fire Chief Brian McDermott was present to accept plaques on behalf of Straight and Narrow and Catholic Charities, and led a moment of silence for an individual who had passed away just a day before because of a fire in Paterson.
During the dinner, DPD presented annual awards recognizing two members of its group homes by awarding the Jim and Kit Murray Outstanding Achievement Award to Phyllis of Giuliano House and the Frank X. Graves Award to Peter of Murray House. Also recognized was employee of the year Jim Cerny, director of Columbus House, and Martin Addison, who received Marilyn Murray Volunteer Award.
Afterward, the Jimmie Murray Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to those who are served by DPD, staff, volunteers, the Murray family, DPD family members and friends, service organizations, corporate partners and schools and leaders in the Paterson Diocese.
“50 years, thousands of people with disabilities helped and you have made this important list. You should be very proud of your life-changing efforts,” said Chris Brancato, Catholic Charities Development Director.Jimmie Murray Lifetime Achievement Awards – Complete Listing
To conclude the formal program, Robert of the Basile Apartments, and one of two remaining original Murray House residents, shared some words and Robert of Walsh House sang “Unforgettable” the Nat King Cole classic. “I am happy to say that I am one of the first people to ever move in to DPD and Murray House. Murray House is the longest running group home for people with disabilities in New Jersey. I moved into Murray House, in Paterson, a long time ago and things were much different than they are today. The world has changed; it was much slower paced back then. But the one thing that has stayed the same for me is DPD. It was a loving home back then and it is a loving home today, 50 years later. Congratulations to everyone on 50 years of the Murray House Dinner Dance. God bless you all,” said Robert from Basile Apartments.
“Jim, Kit, Jimmie, Marilyn, Joe, and all of our departed Murray and DPD Family members were looking down on us tonight. I am so proud of this organization, the staff and the people who we serve. 1,000 people – what an unbelievable evening, full of love! The Murray Family is truly blessed to be part of the DPD Family,” said Dennis Murray, Catholic Charities Board Vice President.