More than $5.6 million was raised at the Catholic Schools Foundation Gala this month honoring Richard Henken, president and CEO of Schochet, with this year's Carolyn and Peter Lynch Award.
The money raised at this year's Building Minds Scholarship Fund Gala will be used for scholarship support for current and additional students.
In accepting the award, Henken said, “The best way that I know to directly and meaningfully impact the lives of our kids is through the gift of a first-rate, faith-based education delivered in a loving and nurturing environment.”
He said that while their circumstances and stories may be different, the children we serve are "no different than yours or mine. All they need is a chance and opportunity that most of us here tonight take for granted."
"I'm so impressed by these young people," he said. "They're bright, they're curious, they're creative. They're incredibly motivated and driven to succeed. All they need is a chance and opportunity that most of us take for granted."
In addition to serving as president of the CSF from 2012 to 2015, and currently sitting on its Gala and Advancement Committees, Henken has volunteered directly with CSF students for decades, mentoring them and offering internships and even jobs at Schochet.
Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley, who was in Rome, congratulated Henken in a video message, stating that both Catholics and Jews appreciate the value of tikkun olam, which is Hebrew for "repair the world."
"Rick, you have clearly heard the call in so many ways," the cardinal said, "helping the needy, the less fortunate, our senior citizens, and the children who are the future of our society. Thank you for being such a good friend to the Catholic Schools Foundation and strengthening the bonds that bring us all together."
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey also recognized Henken as she thanked the CSF and its donors on behalf of the generations of immigrants who have been uplifted by the Catholic school's system.
"I understand in this room in particular, the focus on the kids who are going to benefit," she said. "And when I say 'kids,' it's not only the kids. It's their brothers and sisters who will be inspired, who will see mentors. It's their parents who will be lifted and relieved of some burden, knowing that just because of their particular socioeconomic circumstance, their child is going to have possibly the same opportunity as every other child in this great state."
The audience of more than 1,000 also heard from a current student as well as a former student who has now returned to the system to give back as a teacher at Malden Catholic.
The award was presented to Henken by Peter Lynch, president emeritus of CSF and vice-chairman of Fidelity, who Henken said introduced him to CSF years ago. Henken said, “CSF not only changes the life of the students it serves but has changed my life as well!”
For a full copy of Mr. Henken's remarks, click here.
To view the event video from Catholic Schools Foundation, please see the link to the video, or visit 34th Annual Celebration - Honoring Rick Henken (csfboston.org).