Charlene Flaherty, executive director of Cranaleith Spiritual Center (left), and Joyce Hadley, Cranaleith board member (right), presented the Founders Award to Rose Martin, RSM of Hope Partnership for Education at a Sept. 27 gala celebrating the center’s 20th anniversary. (Photo by Kevin Edwards / Courtesy of Cranaleith Spiritual Center.)

Posted October 1, 2018

Cranaleith Spiritual Center celebrated its 20th anniversary at a gala Sept. 27, 2018, at Knowlton Mansion in Northeast Philadelphia.

More than 200 business and nonprofit leaders and philanthropists attended the event.

(From left) Maureen H. McCullough, J.D., of Catholic Relief Services was presented the Catherine McAuley Award by Anne Kappler, RSM, co-chair of the Cranaleith Spiritual Center board, at a Setp. 27 gala in honor of Cranaleith’s 20th anniversary. (Photo by Kevin Edwards / Courtesy of the Cranaleith Spiritual Center.)

“Tonight gives us the opportunity to celebrate Cranaleith’s first 20 years, the 80 seasons that Cranaleith has been a place of transformation and healing for thousands including those living in poverty, people struggling with addiction and those with mental health issues,” said executive director Charlene Flaherty.

At the event, several nonprofit leaders were recognized for their service to humanitarian causes.

Sharmain Matlock-Turner, president and CEO of the Urban Affairs Coalition, and Maureen H. McCullough, JD, the northeast and mid-Atlantic regional director of Catholic Relief Services, both received the Catherine McAuley Award.

Rose Martin, RSM, of the Hope Partnership for Education received the Cranaleith Founders Award.

Cranaleith, which means “sanctuary of trees” in Gaelic, is a retreat and conference center located on a 10-acre site in the Somerton section of Philadelphia.

Sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, the center offers a contemplative space for all those seeking reflection, renewal and transformation.

Charlene Flaherty, executive director of the Cranaleith Spiritual Center (left) and Marisa Guerin, honorary chair of the center’s Sept. 27 20th anniversary gala (right) presented the Catherine McAuley Award to Sharmain Matlock–Turner, president of the Urban Affairs Coalition. (Photo by Kevin Edwards / Courtesy of the Cranaleith Spiritual Center.)