CHARLESTON –Catholic Charities West Virginia’s seventh annual Autumn Gathering will be held on Friday, Oct. 27 at St. John XXIII Pastoral Center, 100 Hodges Road in Charleston, W.Va. The evening begins with Mass at 5:30 p.m. in the chapel at the Center, a brief reception begins at 6:30 p.m. and dinner begins at 7 p.m.

The highlight of the program will be the keynote address from the Most Rev. George V. Murry, S.J., Ph.D., bishop of Youngstown, Ohio. Murry’s address is titled “Catholic Charities West Virginia–One Family in Giving and Receiving” reflecting on how CCWVa serves the poor and marginalized as a family would their own relatives who face challenges. CCWVa provides assistance and support through difficult times and offers compassion and understanding to those it serves, and in-turn all receive the graces of friendship and community.

The presenting sponsor for the Autumn Gathering is the Most Rev. Michael J. Bransfield, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, who is chairman of the CCWVa statewide governing board of directors. CCWVa Director of Development and Marketing Patricia Phillips said of the sponsorship, “We are forever grateful for Bishop Bransfield’s support of Catholic Charities West Virginia and the Autumn Gathering.”

She went on to say, “sponsorships make it possible for us to present engaging events and bring more people together in support of our mission, programs and services.” Other sponsors include the Basilica of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Charleston, WesBanco, St. Joseph Parish in Huntington, W.Va., Ascension Parish in Hurricane, W.Va., Highmark-West Virginia and UniCare.

The Autumn Gathering closes with a day of meetings for the statewide governing Board of Directors which includes the annual meeting with the chairman. New officers will be elected this year and they will be introduced at the Autumn Gathering along with the new CCWV Chief Executive Officer Beth Zarate.

Proceeds from the event will support the programs and services CCWVa provides in its western region and its statewide programs of refugee resettlement and immigration assistance and HomeCare which provides services to the elderly and adult disabled.

The event is free to attend with confirmed reservation. Seating is limited; to reserve a seat online go to www.CatholicCharitiesWV.org or call 304-380-0155. A request for donations to CCWVa will be made at the event.