What's Happening

December 5, 2022, Washington, D.C. – Donna Markham, OP, President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA, is one of four authors of an opinion piece published by the Chronicle of Philanthropy that announces the launch of “A Nation of Bridgebuilders,” a partnership of Catholic Charities USA, YMCA of the USA, Interfaith America, and Habitat for Humanity International.

In their piece, the leaders wrote:

“The message from this month’s midterm elections was clear: Most Americans reject political extremism and want a less divided and contentious nation. They also believe achieving that goal is possible.”

“This may have surprised the pundits and pollsters, but it didn’t surprise us. As the leaders of four major civic institutions — Catholic Charities USA, YMCA of the USA, Interfaith America, and Habitat for Humanity International — we have seen the desire to bridge differences play out in large and small ways during one of the most divisive periods in our nation’s history.”

After detailing the many ways they have witnessed groups coming together for the common good, the authors announced the official launch of “A Nation of Bridgebuilders,” a partnership to deepen and expand bridge building in communities across the country and explained how the organizations expect to implement their plan.

Authors, in addition to Sister Donna, are Suzanne McCormick, President and CEO of YMCA of the USA, Eboo Patel, Founder and president of Interfaith America, and Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International.

Read the entire article on the Chronicle of Philanthropy website. 

November 28, 2022, Washington, D.C. – Sister Donna Markham, OP, PhD, addressed members of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) during its annual assembly on November 15, 2022, for a final time as President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA). The first female to head CCUSA, Sister Donna announced recently that she will retire next year.

CCUSA is a network of agencies through the United States that address the needs of vulnerable people. Sister Donna told the U.S. Bishops that her goal was to "help this ministry become more financially stable and nimble as the entire Catholic Charities network responds to increasing demands to care for growing numbers of disaster victims, migrants, homeless folks, hungry people, mentally ill, addicted people, and families and children in precarious socio-economic situations."

Sister Donna, Prioress of the Adrian Dominican Congregation from 2004 to 2010, spoke not only of the needs of people throughout the United States and in territories such as Puerto Rico, but of the generosity of individuals, corporations, and foundations in helping CCUSA agencies meet those needs. 

"It’s important for you to tell the story of the Catholic Church’s response in this country to people who reside along the margins of our society, the very most fragile, the most vulnerable – to be able to say this is where our Church puts the Gospel into action," Sister Donna said. "It’s where Matthew 25 comes alive palpably every day across the entire country."

Watch the video of Sister Donna’s address.