Congratulations to our 2025 Caritas Gala Honorees:
Paul and Anne Krump
Rev. Msgr. John E. Hart
Rev. Owen B. Moran
Harpreet S. Peleg
paul and anne krump Diocese of Paterson Bishop's Award
Paul and Anne Krump exemplify a lifetime commitment to faith, education, and service that has touched countless lives throughout their community and beyond. Their remarkable journey together spans decades of dedicated ministry, philanthropic leadership, and unwavering devotion to helping others achieve their dreams.
Paul and Anne met in the halls of higher education in Minnesota, where Paul was pursuing his studies at Saint John's University in Collegeville while Anne was enrolled at the College of Saint Benedict in Saint Joseph. After graduating and marrying a year later, they embarked on a journey that would take them from Boston to Düsseldorf, Germany, and eventually to Pittsburgh before settling in New Jersey, where Paul's career led them.
As parents, Paul and Anne instilled their values of faith and education in their three children—Emily, Heidi, and Nathan—all of whom graduated from St. Joseph's School, continuing the family tradition of Catholic education. Today, their legacy continues through five beloved grandchildren, ranging in age from two to nine, who bring joy and light to their lives.
For over thirty years, Paul and Anne have been active and devoted members of St. Joseph of the Mendhams Parish, where they serve as Eucharistic Ministers. Anne serves in the Bethany (Funeral) Ministry, providing comfort and support to grieving families in their time of greatest need. Paul's leadership extends to the Parish Finance Council while also assisting Father Joseph Anginoli with the annual "Diocesan Ministries Appeal".
The Krumps' dedication to Catholic education extends far beyond their own family. Anne has served as a Trustee for the College of Saint Benedict, while Paul contributed his expertise to the Saint John's University Board of Trustees. Together, they have established endowed scholarships at both institutions. Their support for educational excellence continues through Anne's board membership with the Tri-County Scholarship Fund, where she works alongside Bishop Kevin Sweeney to raise and distribute funds for children to attend values-based schools.
Twelve years ago, Paul and Anne were invested into the prestigious Sovereign Military Order of Malta, joining the ranks of this ancient Catholic order dedicated to serving the sick and the poor. Paul serves on the Malta Human Services Foundation Board and chairs the Order's Risk Committee, while both volunteer their time and talents to various charitable projects, including organizing backpack distributions for working poor families in Paterson and participating in pilgrimages to Lourdes with their fellow Malades.
The Krumps' commitment to education extends to supporting individual students in achieving their dreams. They have been longtime supporters of The Assumption College for Sisters and recently played a pivotal role in helping a Vietnamese sister complete her educational journey, earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in education at the College of Saint Benedict and continuing her studies at Saint John's University for her Master's degree in Divinity.
Rev. Msgr. John E. Hart Fr. Jack Wehrlen Award
Monsignor John E. Hart is the Pastor of the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Morristown, New Jersey.
A native of Brooklyn, and parishioner of St. Philip Parish in Clifton, Monsignor John E. Hart attended Woodrow Wilson Jr. High in Clifton and graduated from the former Neumann Prep in Wayne. After graduation, he attended college seminary at Seton Hall University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in French Literature in 1977. Msgr. Hart completed his priesthood studies at Immaculate Conception Seminary, Darlington, and earned a Master of Arts in Theology with a concentration in Sacred Scripture.
Msgr. Hart’s deacon internship was served at Annunciation Parish in Wayne. He was ordained to the priesthood at Annunciation Parish by Bishop Frank J. Rodimer on May 9, 1981. After ordination, Father John was assigned to Corpus Christi Parish in Chatham Township.
In 1987 Father John was assigned to full-time service in the Diocesan Tribunal with a residence at St. Ann Parish, Parsippany, where he lived until 1990. In 1988 he began advanced studies in canon law at St. Paul University, Ottawa, Canada where he earned his J.C.L. (licentiate in canon law) in 1990. Upon his return to the tribunal he was appointed defender of the bond and a judge in 1991.
Bishop Rodimer appointed Msgr. Hart as Pastor of St. Cecilia Parish, Rockaway, effective on September 16, 1996. Bishop Rodimer also appointed Msgr. Hart Administrator of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Rockaway in 1999, remaining as Pastor of St. Cecilia and working full-time in the Tribunal as Adjutant Judicial Vicar. Pope Saint John Paul II appointed him a Chaplain to the Holy Father on August 14, 2003.
Msgr. Hart served as the Chancellor of the Diocese of Paterson from February 25, 1999 to June 24, 2005. During this time he also served as a member of the Diocesan Review Board. Bishop Arthur J. Serratelli appointed him Chairperson of the Presbyteral Council and College of Consultors. He also served as Chair of the Diocesan Theological Commission.
Bishop Arthur J. Serratelli appointed Father John pastor of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Morristown effective on September 8, 2009. Msgr. Hart currently also serves as Director of Clergy Personnel.
Msgr. Hart is a member of the Knights of Columbus (Fourth Degree) and a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. He is also a member of the Canon Law Society of America, the Canadian Canon Law Society and the Canon Law Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Msgr. John’s father, John H. Hart died on January 2, 1992. His mother Vivian lives in McAuley Hall, in Watchung. His family is his brother Tim and his sister-in-law, Linda, and their two adult children and spouses and their children. He has five great nieces and nephews of whom he is most proud.
Father John’s hobbies include movies, golf, exercising, singing, reading, theatre, dining in restaurants, doing impressions and telling jokes. His favorite movies are “ A Man for All Seasons” and “Becket.” He enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Rev. Owen B. Moran Msgr. Mark Giordani Award
Rev. Owen Moran Pastor, St. Vincent Martyr, Madison Honoree Ordained to the priesthood on December 14, 1991, by Bishop Frank J. Rodimer at Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Limerick City, Ireland. Father Owen Moran has dedicated over three decades to pastoral service, social outreach, and spiritual leadership.
Born in London and raised in Scotland and Ireland, Father Owen’s early path was far from traditional. He graduated from Rockwell College in Ireland in 1975, then studied culinary arts in Zurich, Switzerland. A gifted pastry chef, he returned to Ireland to work in the culinary field before answering a deeper vocational call.
In 1984, he entered seminary and earned a degree in philosophy and art from St. John College in Waterford, Ireland. His ministry in the Diocese of Paterson began as a parochial vicar at St. Patrick Parish in Chatham. In 2003, he became pastor of St. Rose of Lima Parish in East Hanover, where he quickly recognized the silent struggles of the working poor. He responded by establishing a food pantry, an effort that would become a defining thread in his ministry.
In 2019, Father Owen was appointed pastor of St. Luke Parish in Long Valley. Though the area appeared affluent, he again saw the hidden challenges faced by nearby communities. He expanded his outreach, launching a food pantry that continues to serve the working poor in Paterson and beyond. Now serving as pastor of St. Vincent Martyr in Madison, Father Owen has initiated a new collaborative effort among parishioners to support struggling families in Paterson and Dover. His commitment remains rooted in a deep compassion for those who work tirelessly to provide for their families while facing financial hardship.
Throughout his 34 years of priesthood, Father Owen has joyfully embraced the sacramental life of the Church. He serves as chaplain to the Order of Malta and ministers to the Morris County Jail, hospice patients, and bereavement groups. For him, being a priest is about entering the sacred space of family life, offering comfort, guidance, and the presence of Christ in every season. Father Owen Moran is a faithful shepherd, a tireless advocate for the working poor, and a joyful witness to the Gospel. His life and ministry reflect the very mission of Catholic Charities and the heart of servant leadership.
Harpreet peleg Fr. Norman James O'Connor Award
Harpreet Peleg is Chief Executive Officer of Building America CDE and also serves as Chief Financial Officer for the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust, a leader in impact investing. Ms. Peleg has been an integral part of Building America’s operations since inception, having formerly served as its Chief Financial Officer. She has actively played a critical role in Building America’s successful allocation of $263 million in New Markets Tax Credits to 31 projects to-date. As CEO, Ms. Peleg develops and implements overall strategy, generates investment opportunities, manages investor relations, and serves as the key liaison to the governing and advisory boards.
Ms. Peleg brings a broad background in management, finance, and operations to optimize Building America’s mission and outcomes, alongside a deep compassion for the people and communities that Building America serves. She started her career at a big four public accounting firm (PWC) and transitioned to a prominent global investment bank (Goldman Sachs), both of which provided the foundation for solid technical accounting and finance skills. She continued her professional development at PG&E National Energy Group where she was exposed to natural gas & energy trading. Following this, Ms. Peleg was the CFO for the AFL-CIO Investment Trust Corporation, an Institutional Investor Relations firm.
Ms. Peleg received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Rutgers College and a Master of Science in the Management of Information Technology from the University of Virginia. She previously held a Certified Public Accountant certificate through the State of New York. Ms. Peleg also holds the CFA Institute’s Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of CFA Institute and the CFA Society of Washington, DC.