SCRANTON — The Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, announced the appointment of Mary Theresa Vautrinot as Diocesan Secretary for Catholic Human Services and Executive Director of Catholic Social Services, effective Jan. 4, 2016. Vautrinot will succeed Monsignor Joseph P. Kelly, who is retiring from the position after 10 years in that role.

Vautrinot brings to Catholic Social Services a decade of CEO/COO level leadership experience in Catholic hospitals, with Catholic Health East and Maxis Health System in Carbondale and Holy Family Memorial in Wisconsin, and was at the vice president level at Pennsylvania Hospital/University of Pennsylvania Health System and Easton Hospital.

She received her undergraduate degrees at Neumann University and her master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania. She achieved membership in the American College of Healthcare Executives and she has served on the board of the Pennsylvania Catholic Health Association, Northwestern Behavioral Services, Inc., and the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce.

Catholic Social Services programs, which are widespread and varied, provide services to tens of thousands of clients in Northeastern Pennsylvania on an annual basis, including services to struggling individuals, children, and families; shelters for the homeless and food for the hungry; adoption and foster care; affordable housing; help for homeless veterans, resettlement services for refugees from strife-ridden regions of the world, and treatment for those battling the travesties of addiction.

At Bishop Bambera’s request, Monsignor Kelly will continue his work with and advocacy for St. Francis of Assisi Soup Kitchen in Scranton, which, although often associated with Catholic Social Services, is an independent organization.

For Abington Journal

Information provided by the Diocese of Scranton.