Msgr. Peter I. Vaccari welcomed CNEWA’s creative services director, Tim McCarthy, as a guest on the July installment of “Connections With Msgr. Peter.” The creative services department spearheads the creative vision of the agency through its digital and print projects, including “Connections,” which Mr. McCarthy produces.
Other projects range from ONE magazine’s production and direct mail appeals to event materials and branding. The creative services team includes Paul Grillo, senior graphic designer, Sam Staddon, junior graphic designer, and Elizabeth Belsky, copywriter.
Creative services aims to highlight the agency’s commitment to “maintain the dignity of those we serve” by communicating hope and healing, said Mr. McCarthy.
Many humanitarian agencies will use horrific visuals in their materials, he said. “It tears at your heart, but in the wrong way.”
Msgr. Vaccari focused on hope and healing in his opening prayer, which reflected on those who witnessed the piercing of Jesus’ side when he was on the cross. He described recent meetings with the agency’s regional directors, who shared stories of “the violence and bloodshed to which they have been exposed.”
“We as an agency, CNEWA, are called to bear witness to the truth, not of the bloodshed as the final word, but ultimately as the resurrected Jesus. That’s the final word. We are called to bear that witness,” he said.
Msgr. Vaccari announced that CNEWA is in the planning stages of a pilgrimage to mark the agency’s centennial in 2026. Stay tuned for more information in the coming months.
The agency recently welcomed a new director of development, Deirdre O’Brien, whose background is in international human rights law.
“Connections With Msgr. Peter” will resume in September after a short hiatus. For updates from the agency until then, follow the CNEWA blog and subscribe to CNEWA’s World.