Archive: Around Town

Lansing's Matthew P. Binkewicz was awarded the Catholic Charities of the Finger Lakes' Works of Love Award.  The award is based on the Gospel of St. Matthew, Chapter 26, “I was hungry and you fed me, naked and you clothed me, in prison and you visited me.”  Honorees are people who meet the spiritual and emotional needs of others in their community.

Binkewicz is the bereavement and pastoral care coordinator at Hospice of the Finger Lakes.  He regularly meets with families to help them deal with the loss of a loved one.  He is an accomplished writer and photographer and a regular contributor to The Lansing Star.

"In times of uncertainty, in times of doubt, and in times of fear, we offer the people in this community a simple gift-we make ourselves present for those who need us," Binkewicz says.   "Our focus is not on the illness, but on the individual.  We do not visit a patient, we visit a person; and we do not dwell on what they have, but we seek to discover who they truly are.  Our work is not about dying, it is about living, sharing and giving care and comfort to another human being."

Binkewicz received the honor along with Skaneateles' Joe Mushock, Owasco's Karen Vasile, and Auburn's Nicholas Valenti.  They were presented with the award at a dinner on April 30.

Binkewicz graduated from Christ the Savior Russian Orthodox Seminary with a B.Th. and from the Catholic University of America with a M.A. in theology. He began working with the terminally ill in 1991 while still a theology student, and has remained active in that field, performing eulogies at funerals in addition to his hospice work.   His book 'Peaceful Journey' explores the spiritual issues facing terminally ill patients and their families.

"At Hospice of the Finger Lakes, I currently serve as the Bereavement Coordinator and Pastoral Care Coordinator," Binkewicz says.  "I share an awesome responsibility with a team of highly trained individuals-nurses, social workers, home health aides, volunteers and office staff -- all of whom are dedicated to providing care and comfort to those facing a terminal illness and offer support to their families as well."

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