In the continuing saga of Boston Catholic Charities honoring the pro-choice, pro-gay marriage mayor of Boston…the dinner of question took place last night, and Menino had his say.

In the speech, Menino did not discuss his positions on social issues. He told the group that he is never far from ”thinking of what the nuns taught me."

”What Jesus said, and what he showed with his life, was that the way to follow him was to take care of people," Menino said. ”He told us in the Gospel of Matthew — the hungry, the naked, the homeless, the sick, and yes, the imprisoned."

He added: ”How much clearer could the Lord have made it?"

Terrence C. Donilon, a spokesman for the archdiocese, applauded the speech. ”Mayor Menino’s remarks clearly demonstrate this is a person who loves his city and is dedicated to helping others," Donilon said. ”We appreciate his many good deeds on behalf of the needy. In fact, the archbishop is very thankful for the efforts of so many who contributed to the support generated tonight for the programs that Catholic Charities runs to serve children and families in need."

More on the lead-up to the dust-up at Dom’s

The truly tragic thing here, and the ultimately lost opportunity, is to relate the plight of the unborn to the mayor’s self-proclaimed dedication to the needy. The Archdiocese has really dropped the ball on this, even if the Archbishop physically separated himself from the event and did not attend.