Providing Help. Creating Hope.
VISION: Believing in the presence of God in our midst, we proclaim the sanctity of human life and the dignity of the person by sharing in the mission of Jesus given to the Church. To this end, Catholic Charities works with individuals, families, and communities to help them meet their needs, address their issues, eliminate oppression, and build a just and compassionate society.
MISSION: To provide service to people in need, to advocate for justice in social structures, and to call the entire Church and other people of good will to do the same.
GOALS: Catholic Charities is devoted to helping meet basic human needs, strengthening families, building communities and empowering low-income people. Committed to work to reduce poverty in half by 2020.
KEY VALUE: Hospitality
WHAT WE DO: Organizing Love. "As a community, the Church must practise love. Love thus needs to be organized if it is to be an ordered service to the community" (Deus Caritas Est, par. 20)
On Sunday (5th Sunday of Lent Cycle B) we read in the Gospel of John that as Jesus prepares for the ending of his ministry, that he will face death. He notes that a seed must die as it is buried, in order to bring forth new fruit and thrive. Jesus further gives instructions about discipleship when he teaches that "Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life."
In Catholic Charities we are called upon to act and live as disciples of the Lord in the continuation of Jesus' ministry of charity and justice. This also means that as the times change, and the needs and gifts of people change, we too must be open to die to our own institutional wants and desires, and focus on how best to empower and serve those who come to us for aid. Catholic Charities USA has called upon its member agencies to revision ourselves -- die to ourselves -- and partner in solidarity with our neighbors to work to reduce poverty in half by 2020. This is no easy feat. We must be agents of change in our communities, not focusing on our institutional needs but working to engage others in promoting justice. As we near the completion of the Lenten Season, we need to die to ourselves so that we can rise to bring new fruit -- a world filled with peace and hope.
N.B.
Welcome to Diana Stromsky, the newly appointed Executive Director of our Catholic Charities of Stark County affiliated agency. Diana brings a long history of social work leadership and a career in banking to our system. She is known to many of us in Catholic Charities for her service to our agency in many professional and volunteer capacities.
Some important date(s) this week:
Daily Lenten Resources can be found at:
US Conference of Catholic Bishops
Catholic Relief Services
Catholic Charities USA
MONDAY, March 30. National Catholic News Reporter , Dennis Sadowski, will be visiting Catholic initiatives in Youngstown to report on our efforts to help reduce poverty and to put a face on poverty in America.
Sharing Hope In Tough Times: Catholic Charities Responds to Families Facing Economic Crisis
Reflection: When giving, never let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. What prevents us from sending a grocery store gift card to the family struggling with unemployment?
Prayer Intention: That all Christians recognize the Gospel’s call to give of themselves, and to help those in need without seeking recognition.
PAPAL INTENTIONS:
March 2009
General: That the role of women may be more appreciated and used to good advantage in every country in the world.
Mission: That in the light of the letter addressed to them by Pope Benedict XVI, the Bishops, priests, consecrated persons, and lay faithful of the Catholic Church in the Popular Republic of China may commit themselves to being the sign and instrument of unity, communion and peace.
April 2009
General: That the Lord may bless the farmers with an abundant harvest and sensitise the richer populations to the drama of hunger in the world
Mission: That the Christians who work in areas where the conditions of the poor, the weak and the women and children are most tragic, may be signs of hope, thanks to their courageous testimony to the Gospel of solidarity and love.
Corporal Works of Mercy: The seven practices of charity toward our neighbor
1. Feed the hungry
2. Give drink to the thirsty
3. Clothe the naked
4. Shelter the homeless
5. Visit the sick
6. Visit those in prison
7. Bury the dead
See our website at www.catholiccharitiesyoungstown.org for links to the our ministries and services.
For more information on Catholic Social Doctrine and its connection to our ministries, visit my blog.
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