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. Working 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 (Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle B) we read from the Gospel of Mark that Jesus is not really welcomed in his own hometown. The local residents are not sure who this local guy is and what gives him the authority and right to proclaim that the Kingdom of God is at hand. The first reading from the prophet Ezekiel tells of his call to be a prophet in the world. St Paul in the second reading talks about how he constantly is reminded of his weaknesses but that this weakness to proclaim the Good news is truly a strength.
As Catholic Charities we are called sometimes to be prophets in our own land -- locally and nationally. Sometimes people are not ready to hear the challenges we bring to the social order and may even be opposed to our positions. Think of our positions on abortion and immigration: not everyone agrees with our total commitment to human life and dignity. But that is what we must do: constantly proclaim the Good News, despite our own weaknesses and opposition by others. Our faith demands no less.
N.B. Please consider joining our new Twitter account, CCDOY, for current updates and calls to action that we can all use.
Some important date(s) this week:
TUESDAY JULY 7. Pope Benedict XVI will accept and publish his new encyclical Caritas in Veritate which will address the social and economic challenges of today by exploring the current economic crisis, poverty, globalization, ecology and personal and corporate ethics. The publication of the encyclical will offer dioceses, parishes, schools and campus ministries a “teachable moment,” especially with the interest that will be generated in the Church’s teaching on economic life in light of the current economic crisis.
TUESDAY JULY 7. Sharing Hope in Tough Times Workshop
Are you concerned about job loss and the state of the economy?
Are you interested in helping those who are struggling in these tough times?
If you answered “yes” to either of the above questions, join us.
What: Sharing Hope in Tough Times “Core Team Development” session.
Learn more about two programs that can be adapted for use at your parish or in your community.
Where: Holy Family Hall at Blessed Sacrament Parish - 3020 Reeves Rd. NE, Warren, Ohio 44483
When: 6:30 p.m.
Who: Parish representatives are asked to attend and learn more about helping those looking for work and dealing with economic stress.
Sponsored by Catholic Charities, Offices of Social Action and Social Services, Diocese of Youngstown
Sharing Hope in Tough Times is a Catholic Charities initiative to engage the Church in ministering to people who have been adversely impacted by the economic crisis. Recognizing that the needs of those impacted are varied and multi-dimensional, Sharing Hope in Tough Times attempts to address spiritual, emotional and material concerns resulting from our troubled economy.
The session on July 7 is free and open to the public. You do not have to live or work in Trumbull County to attend. For more information, contact George Garchar or Rachel Hrbolich at 330-744-8451, or Terry Supancic at 330-372-2215.
In their November 1996 statement, A Catholic Framework for Economic Life, the U. S. Catholic Bishops state, “a fundamental moral measure of any economy is how the poor and vulnerable are faring.” This Independence Day, pray for those most impacted by the current economic conditions in our country, and for our government leaders who have the great responsibility of developing solutions to this crisis.
PAPAL INTENTIONS:
JULY 2008
General:
That there may be an increase in the number of those who volunteer to serve the Christian community with generous and prompt availability
Mission:
That World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia, may kindle the fire of divine love in numerous young people and render them sowers of hope for a new humanity
Corporal Works of Mercy: The seven practices of charity toward our neighbor
Feed the hungry
Give drink to the thirsty
Clothe the naked
Shelter the homeless
Visit the sick
Visit those in prison
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 at: http://corbinchurchthinking.blogspot.com/
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