Catholic Charities. 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: Rooted in the Mission of the Diocese of Youngstown "to minister to the people in the six counties of northeastern Ohio . . .(and) to the world community", we are called 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)
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On Sunday, ( The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ http://usccb.org/bible/readings/061012.cfm) we read from the Gospel of Mark. We hear and reflect on the words of Jesus as He instituted the Eucharist: Take and eat -- my body; take and drink - my blood. We know of Jesus’ tremendous love as he lays downs his life for us. Today we celebrate Corpus Christi http://www.churchyear.net/corpuschristi.html -- giving thanks for that tremendous gift of bread and wine transformed into the most holy body and blood.
In Catholic Charities http://www.ccdoy.org , we are the face, hands and feet of the Lord to bring healing and assistance to those in need. We are part of that Mystical Body of Christ which calls us to serve and love each other. Read a blog http://brianrcorbin.com/2011/06/29/reflections-by-msgr-lewis-gaetano-canton-oh-on-corpus-christi/ by Msgr. Lew Gaetano, pastor of Christ the Servant Parish in Canton, who provides a powerful testimony to this day’s feast.
Reflection from Church Documents and Official Statements
Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship - Part I - The U.S. Bishops’ Reflection On Catholic Teaching And Political Life
Who in the Church Should Participate in Political Life?
13. In the Catholic Tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation. This obligation is rooted in our baptismal commitment to follow Jesus Christ and to bear Christian witness in all we do. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us, "It is necessary that all participate, each according to his position and role, in promoting the common good. This obligation is inherent in the dignity of the human person. . . . As far as possible citizens should take an active part in public life" (nos. 1913-1915).
14.
Unfortunately, politics in our country often can be a contest of
powerful interests, partisan attacks, sound bites, and media hype. The
Church calls for a different kind of political engagement: one shaped by
the moral convictions of well-formed consciences and focused on the
dignity of every human being, the pursuit of the common good, and the
protection of the weak and the vulnerable. The Catholic call to faithful
citizenship affirms the importance of political participation and
insists that public service is a worthy vocation. As Catholics, we
should be guided more by our moral convictions than by our attachment to
a political party or interest group. When necessary, our participation
should help transform the party to which we belong; we should not let
the party transform us in such a way that we neglect or deny fundamental
moral truths. We are called to bring together our principles and our
political choices, our values and our votes, to help build a better
world.
15.
Clergy and lay people have complementary roles in public life. We
bishops have the primary responsibility to hand on the Church's moral
and social teaching. Together with priests and deacons, assisted by
religious and lay leaders of the Church, we are to teach fundamental
moral principles that help Catholics form their consciences correctly,
to provide guidance on the moral dimensions of public decisions, and to
encourage the faithful to carry out their responsibilities in political
life. In fulfilling these responsibilities, the Church's leaders are to
avoid endorsing or opposing candidates or telling people how to vote. As
Pope Benedict XVI stated in Deus Caritas Est,
“The
Church wishes to help form consciences in political life and to
stimulate greater insight into the authentic requirements of justice as
well as greater readiness to act accordingly, even when this might
involve conflict with situations of personal interest. . . . The Church
cannot and must not take upon herself the political battle to bring
about the most just society possible. She cannot and must not replace
the State. Yet at the same time she cannot and must not remain on the
sidelines in the fight for justice.” (no. 28)
16. As the Holy Father also taught in Deus Caritas Est,
"The direct duty to work for a just ordering of society is proper to
the lay faithful" (no. 29). This duty is more critical than ever in
today's political environment, where Catholics may feel politically
disenfranchised, sensing that no party and too few candidates fully
share the Church's comprehensive commitment to the life and dignity of
every human being from conception to natural death. Yet this is not a
time for retreat or discouragement; rather, it is a time for renewed
engagement. Forming their consciences in accord with Catholic teaching,
Catholic lay women and men can become actively involved: running for
office; working within political parties; communicating their concerns
and positions to elected officials; and joining diocesan social mission
or advocacy networks, state Catholic conference initiatives, community
organizations, and other efforts to apply authentic moral teaching in
the public square. Even those who cannot vote have the right to have
their voices heard on issues that affect their lives and the common
good.
Some important date(s) this week:
http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/ByDate.aspx
See website for biographies of Saints and Blessed celebrated this week.
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For Daily Readings http://www.usccb.org/calendar/index.cfm?showLit=1&action=month
CHARITIES NEWSBYTES
Watch for information on the Fortnight for Religious Freedom http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/fortnight-for-freedom/images/fortnight-4-freedom-color-small.jpg
PAPAL INTENTIONS: June 2012
General: Christ, Present in the Eucharist
That believers may recognize in the Eucharist the living presence of the Risen One who accompanies them in daily life.
Mission: European Christians
That
Christians in Europe may rediscover their true identity and participate
with greater enthusiasm in the proclamation of the Gospel.
Corporal Works of Mercy: The seven practices of charity toward our neighbor
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Note: Please consider joining our
FACEBOOK CAUSE http://apps.facebook.com/causes/106889
FACEBOOK GROUP https://www.facebook.com/pages/Catholic-Charities-Diocese-of-Youngstown/138817639487339
TWITTER account, CCDOY, http://twitter.com/CCDOY
for current updates and calls to action that we can all use.
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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