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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.
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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.
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GOALS: Catholic Charities is devoted to helping meet basic human needs, strengthening families, building communities and empowering low-income people.
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KEY VALUE: Hospitality
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On Sunday (19th Ordinary Time Sunday, Cycle A) we read in the Gospel how Jesus challenges us to have faith and not be afraid. We hear how the Prophet Elijah, who earlier had witnessed the grand power of Yahweh through fire, now finds GOD in the quiet of a whisper. Peter, the Rock, begins to sink as he places demands on Jesus to enable him to walk on the water, but finally realizes that Jesus is truly holding on to him despite his fears and doubts. Jesus provides a lasting model: the boat on the sea is the Church itself. No wind or storm will topple it. We too can find GOD in the grand events and in the smallest of moments.
As Catholic Charities, we are called to remain as faithful as we can to our mission and work. We are part of that boat on a turbulent sea. We are the ones that people come to for help in their own lives, who sometimes feel that they are drowning under the weight of suffering or despair. As a ministry of the Church, we are that ever present arm of Jesus holding on to those in need. Even the smallest effort -- like giving a smile or gentle response over the phone - provides others with the presence of the LORD in their life.
Thanks for all you do.
.
Some important date(s) this week:
MONDAY AUGUST 11. St. Clare of Assisi (1194-1253). At 18, she escaped one night from her father’s home, was met on the road by friars carrying torches, and in the poor little chapel called the Portiuncula received a rough woolen habit, exchanged her jeweled belt for a common rope with knots in it, and sacrificed the long tresses to Francis’ scissors. They lived a simple life of great poverty, austerity and complete seclusion from the world, according to a Rule which Francis gave them as a Second Order (Poor Clares). Francis obliged her under obedience at age 21 to accept the office of abbess, one she exercised until her death. The greatest emphasis, of course, was on gospel poverty. They possessed no property, even in common, subsisting on daily contributions. When even the pope tried to persuade her to mitigate this practice, she showed her characteristic firmness: “I need to be absolved from my sins, but I do not wish to be absolved from the obligation of following Jesus Christ.”
FRIDAY, AUGUST 15. SOLEMNITY OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. On November 1, 1950, Pius XII defined the Assumption of Mary to be a dogma of faith: “We pronounce, declare and define it to be a divinely revealed dogma that the immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul to heavenly glory.” The pope proclaimed this dogma only after a broad consultation of bishops, theologians and laity. What the pope solemnly declared was already a common belief in the Catholic Church.
We find homilies on the Assumption going back to the sixth century. In following centuries the Eastern Churches held steadily to the doctrine, but some authors in the West were hesitant. However, by the thirteenth century there was universal agreement. The feast was celebrated under various names (Commemoration, Dormition, Passing, Assumption) from at least the fifth or sixth century. Scripture does not give an account of Mary’s Assumption into heaven. Nevertheless, Revelation 12 speaks of a woman who is caught up in the battle between good and evil. Many see this woman as God’s people. Since Mary best embodies the people of both Old and New Testament, her Assumption can be seen as an exemplification of the woman’s victory.
PAPAL INTENTIONS:
General:
That the human family may learn to respect God’s plan for the world and become ever more aware that Creation is God’s great gift.
Mission:
That the answer of the entire people of God to the common calling to holiness and mission may be promoted and fostered by means of careful discernment of charisms and constant commitment to spiritual and cultural formation
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. peace, brian
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