MONDAY MORNING MISSION MEDITATION for week of October 5, 2008

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


On Sunday (27th Ordinary Time Sunday Cycle A) we read in the Gospel of Matthew about Jesus' parable about the vineyard keeper and his hope that the caretakers will maintain and expand his vineyard while he is away. In time, the owner sends messengers to see how the fields are progressing; they are killed or turned away. Finally the owner sends his son -- certainly the tenants would not kill his own son. Alas, they kill the owner's son. St Paul reminds us, in his letter to the Philippians, that we must continue to live like and be conformed to that which is excellent, living the life of Jesus himself.

As leaders/workers in Catholic Charities, we are called upon to care for the "vineyard" of the people that we have been entrusted with: the poor and the needy among us. We will be judged, like in the first reading from Isaiah and in the Gospel, on how well we cultivate the vineyard and build a community of justice and peace. As Catholic Charities we serve people, we advocate for just structures, and convene people to do the same. We must continue to be prophets in our own places, and call people to work for justice so that God will be pleased with our efforts to bring his kingdom here and now.



Some important date(s) this week:

SATURDAY, October 11. Blessed Angela Truszkowska (1825-1899) we honor a woman who submitted to God's will throughout her life—a life filled with pain and suffering. Born in 1825 in central Poland and baptized Sophia, she contracted tuberculosis as a young girl. The forced period of convalescence gave her ample time for reflection. Sophia felt called to serve God by working with the poor, including street children and the elderly homeless in Warsaw's slums. In time, her cousin joined her in the work. Mother Angela served as superior for many years until ill health forced her to resign at the age of 44. She watched the order, the Felician Sisters, grow and expand, including missions to the United States among the sons and daughters of Polish immigrants. Pope John Paul II beatified her in 1993.

PAPAL INTENTIONS:

OCTOBER 2008
General:
That the Synod of Bishops may help bishops and theologians as well as catechists and pastoral workers engaged in the service of the Word of God transmit with courage the truth of the faith in communion with the entire Church.
Mission:
That in this month dedicated to the missions, through the promotional activities of the Pontifical Missionary Works and other organisms, the Christian may feel the need to participate in the Church’s universal mission with prayer, sacrifice and concrete help.

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/