MONDAY MORNING MISSION MEDITATION for week of November 2, 2008

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


On Sunday (The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, All Souls Day, Sunday Cycle A) we read in the Gospel of John about Jesus' promise "that (he) should not lose anything of what he (the Father) gave me." We are promised that Jesus "will not reject anyone who comes to me (him)." We know that Jesus' sacrifice has given us all new life and that we will meet God face to face at the end times. Further, from the Letter to the Romans, we rest assured that "Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts."

In Catholic Charities, we are oftentimes the last hope that some clients may have. We too, in Jesus' name, will not reject anyone from coming into our doors. Many times we can and do provide immediate financial and social support. Maybe on other occasions we cannot provide a complete answer or adequate help that the client needs or wants, but we will always make sure that we provide all the material or psychological help we can. Sometimes that might be a person to talk with; other times it may mean that we do some advocacy for that client. Regardless, we are committed to being a continual witness of the Church to those who need help, and do not have hope. We live our credo fully: "Provide Help. Create Hope."


Some important date(s) this week:

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3. St.Martin de Porres. 1579-1639. The illegitimate son of a Spanish nobleman, Juan, and a young freed black slave, Anna Velasquez, Martin grew up in poverty. He spent part of his youth with a surgeon-barber from whom he learned some medicine and care of the sick. At age 11 he became a servant in the Holy Rosary Dominican priory in Lima, Peru. Promoted to almoner, he begged more than $2,000 a week from the rich to support the poor and sick of Lima. Placed in charge of the Dominican's infirmary; known for his tender care of the sick and for his spectacular cures. His superiors dropped the stipulation that "no black person may be received to the holy habit or profession of our order" and Martin took vows as a Dominican brother in 1603. Established an orphanage and children's hospital for the poor children of the slums. Set up a shelter for the stray cats and dogs and nursed them back to health. Lived in self-imposed austerity, never ate meat, fasted continuously, and spent much time in prayer and meditation with a great devotion to the Holy Eucharist. Friend of Saint John de Massias. He was venerated from the day of his death. Many miraculous cures, including raising the dead attributed to Brother Martin. First black saint from the Americas. Canonized in 1962. (See his imagine in the Mural of the Blessing of the Nations, in the Cathedral of St. Columba).



PAPAL INTENTIONS:


NOVEMBER 2008
General:
That the testimony of love offered by the Saints, may fortify Christians in their service to God and neighbour, imitating Christ who came not to be served but to serve.
Mission:
That Christian communities in Asia, contemplating the face of Christ, may find the most suitable way to announce Him in full fidelity to the Gospel to the peoples of that vast continent so rich in culture and ancient forms of spirituality.

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/