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)
On Sunday (First Sunday of Lent, http://www.usccb.org/nab/022110.shtml Cycle C) we read about Jesus' journey into the desert and his confrontation with temptations. We read in the First Reading from Deuteronomy how Moses led Israel out of bondage into liberation but the people found themselves in the desert on their own journey to find the Promised Land. In both cases, we see and hear how near God is to us: St. Paul tells us that as we hear and speak the Word we see God closer to us. We can be comforted knowing that during our own journey -- during this Lent or in life itself -- God is near us if we only open up to hear his Word.
In Catholic Charities http://www.ccdoy.org we see persons and families who are on their own journey; some may seem lost, in despair, in fear, out of hope. Yet, as as ministry of the Church, Catholic Charities sees the image of God in each face, and we are called to be present to them in their need: we are to be signs of God's presence near to each person and family in need. Despite challenges and temptations, Catholic Charities brings hope to persons seeking to find the love of God.
Reflection from Pope Benedict XVI's Encyclical, Caritas in Veritate:
"The mobility of labour, associated with a climate of deregulation, is an important phenomenon with certain positive aspects, because it can stimulate wealth production and cultural exchange. Nevertheless, uncertainty over working conditions caused by mobility and deregulation, when it becomes endemic, tends to create new forms of psychological instability, giving rise to difficulty in forging coherent life-plans, including that of marriage. This leads to situations of human decline, to say nothing of the waste of social resources. In comparison with the casualties of industrial society in the past, unemployment today provokes new forms of economic marginalization, and the current crisis can only make this situation worse. Being out of work or dependent on public or private assistance for a prolonged period undermines the freedom and creativity of the person and his family and social relationships, causing great psychological and spiritual suffering. I would like to remind everyone, especially governments engaged in boosting the world's economic and social assets, that the primary capital to be safeguarded and valued is man, the human person in his or her integrity: "Man is the source, the focus and the aim of all economic and social life."" (Caritas in Veritate, par 25b).
Note: Please consider joining our
FACEBOOK CAUSE http://apps.facebook.com/causes/106889
FACEBOOK GROUP http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=461833870606
TWITTER account, CCDOY, http://twitter.com/CCDOY
for current updates and calls to action that we can all use.
Some important date(s) this week:
FEBRUARY 22. CHAIR of ST. PETER This feast commemorates Christ's choosing Peter to sit in his place as the servant-authority of the whole Church
Sharing Hope In Tough Times: Catholic Charities Responds to Families Facing Economic Crisis
Reflection: Still need an idea for Lent? Donate your favorite personal care products (unopened) to the local Catholic Charities' agency, First Step progam, and use the off brands yourself.
Intention: That we all discover the great rewards in giving of ourselves during this Lenten season.
PAPAL INTENTIONS: FEBRUARY 2010
Scholars
General: For all scholars and intellectuals, that by means of sincere search for the truth they may arrive at an understanding of the one true God.
The Church’s Missionary Identity
Missionary: That the Church, aware of its own missionary identity, may strive to follow Christ faithfully and to proclaim His Gospel to all peoples.
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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