MONDAY MORNING MISSION MEDITATION for the week of July 4, 2010

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)

On Sunday (14th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle C, http://www.usccb.org/nab/070410.shtml ) we read in the Gospel of Luke about Jesus' commissioning 72 other disciples to go ahead of him to various communities in order to prepare for his visits. These newly appointed missionaries are given orders on how to behave in his name and are told to heal those who are sick and to announce that the Kingdom of God is at hand.


In Catholic Charities http://www.ccdoy.org , we too are like those 72 disciples. We are called to announce the Good News that the Kingdom of God is at hand. This Kingdom is brought to realization in every encounter we have with someone who calls or visits our Catholic Charities' offices. We are called to bring healing and comfort to those in distress. Like in today's first reading from the Prophet Isaiah, we are witnesses to that promise of God that "As nurslings, you shall be carried in her arms, and fondled in her lap; as a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.." That is what being a missionary in the world entails: helping others experience the Kingdom of God which is close at hand.



Reflection from Pope Benedict XVI's Encyclical, Caritas in Veritate

"The Church's social doctrine holds that authentically human social relationships of friendship, solidarity and reciprocity can also be conducted within economic activity, and not only outside it or 'after' it. The economic sphere is neither ethically neutral, nor inherently inhuman and opposed to society. It is part and parcel of human activity and precisely because it is human, it must be structured and governed in an ethical manner." (par. 36c)


http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20090629_caritas-in-veritate_en.htm

Some important date(s) this week:
http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/ByDate.aspx



TUESDAY, JULY 6. Isaiah the Prophet Eighth century BC Old Testament prophet. Killed at the order of King Manasses of Juda.



SHARING HOPE IN HARD ECONOMIC TIMES.

Unemployment rates have decreased slightly in our diocesan region over the past month. But 12-13% is still a morally unacceptable rate. Catholic Charities works with parishes to create support networks for persons who face unemployment. If you are interested in becoming more involved, contact Rachel or George at 330-744-8451.


Intention: As we celebrate our independence this weekend, pray for those who are held captive by poverty, violence, and neglect in our great nation.


PAPAL INTENTIONS: JULY 2010

Justice in Electing those who Govern
General: That in every nation of the world the election of officials may be carried out with justice, transparency and honesty, respecting the free decisions of citizens.

An Urban Culture of Justice, Solidarity and Peace
Missionary:That Christians may strive to offer everywhere, but especially in great urban centers, an effective contribution to the promotion of education, justice, solidarity and peace.



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

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.

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/