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 (Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion Year A http://www.usccb.org/nab/041711.shtml) we read in the Gospel of Matthew about the trial, suffering and crucifixion of Jesus. We hear, in the Letter to the Philippians, the powerful hymn celebrating Jesus’ willingness to fulfill His Father’s will by becoming one with us, and suffering death, even death on a tree. Our Savior is one who does not use power for his own glory but rather offers a model of service: love until the end.
In Catholic Charities http://www.ccdoy.org , we offer this same message of hope and love. We are called, as ministries of the Church in Jesus’ name, to be in solidarity with those whom we serve. We are called to help others to find hope, solace, joy and peace in their daily struggles. Sometimes material assistance is needed; other times, spiritual and emotional comfort. Oftentimes both are required. Jesus prayed, lived and suffered with us. He demonstrates a love that brings hope and joy. That is our model for service.
Reflection from Pope Benedict XVI's Encyclical, Caritas in Veritate
Cooperation for development must not be concerned exclusively with the economic dimension: it offers a wonderful opportunity for encounter between cultures and peoples. If the parties to cooperation on the side of economically developed countries — as occasionally happens — fail to take account of their own or others' cultural identity, or the human values that shape it, they cannot enter into meaningful dialogue with the citizens of poor countries. If the latter, in their turn, are uncritically and indiscriminately open to every cultural proposal, they will not be in a position to assume responsibility for their own authentic development. Technologically advanced societies must not confuse their own technological development with a presumed cultural superiority, but must rather rediscover within themselves the oft-forgotten virtues which made it possible for them to flourish throughout their history. Evolving societies must remain faithful to all that is truly human in their traditions, avoiding the temptation to overlay them automatically with the mechanisms of a globalized technological civilization. In all cultures there are examples of ethical convergence, some isolated, some interrelated, as an expression of the one human nature, willed by the Creator; the tradition of ethical wisdom knows this as the natural law. This universal moral law provides a sound basis for all cultural, religious and political dialogue, and it ensures that the multi-faceted pluralism of cultural diversity does not detach itself from the common quest for truth, goodness and God. Thus adherence to the law etched on human hearts is the precondition for all constructive social cooperation. Every culture has burdens from which it must be freed and shadows from which it must emerge. The Christian faith, by becoming incarnate in cultures and at the same time transcending them, can help them grow in universal brotherhood and solidarity, for the advancement of global and community development (par. 59)
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
See website for biographies of Saints and Blessed celebrated this week.
For details on Holy Week, visit http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07435a.htm
THURSDAY, April 21. HOLY THURSDAY
a. Mass of Chrism. This celebration and blessing of the Holy Oils will be held at 10:30 am the Cathedral of St. Columba.
b. Mass of Lord’s Last Supper.
FRIDAY, April 22. Good Friday
SATURDAY, April 23. Holy Saturday
SUNDAY, April 24. Easter. Celebration of the Lord’s Resurrection
Questions to Examine Conscience in the Light of Catholic Social Teaching http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/projects/socialteaching/examine.shtml This examination can be used as a supplement to the traditional examination of conscience during Penance services or the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
OPERATION RICE BOWL: PRAY. FAST. GIVE. Weekly reflection. Please consider donating to Operation Rice Bowl due on Holy Thursday at your local parish. If you prefer to donation directly, send check to Operation Rice Bowl/Catholic Relief Services mail to: Social Action Office, Diocese of Youngstown, 144 W. Wood Street Youngstown, OH 44503 or visit www.ccdoy.org
SHARING HOPE IN HARD ECONOMIC TIMES.
As we prepare for Holy Week, pray for peace. Pray for those who are victims of violence and for those who are oppressed. Pray for victims of abuse and human trafficking. Pray for peace in families, in our communities, in our nation, and in our world.
PAPAL INTENTIONS: April 2011
General Intention: That the Church may offer new generations, through the believable proclamation of the Gospel, ever-new reasons of life and hope.
Missionary Intention: That missionaries, with the proclamation of the Gospel and their witness of life, may bring Christ to all those who do not yet know Him.
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
FACEBOOK FAN
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/
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