VATICAN CITY, 27 NOV 2008 (VIS) - Made public today was an address by Msgr. Renato Volante, head of the Holy See delegation to the 35th special session of the Conference of the Rome-based U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). The meeting was called to examine the results of an evaluation into the management of the FAO and to analyse proposals to make the organisation better able to deal with problems related to the rural world.
"The delegation of the Holy See does not want to offer technical solutions", said Msgr. Volante speaking English, "but rather to suggest an ideal orientation which may help in making concrete choices, focusing on the needs of each human person, especially when they are limited by conditions which compromise a dignified human life.
"If we consider the data regarding FAO activities", he added, "it shows a constant and active engagement ... responding to the needs of the member States, in particular of those whose economic system requires new paths for the development of the agricultural sector and to satisfy the growing needs for food".
"At the same time, looking at the future of FAO, it becomes clear that there are 'new' situations involving the agricultural sector which demand efforts by the organisation and its member States".
"To bring about a reform of FAO, it is necessary to recognise that fighting against hunger is conditioned by multiple factors and by the motives inspiring it. But too often strategies are adopted which pursue particular goals rather then a holistic vision which ranks human needs first. Such an attitude produces negative effects in the rural sector, especially where poverty, underdevelopment, malnutrition and environmental degradation are more evident".
"The delegation of the Holy See is firmly convinced that the FAO structure and its activities must underline the essential importance of agriculture in the development processes, not promoting mere management skills, but those far-sighted administrative criteria and interventions which will really respond to the needs".
"This means that research aimed at improving agricultural production so as to meet the growing demand for food, must not overlook food security - which is the health of consumers - nor crop sustainability, i.e. environmental protection. For these objectives, invoked in different ways by every State as a 'priority', it is necessary that FAO must continue to enjoy the resources and the necessary trust of the international community as a whole".
The head of the Holy See delegation concluded by saying that, "the Holy See, for its part, wants to reaffirm the availability of the Catholic Church, its structure and organisational bodies, to contribute to this effort so that everybody can receive his 'daily bread', as the motto of FAO itself reminds us: Fiat panis!'"
DELSS/FAO REFORM/VOLANTE VIS 081127 (470)
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
US Bishops' Conference/Catholic Relief Services call for Strong international affairs budget. Please consider acting
Urge Congress to invest in a more prosperous and just world
Write your members of Congress now!
TAKE ACTION NOW! Ask your members of Congress to sign a bipartisan letter to President-elect Barack Obama in support of a strong international affairs budget that includes critical assistance for poor and marginalized people worldwide.
WHAT WILL THIS ACTION ACCOMPLISH? A bipartisan group of Senators and Representatives has prepared a letter to President-elect Obama to urge him to include a strong international affairs budget in his overall proposal for the fiscal year 2010 U.S. government budget. While the current financial crisis is seriously straining our nation, now more than ever is the time for the U.S. to remain engaged in the world. A strong international affairs budget will demonstrate our nation’s commitment to help poor people. In the long-term, such investments will also promote a more stable world and protect the global economy.
WHY IS THE INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS BUDGET IMPORTANT? The U.S. international affairs budget includes overall funding levels for our nations’ investments in global humanitarian, economic, and diplomatic initiatives. Catholic Relief Services (CRS) receives some of the funding from the international affairs budget for its emergency response, agriculture, education, HIV and other health programs.
At this point in the process of developing the 2010 international affairs budget, CRS and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) are principally concerned with advocating for the highest possible total funding level. That will allow the programs that we care about most the ones that feed millions of hungry people, save millions of lives affected by HIV, help poor people start their own business and become financially independent and educate millions of children around the globe to expand and multiply. It is only later in the budget process that we will focus our advocacy on specific programs that address poverty and injustice.
HOW MUCH MONEY IS THE U.S. INVESTING IN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS? The majority of Americans believe that we spend much more money on international affairs initiatives than we actually do. Only about one percent of the entire U.S. government budget or a little more than 34 billion funds international initiatives. While the international affairs budget has grown in recent years, it is still far less in real terms than at the height of the Cold War. Especially as the global economy faces challenges, the poor and marginalized need our assistance.
WHAT DOES THE INTERNATONAL AFFAIRS BUDGET HAVE TO DO WITH MY FAITH? Catholic social teaching is rooted in upholding the fundamental dignity of every human life and directs us to be in solidarity with our neighbors. As Catholics, we are called to help people who are poor, dying, and sick whether they live here in the United States or across all continents. A strong U.S. international affairs budget can demonstrate our nation’s moral commitment to upholding human life and dignity by providing much needed funding to programs that help feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the refugee, and heal the sick.
HOW CAN I CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE CHURCH’S EFFORTS TO END GLOBAL POVERTY?
CRS and the USCCB welcome you to join our Catholic Campaign Against Global Poverty that seeks to address some of the root causes of global poverty. Please visit our campaign website to join today.
Write your members of Congress now!
TAKE ACTION NOW! Ask your members of Congress to sign a bipartisan letter to President-elect Barack Obama in support of a strong international affairs budget that includes critical assistance for poor and marginalized people worldwide.
WHAT WILL THIS ACTION ACCOMPLISH? A bipartisan group of Senators and Representatives has prepared a letter to President-elect Obama to urge him to include a strong international affairs budget in his overall proposal for the fiscal year 2010 U.S. government budget. While the current financial crisis is seriously straining our nation, now more than ever is the time for the U.S. to remain engaged in the world. A strong international affairs budget will demonstrate our nation’s commitment to help poor people. In the long-term, such investments will also promote a more stable world and protect the global economy.
WHY IS THE INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS BUDGET IMPORTANT? The U.S. international affairs budget includes overall funding levels for our nations’ investments in global humanitarian, economic, and diplomatic initiatives. Catholic Relief Services (CRS) receives some of the funding from the international affairs budget for its emergency response, agriculture, education, HIV and other health programs.
At this point in the process of developing the 2010 international affairs budget, CRS and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) are principally concerned with advocating for the highest possible total funding level. That will allow the programs that we care about most the ones that feed millions of hungry people, save millions of lives affected by HIV, help poor people start their own business and become financially independent and educate millions of children around the globe to expand and multiply. It is only later in the budget process that we will focus our advocacy on specific programs that address poverty and injustice.
HOW MUCH MONEY IS THE U.S. INVESTING IN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS? The majority of Americans believe that we spend much more money on international affairs initiatives than we actually do. Only about one percent of the entire U.S. government budget or a little more than 34 billion funds international initiatives. While the international affairs budget has grown in recent years, it is still far less in real terms than at the height of the Cold War. Especially as the global economy faces challenges, the poor and marginalized need our assistance.
WHAT DOES THE INTERNATONAL AFFAIRS BUDGET HAVE TO DO WITH MY FAITH? Catholic social teaching is rooted in upholding the fundamental dignity of every human life and directs us to be in solidarity with our neighbors. As Catholics, we are called to help people who are poor, dying, and sick whether they live here in the United States or across all continents. A strong U.S. international affairs budget can demonstrate our nation’s moral commitment to upholding human life and dignity by providing much needed funding to programs that help feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the refugee, and heal the sick.
HOW CAN I CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE CHURCH’S EFFORTS TO END GLOBAL POVERTY?
CRS and the USCCB welcome you to join our Catholic Campaign Against Global Poverty that seeks to address some of the root causes of global poverty. Please visit our campaign website to join today.
CDF new Bioethics Document...forthcoming
Bioethics document coming in December
Posted on November 26, 2008 by John Thavis from CNS news blog
VATICAN CITY — A new Vatican instruction on bioethics, prepared by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, is scheduled to be published Dec. 12, informed sources said Wednesday.
The document, under discussion for at least two years, is expected to examine ethical issues in biological research and health care that have emerged in recent years, including the cloning and freezing of human embryos, stem cell research and new therapeutic possibilities.
When members of the doctrinal congregation met in a plenary session last January, U.S. Cardinal William J. Levada, congregation prefect, said much of their discussion focused on the field of bioethics.
At that time, the cardinal hinted that a document was in the works. He said it might examine new therapeutic options and some ethical problems that were not explicitly considered by two previous church documents: the doctrinal congregation’s instruction “Donum Vitae” (”The Gift of Life”) in 1987 and Pope John Paul II’s encyclical, “Evangelium Vitae” (”The Gospel of Life”) in 1995.
Pope Benedict XVI was head of the doctrinal congregation when both those documents were published. Addressing the congregation in January, the pope said the new problems included the freezing of human embryos, the selective reduction of embryos, pre-implant diagnosis, research on embryonic stem cells and attempts at human cloning.
The pope said the starting point for the church’s reflection remains the same:
"The two fundamental criteria for moral discernment in this field are unconditional respect for the human being as a person from the moment of conception to natural death, (and) respect for the originality of the transmission of human life through the acts proper to spouses."
The new document is expected to be unveiled at a Vatican press conference, the sources said.
Posted on November 26, 2008 by John Thavis from CNS news blog
VATICAN CITY — A new Vatican instruction on bioethics, prepared by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, is scheduled to be published Dec. 12, informed sources said Wednesday.
The document, under discussion for at least two years, is expected to examine ethical issues in biological research and health care that have emerged in recent years, including the cloning and freezing of human embryos, stem cell research and new therapeutic possibilities.
When members of the doctrinal congregation met in a plenary session last January, U.S. Cardinal William J. Levada, congregation prefect, said much of their discussion focused on the field of bioethics.
At that time, the cardinal hinted that a document was in the works. He said it might examine new therapeutic options and some ethical problems that were not explicitly considered by two previous church documents: the doctrinal congregation’s instruction “Donum Vitae” (”The Gift of Life”) in 1987 and Pope John Paul II’s encyclical, “Evangelium Vitae” (”The Gospel of Life”) in 1995.
Pope Benedict XVI was head of the doctrinal congregation when both those documents were published. Addressing the congregation in January, the pope said the new problems included the freezing of human embryos, the selective reduction of embryos, pre-implant diagnosis, research on embryonic stem cells and attempts at human cloning.
The pope said the starting point for the church’s reflection remains the same:
"The two fundamental criteria for moral discernment in this field are unconditional respect for the human being as a person from the moment of conception to natural death, (and) respect for the originality of the transmission of human life through the acts proper to spouses."
The new document is expected to be unveiled at a Vatican press conference, the sources said.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Vatican Official Urges a Culture of Respect
Solidarity Called Christian Response to Migration
LIVERPOOL, England, NOV. 24, 2008 ( Zenit.org ).- In a world with more than 200 million migrants and refugees, the Vatican is encouraging a "culture of solidarity" that respects people's material and spiritual needs and, especially, their dignity.
Archbishop Agostino Marchetto, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Travelers, promoted this culture in a conference sponsored by the Council of European Episcopal Conferences and the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar.
The Wednesday through Sunday conference focused on "The Pastoral Care of Migrants, Refugees and Foreign Students."
In the Church, the prelate observed in his address, no one is a foreigner, because it embraces every nation, race, people and tongue. Christ, moreover, is present in the Church, bringing it to walk "with and toward" him.
The unity of the Church, the archbishop continued, "does not stem from her members having an identical national or ethnic origin but from the Spirit of Pentecost, who makes all nations a new people whose goal is the Kingdom, whose condition is the freedom of sons and daughters, and whose statute is the law of love."
Thus, the Church feels that it is profoundly involved in the "evolution of civilization of which [human] mobility is a striking feature," and is therefore called "to proclaim peace also in situations of forced migrations," he said.
"To walk with and toward Jesus Christ, present in the refugees, a fundamental biblical vision has to sustain us," Archbishop Marchetto continued, noting that the history of salvation went through various stages regarding the treatment of foreigners.
"On the one hand there was some fear that relations with foreigners might lead to a loss of religious purity and consequently of national identity. The Israelites, in fact, had to protect themselves against this, with the consequential behavior whereby intermarriages were forbidden and observances of purity needed to be followed," he said.
In other cases, the prelate continued, "the stranger was to be treated in the same way as the Israelites," based in the outlook that sought justice also for the vulnerable: the poor, the widows and the orphans.
"The Israelites were therefore frequently reminded of God's special concern for the weak. […] [The weak] were not to be abused and were to receive equal treatment before the law," the archbishop explained.
Jesus, too
Christ would take up the same position, expressing a preference for the excluded who were considered ritually impure. Christ, the prelate affirmed, "does not hesitate to associate himself with foreigners."
This outlook was also promoted and transmitted by the first Christian communities, which built up "equality and unity among different peoples who gave witness to [Jesus] and announced the Gospel," he said.
Little by little, hospitality became an integral component of Christianity, the prelate continued, with structures such as monasteries, which provided room for travelers and care for the ill, as well as providing for the poor of the local community.
Refugees are "always in the heart of the Church" Archbishop Marchetto affirmed. Ministry should thus take into account both spiritual and physical needs, with special emphasis on protecting family unity.
Personal responsibility
The Church is guided in this ministry by the principles of social doctrine, the Vatican official continued. One of the main principles of this doctrine is the fundamental dignity of every human person, such that if a person cannot live a decent life in his homeland, "he has the right, under given circumstances, to move elsewhere."
Aware of the grave situations in which refugees find themselves, the archbishop added, the Church believes this problem can only be resolved with sincere international collaboration.
"In order for this to happen," he said, "it is necessary for a culture of solidarity and interdependence to spread and deeply penetrate the universal conscience and in this way sensitize public authorities, international organizations and private citizens to the duty of accepting and sharing with those who are poorest."
Long-term policy making should be accompanied by attention to the immediate needs of migrants and refugees who continue to knock at the doors of countries that enjoy a high level of development, the archbishop added.
Solidarity, he affirmed, "is the Christian response, both personal and collective, also for globalization. It begins in everyone's heart, when he considers the other -- and not only the poor -- a brother, a sister, rather even more, because he is a member of the body of Christ itself. And in exercising responsibility, no one can take my place in doing what I can do. Let each one of us therefore feel called to respond personally."
--- --- ---
LIVERPOOL, England, NOV. 24, 2008 ( Zenit.org ).- In a world with more than 200 million migrants and refugees, the Vatican is encouraging a "culture of solidarity" that respects people's material and spiritual needs and, especially, their dignity.
Archbishop Agostino Marchetto, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Travelers, promoted this culture in a conference sponsored by the Council of European Episcopal Conferences and the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar.
The Wednesday through Sunday conference focused on "The Pastoral Care of Migrants, Refugees and Foreign Students."
In the Church, the prelate observed in his address, no one is a foreigner, because it embraces every nation, race, people and tongue. Christ, moreover, is present in the Church, bringing it to walk "with and toward" him.
The unity of the Church, the archbishop continued, "does not stem from her members having an identical national or ethnic origin but from the Spirit of Pentecost, who makes all nations a new people whose goal is the Kingdom, whose condition is the freedom of sons and daughters, and whose statute is the law of love."
Thus, the Church feels that it is profoundly involved in the "evolution of civilization of which [human] mobility is a striking feature," and is therefore called "to proclaim peace also in situations of forced migrations," he said.
"To walk with and toward Jesus Christ, present in the refugees, a fundamental biblical vision has to sustain us," Archbishop Marchetto continued, noting that the history of salvation went through various stages regarding the treatment of foreigners.
"On the one hand there was some fear that relations with foreigners might lead to a loss of religious purity and consequently of national identity. The Israelites, in fact, had to protect themselves against this, with the consequential behavior whereby intermarriages were forbidden and observances of purity needed to be followed," he said.
In other cases, the prelate continued, "the stranger was to be treated in the same way as the Israelites," based in the outlook that sought justice also for the vulnerable: the poor, the widows and the orphans.
"The Israelites were therefore frequently reminded of God's special concern for the weak. […] [The weak] were not to be abused and were to receive equal treatment before the law," the archbishop explained.
Jesus, too
Christ would take up the same position, expressing a preference for the excluded who were considered ritually impure. Christ, the prelate affirmed, "does not hesitate to associate himself with foreigners."
This outlook was also promoted and transmitted by the first Christian communities, which built up "equality and unity among different peoples who gave witness to [Jesus] and announced the Gospel," he said.
Little by little, hospitality became an integral component of Christianity, the prelate continued, with structures such as monasteries, which provided room for travelers and care for the ill, as well as providing for the poor of the local community.
Refugees are "always in the heart of the Church" Archbishop Marchetto affirmed. Ministry should thus take into account both spiritual and physical needs, with special emphasis on protecting family unity.
Personal responsibility
The Church is guided in this ministry by the principles of social doctrine, the Vatican official continued. One of the main principles of this doctrine is the fundamental dignity of every human person, such that if a person cannot live a decent life in his homeland, "he has the right, under given circumstances, to move elsewhere."
Aware of the grave situations in which refugees find themselves, the archbishop added, the Church believes this problem can only be resolved with sincere international collaboration.
"In order for this to happen," he said, "it is necessary for a culture of solidarity and interdependence to spread and deeply penetrate the universal conscience and in this way sensitize public authorities, international organizations and private citizens to the duty of accepting and sharing with those who are poorest."
Long-term policy making should be accompanied by attention to the immediate needs of migrants and refugees who continue to knock at the doors of countries that enjoy a high level of development, the archbishop added.
Solidarity, he affirmed, "is the Christian response, both personal and collective, also for globalization. It begins in everyone's heart, when he considers the other -- and not only the poor -- a brother, a sister, rather even more, because he is a member of the body of Christ itself. And in exercising responsibility, no one can take my place in doing what I can do. Let each one of us therefore feel called to respond personally."
--- --- ---
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Pope's Angelus meditation on Christ the King, Nov 23, 2008
Today, on this final Sunday of the liturgical year, the solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of the Universe. We know from the Gospels that Jesus refused the title of king when this was intended in a political sense, along the lines of the "kings of the nations" (cf Mt 20:24). Instead, during his passion, he took upon himself a singular regalness before Pilate, who asked him: "Are you a king?" and Jesus replied: "You say I am a king" (Jn 18:37); but shortly before this he declared: "my kingdom is not one of this world" (Jn 18:36). The royalty of Christ, in fact, is the revelation and accomplishment of God the Father, who governs all things with love and justice. The Father entrusted to his Son the mission of giving eternal life to man, loving him even unto the supreme sacrifice, and at the same time conferring on him the power of judgment, from the moment he became Son of man, like us in every way (Jn 5:21-22,26-27).
Today's Gospel insists upon the universal royalty of Christ the Judge, with the magnificent parable of the final judgment, which St Matthew placed immediately before his account of the Passion (25:31-46). The images are simple, the language is common, but the message is extremely important: it is the truth on our ultimate destiny and on the criteria with which we will be valued. "I was hungry and you gave me good, I was thirsty and you gave me to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me" (Mt 25:35) and so forth. Who isn't familiar with this? It's a part of our civilization. It's marked the story of the peoples of Christian culture: the hierarchy of values, institutions, the host of beneficial social works. In effect, the reign of Christ is not of this world, but brings to completion all the good that, thanks be to God, exists in man and in history. If we put into practice our love for our neighbor, according to the Gospel message, we then pave the way for the lordship of God, and his kingdom is realized by means of us. If instead each one thinks only of his own interests, the world can't help but go forward in ruins.
Dear friends, the kingdom of God is not a question of honors and appearances, but as St Paul writes, it is "justice, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Rm 4:17). To the Lord takes our good to heart, that each man and woman might have life, and especially that his "smallest" of children might join in the banquet he has prepared for all. Thus he knows not what to make of those kind of hypocrites who say "Lord, Lord" and then transgress his commandments (cf Mt 7:21). In his eternal kingdom, God welcomes those who push themselves day after day to put into practice his word. For this the Virgin Mary, the humblest of all creatures, is the greatest in his eyes and sits as Queen at the right hand of Christ the King. To her heavenly intercession let us entrust ourselves again with a child's trust, that we might realize our Christian mission in the world.
Today's Gospel insists upon the universal royalty of Christ the Judge, with the magnificent parable of the final judgment, which St Matthew placed immediately before his account of the Passion (25:31-46). The images are simple, the language is common, but the message is extremely important: it is the truth on our ultimate destiny and on the criteria with which we will be valued. "I was hungry and you gave me good, I was thirsty and you gave me to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me" (Mt 25:35) and so forth. Who isn't familiar with this? It's a part of our civilization. It's marked the story of the peoples of Christian culture: the hierarchy of values, institutions, the host of beneficial social works. In effect, the reign of Christ is not of this world, but brings to completion all the good that, thanks be to God, exists in man and in history. If we put into practice our love for our neighbor, according to the Gospel message, we then pave the way for the lordship of God, and his kingdom is realized by means of us. If instead each one thinks only of his own interests, the world can't help but go forward in ruins.
Dear friends, the kingdom of God is not a question of honors and appearances, but as St Paul writes, it is "justice, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Rm 4:17). To the Lord takes our good to heart, that each man and woman might have life, and especially that his "smallest" of children might join in the banquet he has prepared for all. Thus he knows not what to make of those kind of hypocrites who say "Lord, Lord" and then transgress his commandments (cf Mt 7:21). In his eternal kingdom, God welcomes those who push themselves day after day to put into practice his word. For this the Virgin Mary, the humblest of all creatures, is the greatest in his eyes and sits as Queen at the right hand of Christ the King. To her heavenly intercession let us entrust ourselves again with a child's trust, that we might realize our Christian mission in the world.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
MONDAY MORNING MISSION MEDITATION, week of November 23, 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
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 (Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King, A Cycle ) we read in Matthew's gospel about the story of the Last Judgment. We are confronted with the a final question: how did each of us respond to Jesus? Who, Lord? If we knew it was you, we certainly would have been there for you.....but no, we are challenged: how did you respond to the least of these brothers and sisters of mine? How you responded to them is how you responded to Me. We hear this echoed in the first reading from the Prophet Ezekiel, "The lost I will seek out, the strayed I will bring back,
the injured I will bind up, the sick I will heal..." One artwork which helps articulate this idea includes the work "Christ of the Breadline" by Fritz Eichenberg (1901-1990)
Father Raniero Cantalamessa, the Preacher of the Papal Household, writes in his reflections on these readings today: "The solemnity of Christ the King, with the Gospel of the final judgment, responds to the most universal of human hopes. It assures us that injustice and evil will not have the last word and at the same time it calls on us to live in such a way that justice is not a condemnation for us, but salvation, and we can be those to whom Christ will say: 'Come, blessed of my Father, take possession of the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.'"
At Catholic Charities, we are called to help others respond to the needs of our brothers and sisters, as though they were Jesus himself.
Some important date(s) this week:
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27. Happy Thanksgiving. Please pray for the St. Vincent de Paul Dining Hall volunteers and staff, who are working today. Thanks for all you do!
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/
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
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 (Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King, A Cycle ) we read in Matthew's gospel about the story of the Last Judgment. We are confronted with the a final question: how did each of us respond to Jesus? Who, Lord? If we knew it was you, we certainly would have been there for you.....but no, we are challenged: how did you respond to the least of these brothers and sisters of mine? How you responded to them is how you responded to Me. We hear this echoed in the first reading from the Prophet Ezekiel, "The lost I will seek out, the strayed I will bring back,
the injured I will bind up, the sick I will heal..." One artwork which helps articulate this idea includes the work "Christ of the Breadline" by Fritz Eichenberg (1901-1990)
Father Raniero Cantalamessa, the Preacher of the Papal Household, writes in his reflections on these readings today: "The solemnity of Christ the King, with the Gospel of the final judgment, responds to the most universal of human hopes. It assures us that injustice and evil will not have the last word and at the same time it calls on us to live in such a way that justice is not a condemnation for us, but salvation, and we can be those to whom Christ will say: 'Come, blessed of my Father, take possession of the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.'"
At Catholic Charities, we are called to help others respond to the needs of our brothers and sisters, as though they were Jesus himself.
Some important date(s) this week:
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27. Happy Thanksgiving. Please pray for the St. Vincent de Paul Dining Hall volunteers and staff, who are working today. Thanks for all you do!
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/
COR UNUM: Bishops Urged to Be Leaders in Charity
ZE08112106 - 2008-11-21
Permalink: http://www.zenit.org/article-24327?l=english
BISHOPS URGED TO BE LEADERS IN CHARITY
Cardinal Says It's a Responsibility of Evangelization
VATICAN CITY, NOV. 21, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Bishops must be careful not to delegate too much charity work to others, as it's necessary that they take an active leadership role themselves, says the president of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum.
Cardinal Paul Josef Cordes, president of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, said this Thursday on Vatican Radio, after having returned from a trip to the United States. The cardinal participated in the U.S. bishops' fall meeting in Baltimore, Maryland, and met with directors of Catholic Charities and Catholic Relief Services.
Upon his return to Rome, the cardinal repeated his message to the U.S. bishops. He warned against a double risk: "on one hand, that bishops have the feeling that charitable works 'walk alone,' and on the other, that the organizations that carry them out are separate to the mission of the Church."
"It is necessary that bishops recover their responsibility in regard to evangelization, of which charitable action is a part," he explained.
Cor Unum's president reminded his listeners that the encyclical "Deus Caritas Est" underlines "the responsibility of the bishop himself so that charity is a clearly ecclesial work. He cannot delegate completely to others: He must allow himself to be helped, always remembering that he is the decisive person in charitable work."
No accident
For Cardinal Cordes, "there is in the world today great sensitivity to the commandment to love one's neighbor," hence, "it's no accident that the Pope chose this argument for his first encyclical."
"With it, he wished to launch a message: If one loves one's neighbor, it is because he was first loved by God. Hence, it is necessary to communicate a dimension of faith to this humanism, to this philanthropy," he explained.
At present, especially in Western countries, there is a "temptation of secularism" in Catholic charitable organizations, a "tendency to be separate from the ecclesial mission," due to the fact that they must be very occupied in purely administrative aspects, explained the cardinal.
"This new orientation that tends to functionality, to social effects, does not imply necessarily an interest in the faith," he added.
The cardinal said "Deus Caritas Est" is very important, because it "underlines that the mission of the Church has two faces: to proclaim the Word of God and to do good, namely, to know that God loves his people."
In regard to the present economic crisis, Cardinal Cordes said that, although for now there has not been an increase of requests for aid in his dicastery, it is affecting the lack of liquidity.
In addition to the aid sent recently to assist the victims of the war in Congo, the cardinal mentioned the aid offered by his dicastery to those affected in the latest natural disasters, such as Pakistan's earthquake, the hurricanes that struck Cuba and Haiti, and the victims of the earthquake that recently shook China.
"This last case was a novelty,"' he said. "Despite the fact that continental China's relations with the Church aren't very easy, the Pope's aid was well received."
Permalink: http://www.zenit.org/article-24327?l=english
BISHOPS URGED TO BE LEADERS IN CHARITY
Cardinal Says It's a Responsibility of Evangelization
VATICAN CITY, NOV. 21, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Bishops must be careful not to delegate too much charity work to others, as it's necessary that they take an active leadership role themselves, says the president of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum.
Cardinal Paul Josef Cordes, president of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, said this Thursday on Vatican Radio, after having returned from a trip to the United States. The cardinal participated in the U.S. bishops' fall meeting in Baltimore, Maryland, and met with directors of Catholic Charities and Catholic Relief Services.
Upon his return to Rome, the cardinal repeated his message to the U.S. bishops. He warned against a double risk: "on one hand, that bishops have the feeling that charitable works 'walk alone,' and on the other, that the organizations that carry them out are separate to the mission of the Church."
"It is necessary that bishops recover their responsibility in regard to evangelization, of which charitable action is a part," he explained.
Cor Unum's president reminded his listeners that the encyclical "Deus Caritas Est" underlines "the responsibility of the bishop himself so that charity is a clearly ecclesial work. He cannot delegate completely to others: He must allow himself to be helped, always remembering that he is the decisive person in charitable work."
No accident
For Cardinal Cordes, "there is in the world today great sensitivity to the commandment to love one's neighbor," hence, "it's no accident that the Pope chose this argument for his first encyclical."
"With it, he wished to launch a message: If one loves one's neighbor, it is because he was first loved by God. Hence, it is necessary to communicate a dimension of faith to this humanism, to this philanthropy," he explained.
At present, especially in Western countries, there is a "temptation of secularism" in Catholic charitable organizations, a "tendency to be separate from the ecclesial mission," due to the fact that they must be very occupied in purely administrative aspects, explained the cardinal.
"This new orientation that tends to functionality, to social effects, does not imply necessarily an interest in the faith," he added.
The cardinal said "Deus Caritas Est" is very important, because it "underlines that the mission of the Church has two faces: to proclaim the Word of God and to do good, namely, to know that God loves his people."
In regard to the present economic crisis, Cardinal Cordes said that, although for now there has not been an increase of requests for aid in his dicastery, it is affecting the lack of liquidity.
In addition to the aid sent recently to assist the victims of the war in Congo, the cardinal mentioned the aid offered by his dicastery to those affected in the latest natural disasters, such as Pakistan's earthquake, the hurricanes that struck Cuba and Haiti, and the victims of the earthquake that recently shook China.
"This last case was a novelty,"' he said. "Despite the fact that continental China's relations with the Church aren't very easy, the Pope's aid was well received."
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