2014 ordinary time ccusa reflections

8/13/2019 2014 Ordinary Time CCUSA Reflections

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ORDINARY TIME 2014 REFLECTIONS

Anniversary of the Death of Servant of o! Dorothy Day

Nove"#er 2$% 2014

Like many of us, I take great inspiration from the lives of saints. This is particularly the case with

modern day saints. Im inspired by people like Katherine Dreel, !ohn "aul II, !ohn ##III and

$ianna %eretta &olla. These were seemingly ordinary people who accomplished etraordinary

things by humbly accepting the graces presented to them and truly loving those around them.

'hile the cause for her canoni(ation is )ust beginning, Dorothy Day is one of those seemingly

ordinary people whose life continues to teach us what love of neighbor really means.

In the *ovember +- Catholic Worker, the newspaper that career )ournalist Day founded to

ramp up her ministry of social outreach, activism, and hospitality, she /uoted the +thcentury

0ussian writer 1yodor Dostoevsky, 2Love in practice is a harsh and dreadful thing compared to

love in dreams.3 Isn4t this true of the work we do with folks we meet in our service each day5

'e know that !esus instructed us to serve those in need. %ut do they have to be late for so many

appointments5 Do they have to cop an attitude when I4m doing my interview5 Do they really

think I didn4t see them try to take an etra loaf of day old bread5

Caritasdoesn4t meant feeling sorry for someone. That4s pity. Caritasis the kind of selfless love

of neighbor that Dorothy Day lived constantly, even during times of disappointment and despair.

6he repeatedly turned the other cheek when faced with aggression or political opposition. 7er

voluntary poverty and )ourney to live the 6ermon on the &ount reminds me to treat everyone,including those who don4t live up to my standards of punctuality and decorum, as if they were

the Lord. 8s she wrote in her +9: autobiography The Long Loneliness, 2'e cannot love $od

unless we love each other, and to love we must know each other. 'e know 7im in the breaking

of the bread and we know each other in the breaking of the bread, and we are not alone

anymore.3


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"ope 1rancis preached at the 0ite of ;anoni(ationof si new saints on *ovember :


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So+e"nity of O.r Lor! /es.s Christ% in( of the niverse

Nove"#er 2% 2014

E3e'ie+ 4 11512% 1651&7 I Corinthians 16 20528% 297 Matthe: 26 1548

Fne GliturgicalH year ago, the first reading on the 1irst 6unday of 8dvent, December +, :=+, the

tet from Isaiah :J< proclaimed a message of peaceJ

They shall beat their swords into plowsharesand their spears into pruning hooks;

one nation shall not raise

the sword against another,nor shall they train for war again.

Today we find ourselves near close of *ovember and at the end of the liturgical year with a$ospel from the end of chapter :9 in &atthew. 8nd theres a whole lot of end times )udging

going on.

7ow did we do during this year5 'ith hearts and actions have we fashioned plowshares and

pruning hooks or are we holding tight to our swords and spears5 &aybe we went part of the way

and fashioned a pruning hook but used it for something other than peace. In the unrelenting love

and compassion of $od there is still opportunity to fashion our hearts too, and finish the )ob, butnow is the time to act.

8ll of us involved in the movement of ;atholic ;harities across the @68 share in the gospel

mission to recogni(e the >least ones3 in our midst as ;hrist, and in doing so help others come tothe same recognition. 'e must be careful that our familiarity with this tet does not keep us from

fully fashioning with hearts and hands the peace of the righteousness described by &atthew.

'e are entering a season when &atthew :9 sound bites and video clips will abound. 7elping the

>least ones3 during the holidays is a good thing. 7olidays and 7oly Days helping us care yearround is better. This universal call of the ;hrist who reigns is what we celebrate this holy day.

'e are not called to act out of fear of the )udge, but to act as the shepherd does in love.

8s we consider our own end of the year assessment, let us cast aside those practices, habits andattitudes that cloud our vision to recogni(e ;hrist and make room to more deeply embrace the

prophetic peace of Isaiah. It is peace that will not )ust last the year, but the lifetime of eternity.The year may be drawing to a close, but it is not that last word. That belongs to $od who renewsus into the coming of a new year.

+. 'hat can you take from this past year to help form resolutions of peace for the comingyear5

:. 8s we finish this liturgical year, try to empty yourself and read &atthew :9 as though

you are seeing it for the first time.
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/112314.cfmhttp://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/112314.cfm


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&ichael ". $riffin

&embers of the ;atholic ;harities @68 "arish 6ocial &inistry 6ectionB Director of 1aith1ormation, "a ;hristi ;atholic ;ommunity GEden "rairie, &inn.H

Nove"#er 1% 2014Me"oria+ of Fran-es ;avier Ca#rini%


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beginning. 1or eample, they were unable to pursue formal education but immediately entered

the work force. They suffered the discrimination eperienced by Italian immigrants. &y

grandparents were blessed with +: children. Two died when they were infants but the others

lived and became wonderful parents and good citi(ens of the @nited 6tates. I remember 6undays

at their houseB our etended family numbered :=M grandchildren and := adults. 1ood, good

wine, laughter and great conversations took place. Love was in abundance and we all looked out

for each other.

I was educated by the &issionary 6isters of the 6acred 7eart of !esus in grammar school. These

daughters of &other 1rances #avier ;abrini helped all our families who lived in a very Italian

neighborhood in %rooklyn, *ew ork. I was moved by their compassion and love for those

living in poverty and I desired to be part of the wonderful work they did.

I always had a love for new immigrants as I remembered where I came from and what I needed

to do for new comers in a strange land. It was a gift sent from heaven when I was asked by my

religious community in + to begin a mission on the lower east side of &anhattan among the

immigrants, ;abrini Immigrant 6ervices. &y heart leapt with )oy and I enthusiastically

embraced the work that $od asked of us among the ;hinese and Latino immigrants. These ten

years of ministry were some of the happiest years of my life.

The story of 6t. 1rances #avier ;abrini, our congregation, and my family run parallel to ;atholic

;harities outreach to immigrants and refugees. &other ;abrini, patroness of immigrants, smiles

from heaven upon each and every client, staff, volunteer, and donor who contributes to the

betterment of life for immigrants and refugees in the @nited 6tates.

6r. "ietrina 0accuglia, &.6.;.

"rovincial, 6tella &aria "rovince, &issionary 6isters of the 6acred 7eart, *ew ork

GEditors noteJ "lease )oin the @nited 6tates ;onference of ;atholic %ishops !ustice for Immigrants national callCin

day by contacting the 'hite 7ouse to!ay% Nove"#er 1, on behalf of immigrant rights in the @nited 6tates. Dial 15

966569$568$9 and re/uest that the >nite! States *rote-ts as "any i""i(rants an! their fa"i+ies as *ossi#+e

fro" !e*ortation.3 ;lickhereto learn how the ;atholic ;harities agencies supported immigrants and refugees in:=+.H

Nove"#er 2014

Nationa+ ,+a-' Catho+i- =istory Month

O.rs to Re"e"#er an! Share

;ultures designate specific times to honor events and peoples significant to their history.

6cripture proclaims that even within the first week of creation it was important to honor $od on

the seventh day. 7umanity moves within the parameters of time from weeks to months to

seasons, each bearing its own significance. 6imilarly, the liturgical calendar carries the faithful
http://www.scribd.com/doc/239476065/2013-Annual-Survey-Immigration-and-Refugee-Serviceshttp://www.scribd.com/doc/239476065/2013-Annual-Survey-Immigration-and-Refugee-Serviceshttp://www.scribd.com/doc/239476065/2013-Annual-Survey-Immigration-and-Refugee-Services


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from 8dvent to ;hristmas to Frdinary Time to Lent to Easter to "entecost to Frdinary Time and

the cycle perpetually repeats throughout the universal ;hurch. Each time gives voice to the

challenges that mark a historical and transformative )ourney of faith. In the process, two

significant occurrences develop. The history becomes ours, and we become the guardians of the

legacy.

*ational %lack ;atholic 7istory &onth G*%;7&H reflects the rising of a consciousness to

remember and share the history of a people striving to rise above struggle to proclaim their

inherent dignity and the dignity of humanity. %lack ;atholics are a diverse people reflecting a

range of eperiences, hues, lifestyles, opinions and perspectives. 'e are saints and we are

sinners. 'e are cradle ;atholics and we are converts. 'e are clergy and we are laity. 'e are

&artha and we are &ary. 'e are Naccheus and Nacharias.

ou distinctly hear the beauty and compleity of our history in the instrumental version of &ary

Lou 'illiams Credo, the very movements that are woven by the 6pirit throughout the history of

our ;hurch and our nation. ;enturies before the establishment of the Aatican, and theconstruction of the concept of >race3 as we know it, our 8frican ancestors followed >the way3 of

;hrist. Knowing upon whose shoulders we stand, we are a proud people. Knowing in whose

name we are bapti(ed, we are a faithful people.

'inston ;hurchill declared, >7istory is written by the victors.3 'hile there may be some truth in

his words, the claim is not absolute. 7istory is written by the survivors courageous enough to

speak their truth with the often unspoken hope of dialogue, reconciliation and peace. 1rom them

we learn of enduring unimaginable indignities and ineffable hardships with a staunch belief in

the mercy of $od who cannot be confined by time and space.

7istory shows the will of $od unfolding in the fullness of time. The process is not linear, but

cyclical. Descendants of a once kidnapped and enslaved people relate to the story of the Eodus

in a uni/uely personal manner. 0emembering those who died in the &iddle "assageB those, like

;hrist, who were hung on treesB and those whose humanity was denied is part of the inheritance.

Dwelling in the "romised Land is the timeless hope as the role of faithful citi(enship is

embraced.

Today, %lack ;atholic 7istory is being written through our faithfulness and our failings.

*%;7& is a time for us ? for all of us C to collectively remember and share the contributions

and struggles of %lack ;atholics. It is also a time for the ;atholic ;hurch in the @nited 6tates ?clergy and laity ? and people of goodwill to stand in solidarity with us as we seek to follow Fur

Lord towards dialogue, reconciliation, and peace.

"ope 1rancis words to "alestinian and Israeli leaders on &ay :The path of dialogue, reconciliation and peace


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must constantly be taken up anew, courageously and tirelessly. There is simply no other way.3

&ay it be so.

Leslye ;olvin

;;@68 "arish 6ocial &inistry 6ectionB "rogram 6pecialist, !ustice and "eace &inistries,

8rchdiocese of 8tlanta

GEditors noteJ 1or more information about &ary Lou 'illiams O++=C++P, a most prolific

%lack ;atholic pianist, song writer, and educator, see ser biography on the "%6 'ebsite, the

&ary Lou 'illiams ;enter for %lack ;ultureat Duke @niversity, &ary Lou 'illiamsJ 6oul on6oul, and her entryon biography.com.H

Nove"#er 1% 2014

A++ Saints% So+e"nity

Reve+ation & 254% $5147 I /ohn 157 Matthe: 6 1512a

Fne year ago, I was on a retreat with several others from our "a ;hristi group and the retreat

leader invited us to share something of our preferred style of prayer. I noted that a regular

reading and reflection on the life of a holy person had become part of my spiritual routine.Though I have had an attraction to scripture, the liturgical life, and the history of the ;hurch

since childhood, I must say that a deeper appreciation for the saints is something newer in my

spiritual )ourney.

;hristians, !ews, and &oslems are monotheistsB we believe, worship, and honor a single $od.

%ut why do so many of us acknowledge our personal patron saint, or the patron of our school,church, religious community, or profession5 Is this not elevating a human being too close to the

single divine being that we are called to honor, love, and adore5

1rom the collect for &ass for 8ll 6aints DayJ

Almighty everliving !od, by whose gifts we venerate in one celebration the merits

of all the "aints, bestow on us, we pray, through the prayers of so many intercessors,#emphasis added$ an abundance of the reconciliation with you for which we earnestly

long. Through our Lord %esus your Christ, your "on, who lives and reigns with you in

the unity of the &oly "pirit, one !od, for ever and ever.

Two factors )ump out at me as we remember our saints. 1irst, our saints en)oy eternal life with

$od. They are a step closer to $od than we are. They can go to bat for us when we ask for their

intercessionQ 6econd, we are human, $od is divine. 8s much as $od loves and seeks to be inrelationship with us, we might feel difficulties relating to 7im because the only eperience that

humans know is h."an e>*erien-e? 6o, knowing that there were men and women who put their

pants or dresses on one leg at a time, and sinned as much as we do, is reassuring that we too canen)oy eternal life.
mailto:[email protected]://www.pbs.org/jazz/biography/artist_id_williams_mary_lou.htmhttp://studentaffairs.duke.edu/mlwhttp://newarkwww.rutgers.edu/ijs/mlw/intro2.htmlhttp://newarkwww.rutgers.edu/ijs/mlw/intro2.htmlhttp://www.biography.com/people/mary-lou-williams-9532632#synopsishttp://www.biography.com/people/mary-lou-williams-9532632#synopsishttp://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/110114.cfmmailto:[email protected]://www.pbs.org/jazz/biography/artist_id_williams_mary_lou.htmhttp://studentaffairs.duke.edu/mlwhttp://newarkwww.rutgers.edu/ijs/mlw/intro2.htmlhttp://newarkwww.rutgers.edu/ijs/mlw/intro2.htmlhttp://www.biography.com/people/mary-lou-williams-9532632#synopsishttp://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/110114.cfm


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Todays $ospel offers some characteristics of one who is >blessed.3 I offer a contemporary

translation of part of the $ospel that can guide us toward sainthoodJ

'ou(re blessed when you care. At the moment of being )careful,* you find

yourselves cared for.

'ou(re blessed when you get inside your world+your mind and heart put right.Then you can see !od in the outside world.

'ou(re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or

fight. That(s when you discover who you really are, and your place in !od(s family.

G1rom The essage- Catholic/cumenical /dition. @sed with permission of *av"ress "ublishing $roup.H

%r. 6teve 7erro, F. "raem.

&anager of &ission 0esources and Data, ;atholic ;harities @68

O-to#er 4% 2014

Me"oria+ of St? Fran-is of Assisi

To be 1ranciscan today is to be engaged in a lifelong process of discovering the meaning of

1rancis of 8ssisis presence and transforming spirit in our world and church. "eople of all faiths,

cultures and ages are attracted to him. Fur present pope has chosen his name and has affirmed

his vision of mission. In the words of Leonardo %off, a %ra(ilian theologian, >'henever the

saints, in their following of ;hrist, plumb the depths of human eistence, there appears the

perennial truth of the $ospelB that saints are neither ancient nor modernB they are simply true,

always true carriers of that truth that captures the crucial /uestions of eistence in every age.

Today I ask myself what crucial /uestions does 1rancis of 8ssisi capture in our age. In looking

at our time through the lens of both "ope 1rancis and ;atholic ;harities, there is no doubt that

people who are poor have a priority claim on our hearts and our service. "ope 1rancis reminds

us that $ods heart has a special place for the poor, so much so that $od himself >became poor

G: ;orinthians JH.3 7e goes further to say that, >RThis is why I want a ;hurch which is poor

and for the poor. They have much to teach us. *ot only do they share in thesensus fidei, but in

their difficulties they know the suffering ;hristR.GThe %oy of the !ospel, S+H.3

'ealth and poverty characteri(ed urban life in 8ssisi in the +:thcentury. Those with money and

resources lived inside the walls of the city and those who were sick and hungry lived outside the

walls. 1rancis of 8ssisi, although rich in his youth, took the initiative to go outside the walls to

respond to the needs of those in poverty. 7e encouraged his followers to become a part of the

lives of those who were most vulnerable. This consciousness of the challenge to attend to the

marginali(ed found its source in 1rancis eperience of ongoing conversion.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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In embracing a leper, 1rancis met $od. In that moment of embrace 1rancis understood the

meaning of Incarnation. 7e saw ;hrists becoming human not only as the greatest act of love,

but as a model for our encounter with $od in those living in poverty.

'hat are the /uestions 1rancis of 8ssisi captures in our time5 "erhaps the answers rest in whom

we are becoming in our encounter with those whom we serve5 Do we see what they see5 Do wesee in them the dignity they are often denied5 8re we changed in this process of encounter5

6r. 1rances ;unningham, F.6.1.

"arish 0elations ;oordinator, ;atholic ;harities, 8rchdiocese of &ilwaukee

6ources for further reflection

%off, Leonardo. "aint 0rancis- A odel for &uman Liberation. *ew orkJ ;rossroad, +:.

"ope 1rancis. /vangelii !audium the %oy of the !ospel, :=+The 0eal 1rancisJ 7ow one saints ancient insights are transforming todays church,3America, 6eptember

::, :=+


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which coordinated services in the area. Does this sound familiar to your local Catholic Charities

agencies5 It is not a coincidencethe works of charity are the embodiment of the $ospel, and all

of us, you, me and Aincent, are living out the same call.

ou, like the recipient of Aincents letter, may often feel the pain of not having sufficient

resources to accomplish all that you see is desperately needed in our world today.

%ut you, like him, are called to calm fidelity to your duties through the prayer, collaboration,

integrity, courage, creativity, and good humor modeled so well by Aincent.

Like him, you may recogni(e your own poverty.

Like him, you will not know the growth that will come from the seeds you plant and nourish.

Like him, you are called to use your gifts to do the little you can to the best of your ability.

Like him, you are called to be faithfulto know that you are among the few who have beencalledB and to be calmknowing that you are in partnership with $od.

6r. &ary Louise 6tubbs, D.;.Eecutive Director, Daughters of ;harity International "ro)ect 6ervices

GEditors noteJ %esides her direct service to ministries of her own religious order, 6r. 6tubbs has committed many years ofservice to a number of ;atholic ;harities agencies. 'e are privileged to receive her reflection on the feast day of her orders coC

founder and patron saint of social service workers.H

Se*te"#er 26% 2014

Anniversary of the Fo.n!in( of the Catho+i- Charities Net:or'

6everal weeks ago, I met 8lice &cKeon, who is researching the life of &sgr. !ohn F$rady.

&sgr. F$rady headed what is now our ;atholic ;harities network from +:=C++, the longest

administrator in our networks +=< year history. It was no small wonder that 8lice and I met a

few hundred yards from where our network was born, on the campus of The ;atholic @niversity

of 8merica. 8lice is the biographerB I am a humble former life archivist and college history

ma)or. Fur discussion reminded me of a few trademarks of the foundation of our network.

+. The network is rooted in our ;atholic identity. 'hen &sgr. 'illiam Kirby invited

hundreds of ;atholic social service providers to The ;atholic @niversity of 8merica forthe ++= convening, he did it under the auspices of the nations national ;atholic

university. Invitees were ;atholic social service professionals from mens and womens

;atholic religious orders and ;atholic dioceses. Fur network has been solidly ;atholic

since its envisioning.:. Early leaders were truly renaissance people and etremely hard workersQ ;onsider the

life of &sgr. F$rady, for eample. 7e was not only a long time Eecutive 6ecretary of
https://webmail.catholiccharitiesusa.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=24c6cff915fb422ba63bbc1cf381566e&URL=mailto%[email protected]://webmail.catholiccharitiesusa.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=24c6cff915fb422ba63bbc1cf381566e&URL=mailto%[email protected]


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our network, but served as a professor, academic dean, published author, administrator

for the @.6. %ishops conference, and chaplain >on the side.3 Fur network leaders stand

on the shoulders of tireless servants for $ods kingdom.3. 'hat was to be gained by do(ens of ;atholic social service providers maintaining their

autonomy while )oining a national network5 Establishment of professional standards for

social work accreditation and /uality formation and training were important selling points

in ++= and remain priorities for ;atholic ;harities today.

The anniversary of the foundation of our network is an appropriate time to thank $od for the

efforts of our founders and donors who have supported us for +=< years. 1urthermore, as we

celebrate our last anniversary celebration under the leadership of 1r. Larry 6nyder, may we pause

a moment to thank $od for 1r. Larrys ministry to our ;atholic ;harities network for twenty

plus years and pray for the inspiration of the search committee that will select our net "resident.

%r. 6teve 7erro, F. "raem.&anager of &ission 0esources and Data

Se*te"#er 6% 2014

Anniversary of the Death of ,+esse! Mother Teresa of Ca+-.tta

Today is the anniversary of &other Teresas death. 'hat I remember most vividly of the

circumstances of her +- passing is the events eclipse by the media fren(y surrounding the

8ugust + death and 6eptember funeral of Lady Diana. It seemed as though &other Teresa

was >lost in the shuffle.3 I later reali(ed that this was )ust the way &other would have wanted

it.

8fter I moved to &emphis, I was able to observe the work of &other Teresa from a different

perspective. 7er order of nuns runs a shelter for homeless women and children. &y first

encounter was when a lady in our prayer group wanted to purchase ceiling fans for the nuns. This

idea was /uickly re)ected because the nuns do not accept materials which can make them more

comfortable than those they serve. Then a hardened, cynical social minister who had worked in

the crime ridden neighborhood of the shelter said to me, >Day and night, those women Gthe nunsH

walk two by two with their rosaries and %ibles in neighborhoods where tough men would not go

in daylight with shotguns.3 6omething that I would add to these anecdotes is that the nuns also

chose to operate under the radar without seeking attention or publicity.

'hat does this have to do with those of us in the ;;@68 network5 I see the anniversary of

&other Teresas death as a good time to reflect on her simple message to the world. 6ometimes

our day to day life gets caught up in funding, outcomes, metrics, systems Gname your own hereH.

Fr we think that we have to find )ust the right way to word something that is accurate, to the

point, or supported by the correct data or theology. 8ll of these things are important and should


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not be neglected. 'hat I would suggest, though, is to use the anniversary of &other Teresas

death to ponder her view of her role with those who are poor. ;oming face to face with those

who are poor every day in my ;atholic ;harities parking lot, I contend that our clients would

agree with &other Teresas modus of operationJ when you are hungry or sick, you do not care

about anything but being immediately fed or cared for.

I bet that I am not the only one challenged by wanting to implement &other Teresas style and

preference of and for urgent care 8*D the promotion of structural change to eliminate poverty.

Therese $ustaitis

Director of "arish 6ocial &inistry, ;atholic ;harities of 'est Tennessee

La#or Day

Se*te"#er 1% 2014

I Corinthians 2 156% L.'e 4 1850

In a letter to "ope Leo #III in + defending the rights of working families and various labororgani(ations, 8rchbishop of %altimore !ames ;ardinal $ibbons wrote, >G8sH the one body in the

world which had been the protector off the poor and the weak for nearly +== years, GweH could

not possibly desert these same classes in their hour of need.3

Today, as we celebrate Labor Day, these words remind us that the ;hurch continues toaccompany those who struggle to make ends meet, especially families trying to balance their

lives and find meaningful work and opportunities. "ersons like !anette *avarro, a single mom,

come to mind. 7er story resembles that of many other families we see daily in our ;atholic;harities agencieswho struggle to obtain economic security while balancing their work and

family life.

"ope 1rancis continues to epress the ;hurchs desire to be in solidarityG>6olidarity highlights

in a particular way the intrinsic social nature of the human person, the e/uality of all in dignityand rights and the common path of individuals and peoples towards an ever more committed

unity,* Compendium of the "ocial 3octrine of the Church, S+:Hwith those who struggle to

balance work and family obligations. ;hurch representatives from around the world will bereflecting on such realities of families during the Fctober 9C+, :=+< Etraordinary 6ynod on

the 1amily in 0ome. Those gathered in 0ome will have time to reflect on this important

statement found in the6nstrumentum Laboris G>preparatory document3HJ

8ll responses, treating the impact of work on the wellCbeing of the family, makereference to the difficulty of coordinating the communal aspects of family living with the

ecessive demands of work, which re/uire of the family a greater fleibility. . . 6ome

parts of the world are showing signs of the price being paid by the family as a result of

economic growth and development, not to mention the much broader effects produced bythe economic crisis and the instability of the labor market. Increasing )ob insecurity,

together with the growth of unemployment and the conse/uent need to travel greater

distances to work, have taken their toll on family life, resulting in, among other things, a
mailto:[email protected]://webmail.catholiccharitiesusa.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=1892768f25df45c497d0ee718ae1e2d1&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fsalsa3.salsalabs.com%2Fdia%2Ftrack.jsp%3Fv%3D2%26c%3D9%252FZEq%252FgIdELyHd3N%252FpcNDtOLtLCUb3xthttps://webmail.catholiccharitiesusa.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=1892768f25df45c497d0ee718ae1e2d1&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fsalsa3.salsalabs.com%2Fdia%2Ftrack.jsp%3Fv%3D2%26c%3DbSZaL1O31CF1MCfEWtMfn9OLtLCUb3xthttps://webmail.catholiccharitiesusa.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=1892768f25df45c497d0ee718ae1e2d1&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fsalsa3.salsalabs.com%2Fdia%2Ftrack.jsp%3Fv%3D2%26c%3DW3jObZbZ4k1JBt1j12o%252FllZ9ClLe3VUWhttps://webmail.catholiccharitiesusa.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=1892768f25df45c497d0ee718ae1e2d1&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fsalsa3.salsalabs.com%2Fdia%2Ftrack.jsp%3Fv%3D2%26c%3DnWdJ%252Beu%252BRHQ9upTo5ezq59OLtLCUb3xtmailto:[email protected]://webmail.catholiccharitiesusa.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=1892768f25df45c497d0ee718ae1e2d1&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fsalsa3.salsalabs.com%2Fdia%2Ftrack.jsp%3Fv%3D2%26c%3D9%252FZEq%252FgIdELyHd3N%252FpcNDtOLtLCUb3xthttps://webmail.catholiccharitiesusa.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=1892768f25df45c497d0ee718ae1e2d1&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fsalsa3.salsalabs.com%2Fdia%2Ftrack.jsp%3Fv%3D2%26c%3DbSZaL1O31CF1MCfEWtMfn9OLtLCUb3xthttps://webmail.catholiccharitiesusa.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=1892768f25df45c497d0ee718ae1e2d1&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fsalsa3.salsalabs.com%2Fdia%2Ftrack.jsp%3Fv%3D2%26c%3DW3jObZbZ4k1JBt1j12o%252FllZ9ClLe3VUWhttps://webmail.catholiccharitiesusa.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=1892768f25df45c497d0ee718ae1e2d1&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fsalsa3.salsalabs.com%2Fdia%2Ftrack.jsp%3Fv%3D2%26c%3DnWdJ%252Beu%252BRHQ9upTo5ezq59OLtLCUb3xt


13/30

weakening of family relationships and the gradual isolation of persons, causing even

greater aniety. GThe 5astoral Challenges of the 0amily in the Conte7t of /vangeli8ation-

Instrumentum Laboris, S-=H

In this light, 8rchbishop of &iami Thomas 'enski, ;hairman of the @6;;% ;ommittee on

Domestic !ustice and 7uman Development, released the annual Labor Day 6tatement. Itreflects on the current struggles of youth and young adult unemployment and underemployment

in the @.6. and around the world. 7e writesJ

$reater numbers of debtCstrapped college graduates move back in with their parents,

while high school graduates and others may have less debt but very few decent )ob

opportunities. "ope 1rancis has reserved some of his strongest language for speakingabout young adult unemployment, calling it >evil,3 an >atrocity,3 and emblematic of the

>throwaway culture.3

The 8rchbishop continues to remind us that families and individuals cannot always do it alone.

The ;hurch and other institutions, and positive social policies, are still needed. 7e reflectsJ

8t their best, labor unions and institutions like them embody solidarity and subsidiaritywhile advancing the common good. They help workers Unot only have more, but above

all be more... OandP reali(e their humanity more fully in every respect GLaborem

/7ercens, *o. :=H. es, unions and worker associations are imperfect, as are all humaninstitutions. %ut the right of workers to freely associate is supported by ;hurch teaching

in order to protect workers and move themCCespecially younger ones, through mentoring

and apprenticeshipsCCinto decent )obs with )ust wagesR.

6upporting policies and institutions that create decent )obs, pay )ust wages, and support

family formation and stability will also honor the dignity of workers. 0aising theminimum wage, more and better workforce training programs, and smarter regulations

that minimi(e negative unintended conse/uences would be good places to start.

In todays $ospel, !esus reminds us about 7is calling and mission. !esus proclaims GLuke


14/30

A.(.st 16% 2014

The Ass."*tion of the ,+esse! to bring glad tidings to the poor3 and >to proclaim liberty to

captives3 GLuke


15/30

8s disciples of ;hrist who venerate &ary and share her vision, let us allow ourselves to be

formed by her words. &ay we be conscious of how we will continue this divine mission in a

world that is desperately in need of the >$ood *ews.3

!ohn $on(ale(

"arish 6ocial &inistry Developer, ;atholic ;harities of the Diocese of 0ockville ;entre

A.(.st &% 2014

29&thAnniversary of the rs.+ine Sisters Mission in Ne: Or+eans

&ave you ever been asked to leave your comfort 8one and begin a new ministry or position in a

foreign land9 'e sometimes use the epression >8braham move,3 named after the !ewish

patriarch who left his home in 7aran, despite his advanced years, to found a new nation in theland of ;anaan G$enesis H.

&y 'isconsin based religious community, 6t. *orbert 8bbey, has begun two new foundations

since +9, to serve the 7ispanic community in the 8rchdiocese of 6anta 1e G+9H and to servethe 8frican 8merican community in the Diocese of !ackson, &ississippi G+=H. Each outreach

began with all of our priests and brothers discussing whether we were able to >take on3 theseadditional ministries and included months of research, spiritual discernment, and site visits by

one of our members to several dioceses in the southwest and southeast.

*early == years ago, @rsuline 6isters in 1rance, with a lot fewer financial and personnel

resources and limited +thcentury transportation and communication tools, two priests, and one

religious brother boarded the !irondefor a five month voyage across the 8tlantic to begin a new

mission in *ew Frleans. Their arrival on 8ugust -, +-:-, is recogni(ed by both ;atholic;harities and the ;atholic 7ealth 8ssociation as the first organi(ed effort by the ;atholic ;hurch

to establish human and health services in the present day @nited 6tates of 8merica. Their +th

century efforts include the oldest continuously operating school for women and the oldest;atholic school in the @nited 6tates Gindependent of the students race, religion, ethnicity, or

economic statusH and the first childrens orphanage and refuge for battered women.

The @rsuline ;ore Aalues and Ideals that inspired @rsuline &other &arie 6t. 8ugustin

Tranchepain and her supporters in +-:- continue to guide these gallant woman todayJ spiritual

formation and faith developmentB respect for the uni/ueness of the individualB development of

the whole personB development of a nurturing community spiritB commitment to peacemakingBserviam, :>I will serve3H as a lived realityB academic ecellenceB and the ideals of courtesy,

loyalty and courage.

The ;atholic ;harities network and the ;atholic 7ealth 8ssociation celebrated their )oint lineage

to the @rsuline 6isters of *ew Frleans in ;hicago in :==:. @rsuline 6r. ;arla Dolce reminded

those gathered in :==: and reminds us today, >R'e could be pioneering because we lived thetradition of the @rsulines. 8ngela O6r. 8ngela &erici, +


16/30

operational impediments deter you from your ultimate mission. ou are on the edge of a new

world none of us can imagine. 'e are ecited to be even a small part of that future.3


&anager of &ission and &inistry, ;atholic ;harities @68

6ources

7arris, &ary Lee %erner. Email to the author >@rsuline Aision, &ission, ;ore Aalues and Ideals.3 + 8ugust :=+8nniversary of the 8ug. -, +-:- landing of the @rsuline 6isters in *ew Frleans. Fnline posting. -8ugust :=+:.

>@rsulines 7onored at ;losing ;eremonies.3 Charities "AThird Vuarter :==:J :.

July 4, 2014Independence Day

For me, July 4thwill always be associated with something that happened in 1968. Asa !e year old, " remember going with my dad on a hot day in June to a train station

in #hiladelphia, where a large crowd o$ people stood silently on the plat$orm. " as%ed

my dad i$ we were going to get on the train with all these people, and he said no,

we were waiting $or a train to pass. "t was carrying the body o$ a good man who

had been shot and %illed. " remember as%ing him, &"$ he were a good man, why did

somebody shoot him'( )ad e*plained that sometimes when good people try to do

the right thing, they put themsel!es in danger o$ being hurt by other people who

don+t li%e them $or what they are doing. hat day, " saw the $uneral train o$ -obby

ennedy go by, with the car carrying his body all draped in red, white and blue.

/ome cried0 others prayed. " wondered what this man was trying to do that madesomeone %ill him. Just a month later, as we celebrated "ndependence )ay on July 4,

something in me $ore!er connected the American ags wa!ing in the $ront yards

around the neighborhood with that bunting on ennedy+s train0 somehow "

understood that what we were celebrating was so important that sometimes people

would die $or it.

2uch later " would learn that obert F. ennedy had promised to end the ietnam

5ar i$ elected #resident, that he once said &..." belie!e that, as long as there is

plenty, po!erty is e!il Athens, 7eorgia, 2ay 6, 1961.( e was so troubled by the

ab:ect po!erty that he saw in places as di;erent as arlem and rural 2ississippi that

he pro$essed his !ision o$ an America where such things cannot continue in the $aceo$ our indi;erence, &"t is not gi!en to us to right e!ery wrong, to ma%e per$ect all

the imper$ections o$ the world. -ut neither is it gi!en to us to sit content in our

storehouses, dieting while others star!e, buying 8 million new cars a year while

most o$ the world goes without shoes. 5e are simply not doing enough


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America celebrates today as our national birthday, the ad!ent o$ a new day o$

$reedom, e>uality, and opportunity $or all people. oday we would do well to reect

on the meaning o$ those words we all learned as children, &" pledge allegiance to

the ag o$ the


18/30

For the celebration o$ Pucharist literally, &than%sgi!ing( today, the Hhurch o;ers

the option o$ readings $or a ritual 2ass $or our country, $or those who ser!e in public

oQce, and $or peace and :ustice. Among those choices is this e*cerpt $rom the

prophet "saiah, &...he wor% o$ :ustice will be peace0 the e;ect o$ :ustice, calm and

security $ore!er. 2y people will li!e in peace$ul country, in secure dwellings and

>uiet resting places "saiah 3=E 1C18.( he message is clear, echoing #ope #aul "+s$amous words, &"$ you want peace, wor% $or :ustice,( 2essage $or the 5orld )ay o$

#eace, Jan. 1, 19N=. /o as we gi!e than%s today C both in our prayers and our $esti!e

celebrations with $riends and $amily ? may our appreciation $or the blessings o$

li!ing in the The Vuestion "osed by !esus3

The $ood 6hepherd, !esus, reaches for us by any means possible. In the cases of 6s. "eter and

"aul, he reaches with a /uestion. $od asks /uestions throughout 6criptureB to 8dam, after the1all, 7e asks, >'here are you G$enesis J H53 To "eter, after the 0esurrection, 7e asks, >Doyou love me G!ohn :+J +9H53 To "aul, after "entecost, 7e asks, >'hy do you persecute &e G8cts

of the 8postles J


19/30

This response is not really to satisfy !esus, for 7e already knows the answer. This response is for

us. 'hen we respond in truth with, >Lord, ou know everything, you know that I love ou,3 we

can then love ourselves, as the greatest commandment tells us. 'hen we acknowledge $ods allCknowing love for us and accept it, we are then able to truly love ourselves. 'hen we truly love

ourselves, we may truly love others. 'hen we truly love others, ourselves, and $od, we fulfill

the commandment.

This response means not only acknowledging our inmost thoughts to $od, but also incarnating

that love to another. %oth 6t.s "eter and "aul did this in specific ways. "eter, the 0ock,symboli(es the cornerstone of the post ;hristian community, as he was called by ;hrist to lead

his followers. "eter, who denied all connection to the Lord three times during !esus passion,

repented, wept, and was forgiven. 'hen 6t. "eter acknowledged 7is love to !esus triplicate

/uestion, he was then able to incarnate that love by looking into the eyes of a crippled manoutside the Temple andgivinghim what he hadthe *ame of !esus G8cts of the 8postles J +C

+=H. The *ame of !esus is Love, for !esus is $od.

The response of 6t. "aul, on the other hand, was different. 6t. "auls response was one ofhumility. 7is blindness of heart and mind became blindness in body, for he denied ;hrist through

his persecution of the ;hurch, who is the %ody of ;hrist. 8fter 6t. "aul recovered from hisblindness, he went into the desert of 8rabia in order to prepare for his mission. 6t. "auls (eal for

righteousness had then been transformed into proper (eal for the Kingdom of $od. That (eal

would be (eal with othersby conferring with ;ephas G"eterH. 8fter this meeting with another, hebegan to proclaim the $ospel to others, bringing them into the very %ody of ;hrist he once

persecuted.

'hy are these responses important5 "ersonally, both my own birth name G"aulH and confirmationname G"eterH have deep meaning for me. "eter, the >0ock,3 represents the unity of the ;hurch,

the solidity of her mission, and her solidarity with the entire world proclaiming the $ood *ews.

7is response to !esus and the crippled man displays the unity of the ;hurch to throughout spaceand across time. "aul, the >6mall Fne,3 had a (ealous humility that etended to the $entiles, lit

the world aflame with true charity found in ;hrist and etended to all men and women. Like

these two saints, I seek to feed and tend the lambs and sheep of !esus by incarnating love tothem, and to proclaim this love to all whom I encounterand that is the reason I work at

;atholic ;harities 1ort 'orth.

1or ;atholic ;harities across the @nited 6tates, our mission is to reduce poverty. 'e do this beresponding to the /uestion that !esus posed 6t. "eter, >Do you love me53 Fur response is feeding

his poor lambs, tending his sheep, providing hope and )oy to all individuals who come to our

doors. 'e reduce poverty by responding with love to each person we encounter. ;atholic;harities mission is in its very name. ;atholic, for we are universal in scope, universal in reach,

and universal in the persons that we serve. ;harity, for we possess a selfCgiving, selfCsacrificing

lovethat has its origin in $od 7imself. Thus, when we are posed a /uestion by another, werespond )oyfully with, >I work for universal, selfCgiving, selfCsacrificing love.3

"aul ;rnovich

"arish 0elations "rogram &anager, ;atholic ;harities of 1t. 'orth


20/30

/.ne 2&% 2014

So+e"nity of the Most Sa-re! =eart of /es.s

De.terono"y & 85117 I /ohn 4 &5187 Matthe: 11 2650

'hen I was a little girl growing up in *ew 0ochelle, *, I attended 6t. $abriel 6chool and

;hurch. I loved going into the small old stone church, which was built by the Islins as their

personal family chapel, before it was donated to the 8rchdiocese of *ew ork as a parish church.

In the back of the church was an alcove with an altar dedicated to the 6acred 7eart of !esus. I

would fre/uently go and kneel before the altar, light a candle and ga(e upon the heart of !esus. I

was so impressed by this image and would imagine !esus all encompassing love for me and all

of us with his arms outstretched. It became my favorite symbol of !esus throughout my

childhood and into my adult life. I even purchased a statue of the 6acred 7eart when I was about

years old at the 6alesian %ookstore in town and have it still to this day.

Today we celebrate the feast of the 6acred 7eart of !esus, and all throughout todays readings we

hear about $ods love for his people. In fact, sacred 6cripture is the greatest love story ever told

written by $od for humankind.

In the 1irst 0eading, &oses tells the people >the Lord set his heart on you and chose youR

because the Lord loves you. In the 6econd 0eading from + !ohn, $od asks us to love one

another as we have been loved. $od is pure love and if we remain in love we also remain in $od

and $od in us. 7ow assuring these words are to us. 'e also read that it is >not that we have

loved $od, but that he loved us and sent his 6on as epiation for our sinsRso we must love eachother GI !ohn ;ome to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon

you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heartB and you will find rest for yourselves.

1or my yoke is easy, and my burden light G&atthew ++J :C=H.3 !esus will help us find restCCreplenishment and re)uvenation to continue his work on earthQ

Let us reflect on these readings today and relin/uish the things that weigh us down to the Fne

who loves us. Let us learn from the &aster, who was sent to us by a loving $od to show us how

to live in peace by being the love of $od to others in our world.
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/062714.cfmhttp://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/062714.cfm


21/30

I may not always succeed, but when I am weighed down, I continue to ga(e upon that image of

!esus with outstretched arms and his eposed heart, who reminds us of how much we are loved.

&ay we all find rest in !esus, and continue to be $ods love in our world.

1ran 0a)otte

Director of 8dvocacy and 6ocial ;oncerns, ;atholic ;harities of Tennessee, Inc.

So+e"nity of the Nativity of /ohn the ,a*tist

/.ne 24% 2014

Isaiah 4$ 1587 A-ts of the A*ost+es 1 225287 L.'e 1 6&588% 90

Even though !esus said, >RI tell you, among those born of women, no one is greater than !ohnByet the least in the kingdom of $od is greater than he GLuke -J :HR.3 we also know that the

*ativity of !ohn the %aptist is the only birth, other than that of !esus, recogni(ed in the 0oman

;atholic liturgical calendar as a solemnity.

8s we walk through life, each of us lives out many roles CC spouse, parent, friend, or counselor toname a few. 8nd lets not forget our role as ;hristians. $od has a special role for each of us in

his grand plan. Todays readings showcase ;hristians that starred in memorable roles, roles thatwere crafted for them before they were born.

David was )ust a boy, surely too young to play a big role in $ods plan. %ut $od knew his

heart and made him the king of his people

Eli(abeth and Nechariah were thought to be barren, surely too old to have a ma)or part in

$ods plan. %ut $od used their age to send a strong message the nothing is impossible

for $od and that their son was to be something special.

!ohn the %aptist was the last and greatest of the Fld Testament prophets. 7e was the

frontrunner, the advance publicity man for !esus. 7e was eccentric and unconventional,an unlikely herald, but $od knew the passion !ohn would bring to his role and that he

would know when it was time to decrease so !esus could take the lead. 7e performed hisrole to perfection.

'orking with $od yields rich meaningful rolesB hes the ultimate director. 7e knows the big

pictureB he knows us and )ust how to use our talents to let our light shine. 8nd in todays$ospel, we read that Eli(abeth and Nechariah departed from the norm by not naming their son

Nechariah, but rather !ohn, forecasting that their son would be different.

8s we work to reduce poverty in the @nited 6tates, >'hat more is $od asking us to do53 &aybe

its organi(ing a food coCop with local farmers. &aybe its seeking out )obs for those who needwork. &aybe its encouraging those on the margins that $od hasnt forgotten them, offeringhope as they continue working the system. Fur challenge is to listen to where $od is calling us

and take that direction.

The characters in todays readings said E6 to $ods casting call and his direction enabled thegrand plan to unfold and salvation to be brought to the world. The same rich role awaits you.

'ill you say E6 to $ods casting call5
mailto:[email protected]://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/062414-day-mass.cfmmailto:[email protected]://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/062414-day-mass.cfm


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Deacon 6cott 7aner

&ember of the ;;@68 "arish 6ocial &inistry 6ectionB ;atholic ;ommunity of 6t. "atrick CLouisville, K

/.ne 22% 2014So+e"nity of the Most =o+y ,o!y an! ,+oo! of Christ

De.terono"y 9 25% 14#518a7 I Corinthians 10 1851&7 /ohn 8 61569

"erhaps my 1irst ;ommunion is so memorable because my oldest brother !erome corrected me

after consuming the blood of ;hrist for the first time, >Dont wipe your mouth off with your shirt

sleeve.3

&y friend 7elen is a lifelong ;atholic and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and

;atholic social activist. 8fter a disagreement with a ;hurch authority, she once resolutely sharedwith me, >'ere not leaving. 'e have the Eucharist.3

Did 7elen reali(e the impact of her proclamation as a commentary on todays $ospel

G>R.'hoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. !ust as the living1ather sent me and I have life because of the 1ather, so also the one who feeds on me will have

life because of meR.O!ohn J 9C9-P3H. 7elen imparted to me the strength provided to her by

body and blood of ;hrist. It is real food that sustains her to continue to live the life of ;hrist asno other force can.

0etired 8rchdiocese of &ilwaukee shepherds 8rchbishop 0embert 'eakland and %ishop0ichard 6klba wrote >Eucharist 'ithout 'allsJ 8 Aision of the ;hurch for the ear :===.3

They wrote in part, >R'e are Eucharist in the way we love, challenge, and support one another

in living our faith in $od. 'e are Eucharist when we become ;hrists presence daily to ourfamily members, our neighbors, our coCworkersto all whom we encounter in every realm ofour livesR.become the living symbol of Eucharist without walls.3

'e are fortunate to live within the frames of our ;atholic ;harities agencies and parishes. Everyday, we are privileged to share the presence of !esus ;hrist with those seeking a national

homeland, relief from natural disasters, shelter, food, emotional or spiritual counsel, safety from

abusive relationships, and or the teaching of the life of ;hrist. 'e are the bearers of the %odyand %lood of ;hrist without walls.


&anager of &ission and &inistry, ;atholic ;harities @68

/.ne 16% 2014

So+e"nity of the Most =o+y Trinity

E>o!.s 4 4#58% 95$7 2 Corinthians 1 11517 /ohn 18519
mailto:[email protected]://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/062214.cfmhttp://www.archmil.org/ArchMil/Resources/year2000.htmlmailto:[email protected]://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/061514.cfmmailto:[email protected]://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/062214.cfmhttp://www.archmil.org/ArchMil/Resources/year2000.htmlmailto:[email protected]://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/061514.cfm


23/30

Im honored to write this reflection on the Trinity. It is truly one of the great mysteries but also

an important feast for the ;hurch. 'hen I reflect upon the Trinity, Im always struck how the

early ;hurch came to reali(e that $od is 1ather, 6on and 7oly 6pirit.

They had eperienced the 1ather through their ancestry of the Fld Testament and their belief that

their ;reator had made a covenant on &ount 6inai and made them 7is chosen people. It tookthem a while, but certainly after the 0esurrection, they recogni(ed that !esus was not )ust a

teacher or prophet, but was and is the 6on of $od. 8t the Last 6upper, !esus promised he would

send an advocate, the "araclete, who would give them words to speak and the courage to make

!esus known to any and all willing to listen. 1rom the time of "entecost, that 6pirit guided them

and all their efforts to share the presence of !esus with others. 6o they came to recogni(e the

three persons and presence of $od through their own personal eperience. The opportunity to

eperience the wonder of $ods goodness came to them through the eperience of $od as

;reator, $od as 6avior and $od as 6anctifier.

7ow do we eperience $od5 8nd, more importantly, how do our clients eperience $od throughus5 'e are $ods hands, ears, eyes and mouth in making 7is presence known, particularly to the

vulnerable and needy in our midst. Fn this great 6unday of the ;hurch year, we celebrate

relationshipsJ a $od who is Triune, a $od who loves us unconditionally, and a people of $od,

called to reach out who make sure all are included in our ministry and love. It is hard to

comprehend, but in fact, we eperience the Trinity and then share it each and every day through

the work that we do. 8ccording to the I !ohn $od is love and that he who abides in love,

abides in $od and $od in him.3

En)oy giving the gift of love, $ods presence to all you meet this week.

1or further reflectionJ

+. ;an you think of an eperience over the past few weeks when $od has clearly used you

to make 7is presence known through your ministry5

:. 8re you able to see $od, not only in those you serve, but also in your coCworkers5. If you had to describe the Trinity to those you serve, how would you share that great

mystery with them5

&onsignor !ohn En(ler

"resident;EF , ;atholic ;harities of the 8rchdiocese of 'ashington

Fe#r.ary 9% 2014

O*tiona+ Me"oria+ St? /ose*hine ,a'hita

>6t. !osephine %akhita was born in southern 6udan in +. 8s a young girl, she was kidnapped

and sold into slavery. 6old and resold in the markets of El Fbeid and Karthoum, she was treated

brutally by her captors. 6he did not remember the name she was given by her parents. %akhita,which means >fortunate one,3 was the name given to her by her kidnappers.


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>In +, she was bought by an Italian diplomat who sent her to Italy to work as a maid for the

daughter of a family friend studying with the ;anossian Daughters of ;harity. It was there that%akhita came to know about $od whom >she had eperienced in her heart without knowing3

who $od was. In +=, she was bapti(ed and received the name !osephine.

>Later, the Italian family came to take their >property3 back to 8frica. !osephine epressed her

desire to stay. 'hen the family insisted she go, she remained firm, later writingJ >I am sure the

Lord gave me strength at that moment.3 'ith the support of the superior of the ;anossian 6istersand the ;ardinal of Aenice, she won her freedom and later entered the novitiate. 1or the net 9=

years she lived a life of prayer and service as a ;anossian 6ister before her death in +6t. !osephine was canoni(ed in :===. There is a grassroots movement to designate her as thepatron saint of kidnapped and trafficked persons.3 [email protected]. ;atholic 6isters 8gainst 7uman

Trafficking, >"rayer 6ervice for an End to 7uman Trafficking3H

'hy is the life of 6t. !osephine of particular significance to our ;atholic ;harities network5 The:=+ ;atholic ;harities @68 8nnual 6urvey reported that agencies served +9 victims of

domestic trafficking and : agencies served "roviders of 6ervices to 7uman Trafficking.3

&ay we pray today for the intercession of 6t. !osephine to benefit the victims of trafficking andhuman slavery 8*D the ministry of our ;atholic ;harities colleagues and others who are called

to address what "ope 1rancis has called, >Ra vile activity, a disgrace to our societies that claim

to be civili(edR.3

"t. %osephine


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We stand on the shoulders of giants, not the least of whom was "t. %ohn ? years before the

founding of CC"A. And did you know that CC"A is collaborating this year with 3on Don3

%osco, >Don3 being an Italian form for >1ather3H in +, "ope !ohn "aul II designated him asthe >1ather and Teacher of outh.3 The saint from Turin in northwestern Italy is known around

the world for the work he founded on behalf of poor and abandoned young people as well as for

unevangeli(ed peoples.

In the same year of his ordination, +upright citi(ens and good ;hristians.3 ;atechism lessons were

followed by finding them good employment as apprentices, laborers, and shop clerks. 0eali(ing

the need for schooling, Don %osco opened a night school.

8fter securing a permanent home for his >oratory3the program of work, play, and guidance

that he was running under the patronage of 6t. 1rancis de 6aleshe opened a hostel for orphansand migrants. To provide an environment safer both physically and morally for his apprentice

blacksmiths, bookbinders, and tailors, he undertook to build his own shops at his oratory. That

was soon followed by classrooms so that the young students staying with him wouldnt have togo into the city to their tutors.

In all his work, Don %osco enlisted the assistance of priests and lay people to teach catechism,

provide work and study opportunities, and support his enterprise financially. 7e appealed tothem by calling the salvation of the young one of the noblest works of ;hristian charity as well

as one of great advantage to society. Even the anticlericals running the government supportedhim.

Don %osco impressed upon his boys, also, the need to practice charity toward their neighbors. 7e

founded a mutual aid society among them so that sick or in)ured workers could be cared for. 7ewas one of the founders of Turins branch of the 6t. Aincent de "aul 6ociety, and involved his

older boys in that. 'hen cholera devastated the city in +9


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+-9J to give pastoral care to Italian immigrants as well as to evangeli(e people who had never

heard the $ospel. 8round the world 6alesian men and women have established missions that

include churches, schools, youth centers, hostels, medical clinics, and moreworks of bothspiritual and material charity. They have also provided safe havens in times of trouble, e.g., for

people displaced after 7aitis terrible earth/uake, for refugees from warfare and violence in

;ongo, 6yria, ;entral 8frican 0epublic, and 6outh 6udan.

8ll that began, Don %osco said, with a 7ail &ary and a catechism lesson. It has been driven,

since +


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>0emaining 8wake through a $reat 0evolution,3 *ational ;athedral, 'ashington, D.;., &arch

+, +.H

&oni/ues life as advocate began as a high school senior in 'ashington D.;. in +9. 8

marcher in her schools band, she )oined her classmates in the &artin Luther King Day parade.

During their bus ride, they passed through a downtown corridor that had not yet recovered from

the riots inspired by Dr. Kings assassination +- years beforeB the impact was not lost on them.

!oyful high school seniors discussed the pros and cons of nonviolent struggle and sang the song

created by 6tevie 'onder )ust for this day, >7appy %irthday to ou.3 They were honored to be

residents of the first city to recogni(e the life and accomplishments of this great man by

proclaiming his birthday a holiday. They gained strength and inspiration from his life story.

"lans were hatched to help convince the rest of the country to follow their holiday lead.

Last summer, we celebrated the 9=thanniversary of the "oor "eoples &arch on 'ashington.

Though the +==,===M person assembly at the Lincoln &emorial was not intended to specificallyhighlight Dr. King, it was Dr. Kings >I 7ave a Dream3 speech, one of the final features of the

day, that is most remembered today.

In :=+0emaining

8wake Through a $reat 0evolution.3 7e did not sugar coat words when speaking out against

poverty Gor racism or the Aietnam 'ar, eitherH. 7ow have we taken &oni/ues drive for

advocacy born on &artin Luther King Day, +9 to help ;atholic ;harities reduce poverty in8merica, :=+to separate the gulf between ourselves and the

La(arus 3 that we meet in our ministry through our agencies and parishes.

&oni/ue Davis

Director of "arish %ased &inistriesB

;atholic ;harities, Inc.Diocese of !ackson


&anager of &ission and &inistry, ;atholic

;harities @68
http://mlk-kpp01.stanford.edu/index.php/kingpapers/article/remaining_awake_through_a_great_revolution/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://mlk-kpp01.stanford.edu/index.php/kingpapers/article/remaining_awake_through_a_great_revolution/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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/an.ary 2014

)overty A:areness Month

GEditors *oteJ 1or a number of years, the @nited 6tates ;onference of ;atholic %ishops has marked !anuary as

>"overty 8wareness &onth.3 Aisit povertyusa.org for resources to help you, your agency, and your congregation

increase you knowledge of the state of poverty in the @.6.H

'ords are a powerful tool used on the playground of life. $rowing up in western *ebraska,

there were many different words and sayings I would hear from the adults around me when

speaking about povertyCC>$od helps those who help themselves3 or maybe, >Its )ust part of

$ods plan.3 'hen I was a child, I would consider these words at face value and not really think

about the meaning behind each word or phrase. It was not until I started to /uestion motivations

and the words used that I began to think and talk about people who live in poverty differently.

In full disclosure, Im taking my cues from "ope 1rancis these days. 7e continues to share with

the world his own understanding of how to engage with our neighbors. >"overty that is learned

with the humble, the poor, the sick and all those who are on the eistential peripheries of life.

Theoretical poverty is of no use to us. "overty is learned by touching the flesh of the poor ;hrist,

in the humble, the poor, the sick, in children G>8ddress of "ope 1rancis to the "articipants in the

"lenary 8ssembly of the International @nion of 6uperiors $eneral,3 &ay , :=+H.3

I am more familiar with >theoretical poverty3 than with poverty of the poor, the sick and those

who are marginali(ed. I studied poverty in grad school and have chosen a vocational course that

allows me to engage with my neighbors, yet usually from a distance. 6o what makes me think Ican share words on povertyCCC"ope 1rancis or mine5 I can do this, and you can do this, because

we are moved beyond the numbers and statistics of poverty. 'e know that when we are told ou tell us that to

love $od and neighbor is not something abstract, but profoundly concreteJ it means seeing inevery person the face of the Lord to be served, to serve him concretely. 8nd you are, dear

brothers and sisters, the face of !esus G>Aisit at the 7omeless 6helter UDono di &ariaJ &eeting

with the &issionaries of ;harity,3 &ay :+, :=+H.3 "ope 1rancis is calling each of us to be

engaged, to interact with the word compassion and to move beyond the >theoretical3 into the

world. Fur concrete actions are born under the word compassion.
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/speeches/2013/may/documents/papa-francesco_20130508_uisg_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/speeches/2013/may/documents/papa-francesco_20130508_uisg_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/speeches/2013/may/documents/papa-francesco_20130521_dono-di-maria_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/speeches/2013/may/documents/papa-francesco_20130521_dono-di-maria_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/speeches/2013/may/documents/papa-francesco_20130508_uisg_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/speeches/2013/may/documents/papa-francesco_20130508_uisg_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/speeches/2013/may/documents/papa-francesco_20130521_dono-di-maria_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/speeches/2013/may/documents/papa-francesco_20130521_dono-di-maria_en.html


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What are the words you heard growing up to talk about people who were living in poverty9

What are the words you use today to talk about poverty9 3o you think it makes a difference9

What are the concrete actions you are making to move beyond )theoretical poverty*9 &ow do

you show compassion to people in your community9

$enevieve &ougey"overty Education W Futreach &anagerB @nited 6tates ;onference of ;atholic %ishops,

Department of !ustice, "eace and 7uman Development

/an.ary 6511% 2014

National Migration Week

ise up in splendor, !erusalem" #our light has come, the glory of the Lord shinesupon you, $saiah %&'( )from *irst eading for +piphany of the Lord, !anuary .

-&(/.G

Just as the Hhristmas lights in our neighborhoods, cities, and malls are ta%en downand stored, the rst reading in this /unday+s liturgy reminds us that the splendor o$the @ord still shines upon us.

As the ew Dear begins, and a new wor% wee% commences, we will again hear in/outh Florida, where " li!e, the loud sounds o$ lawn mowers and lea$ blowers. 2anyo$ them are operated by undocumented wor%ers, people who li!e year round inlegal shadows.

@ast year " hired a landscape wor%er to mow the grass in my $ront and bac% yardsand trim the edges and hedges. /ince this was a $ull day+s wor%, at midday " in!itedhim to ha!e lunch. " as%ed him about his $amily. &2y wi$e and my three children are

in 7uatemala,( he said. e was undocumented. e e*plained that he could notearn enough in his country to be able to build them a house. e was using themoney he earned here to build them a house there. e had crossed the deserttwice. &" miss my $amily greatly,( he said, &" wish " could be with my children asthey grow up.(

2y undocumented landscape wor%er story is repeated o!er and o!er with di;erent!ariations throughout the


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1. Join others through the

2014 ordinary time ccusa reflections

Documents