OVERVIEW OF CHARITY

MAY

Virtue: Compassion

“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36)

Catholic Graduate Expectation: A Collaborative Contributor

Catholic Social Teaching: Preferential Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

Overview of the Virtue of Compassion Compassion is a feeling deep within ourselves —a "quivering of the heart" — and it is also a way

of acting —being affected by the suffering of others and moving on their behalf.

Compassion is made up of two words. 'co' meaning together and 'passion' meaning a strong feeling. When we see someone is in distress and we feel their pain as if it were our own, and strive to eliminate or lessen their pain, then this is compassion.

Sharing, readiness to give comfort, sympathy, concern and caring - all are manifestations of compassion.

You will notice also that in the compassionate person, care and love towards others has its origins in care and love for oneself. We can really understand others when we really understand ourselves.

Catholic Graduate Expectation -- I AM A TEAM PLAYER!

A COLLABORATIVE CONTRIBUTOR WHO:

Works effectively as an interdependent team member.

Thinks critically about the meaning and purpose of work.

Develops one's God-given potential and makes a meaningful contribution to society.

Finds meaning, dignity, fulfillment and vocation in work which contributes to the common

good.

Respects the rights, responsibilities and contributions of self and others.

Exercises Christian leadership in the achievement of individual and group goals.

Achieves excellence, originality, and integrity in one's own work and supports these

qualities in the work of others.

Principles of Catholic Social Teaching

OPTION FOR THE POOR AND VULNERABLE:

Catholic teaching proclaims that a basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring. In a

society marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor, our tradition recalls the story of the Last

Judgment (Matthew 25:31-46) and instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first.

Witness to Charity

Teresa of Avila

Teresa of Ávila, also called Saint Teresa of Jesus, baptized as Teresa Sánchez de Cepeda y

Ahumada (28 March 1515 – 4 October 1582), was a prominent Spanish mystic, Roman Catholic

saint, Carmelite nun, an author of the Counter Reformation and theologian of contemplative

life through mental prayer. She was a reformer of the Carmelite Order and is considered to be a

founder of the Discalced Carmelites along with John of the Cross.

In 1622, forty years after her death, she was canonized by Pope Gregory XV and on 27

September 1970, was named a Doctor of the Church by Pope Paul VI.[5] Her books, which

include her autobiography (The Life of Teresa of Jesus) and her seminal work El Castillo Interior

(trans.: The Interior Castle) are an integral part of Spanish Renaissance literature as well as

Christian mysticism and Christian meditation practices as she entails in her other important

work, Camino de Perfección (trans.: The Way of Perfection).

After her death, the cult of Saint Teresa was also known in Spain during the 1620s due to the

religious claim and debate of national patronage versus Saint James Matamoros. Teresa's

younger brother, Rodrigo Cepeda y Ahumada later brought a Santero image of the Immaculate

Conception of El Viejo now widely venerated among Nicaraguan Catholics.[6] Pious Catholic

beliefs also associate Saint Teresa with the esteemed religious image called Infant Jesus of

Prague with claims of former ownership and devotion.

Reflection Inspired by the Charity of Theresa of Avila

“Then your humanity will image God,

As Jesus did.

Then God will look at you

And see God.

Then Eucharist will be your home.

You will not know where you end and God begins,

And where God ends and you begin.

You will be God with God.”

So whether it is wintry exile,

Or Pentecost abundance,

Then I will always know

God is closer to me

Than I am to myself.

-Mary Malone

“Caring Charitable Adult” Action of the Month:

Offer compassion that is unconditional.

- Michael Ungar, Strengths-Based Counseling With At-Risk Youth

Compassion is a great charitable gift that we can give to others.

Liturgical Calendar and Saints of the TCDSB

Liturgical Calendar

Pentecost Sunday, which marks the end of the Easter season in the Christian calendar, celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles. Pentecost falls 50 days after Easter. In 2015, Pentecost falls on May 24th.

TCDSB 2015 RESPECT FOR LIFE WEEK - May 11 to May 13

The Ascension of Our Lord, a Holy Day of Obligation, celebrates the day that Christ, in the presence of His apostles, ascended bodily into Heaven. The Ascension occurred on the 40th day of Easter, so it falls on a Thursday, and thus is often called Ascension Thursday; however, in some dioceses in the United States, the celebration of the Ascension has been transferred to the following Sunday, six weeks after Easter 2014. Ascension Thursday falls on May 14th, 2015

2015 Catholic Education Week – May 3 to May 8

Themes for 2015: 1. Walking Together and Sharing our Story 2. Opening the Scriptures 3. Welcoming Others to the Table 4. Recognizing Jesus in the Breaking of the Bread 5. Proclaiming the Good News

The "liturgical year" begins on the first Sunday of Advent and ends on the last week in Ordinary Time with the Feast of Christ the King. The liturgical year consists of two times: one can call the first time “special season times” and the other is known as ordinary time. The special season times are, Advent, Christmas, Lent, Triduum, and Easter, during which a particular mystery of salvation is celebrated. Ordinary Time, in turn, celebrates the same mystery of Christ in His fullness, especially on Sundays. Ordinary Time is divided into two parts throughout the liturgical year and in total lasts 33 or 34 weeks.

Saint Days of the Toronto Catholic District School Board

St. Joseph the Worker – May 1 St. Dominic Savio – May 6 Our Lady of Fatima – May 13 St. Matthias – May 14 St. Brendan – May 16 St. Paschal Baylon – May 17 St. Dunstan – May 19 St. Rita – May 22 St. Philip Neri - May 26 St. Augustine of Canterbury – May 27

Catholic Charities of the Month

Sisters of the Good Sheppard

The Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd (also known as the Sisters of the Good

Shepherd) is a Roman Catholic religious institute founded in 1835 by Saint Mary Euphrasia Pellet, at

Angers, France. They believe that God was like a compassionate shepherd, and hence their service is

based on infinite love and compassion for those in need. In addition to the standard vows of poverty,

chastity, and obedience, the Sisters of the Good Shepherd aim to particularly support women and girls

who require support and refuge from challenging issues that they are faced with.

To volunteer:

25 Good Sheppard Court, Toronto Ontario

Call: 416-787-4285

Daily Bread Food Bank

Get involved! Run a food drive and make a difference!

Did you know that Daily Bread distributes almost two million pounds of food from the public each year?

You can join the Daily Bread Food Bank during their three major food drives, or choose a time that is

convenient to you. They distribute food all year! Please register in advance to request food collection

bins, use our logo, or arrange for food pick-up. To speak with someone about organizing a food drive,

please call the Food Drives Coordinator at 416-203-0050 416-203-0050 x709.

Through the participating food bank programs, they provide an emergency supply of healthy, nutritious

food to help people manage on low incomes or in a time of crisis. You can help them continue this

important work by donating food from their most needed food items list:

Baby formula & food

Canned fruits & vegetables

Cans of soup or hearty stew

Macaroni & cheese

Rice

Beans & lentils

Canned fish & meat

Dried pasta & tomato sauce

Peanut butter

Canned, powdered or Tetra Pak cartons of milk

On-Going Volunteer Opportunities: Groups – Schools/Youth Daily Bread offers exciting hands-on educational workshops at the Toronto Street location. The workshops include a tour of the facilities and hit on a number of topics relating to food bank use and creating social change. Workshops assist youth and young adults in understanding causes of poverty and how they relate to the community. As part of these opportunities, a volunteering component can be added so that youth put new knowledge to action immediately. For more information, please email learn@dailybread.ca with Groups – Schools/Youth/Special Needs in the subject line. If you are a high school student looking to volunteer as an individual to fulfill your volunteer requirement hours (instead of with a school group), please contact learn@dailybread.ca with High School Volunteer Requirement in the subject line.

Charity Projects - Get Involved Make a Difference!

Showcase a Saint each month: bulletin boards, announcements etc. Compare their lives to students and staff at school and showcase these members of the community.

Associate a Saint to monthly initiatives i.e. St. Francis of Assisi in relation to the environment.

Grade 8’s could research saints: through “reading-buddy” program have older students read or write stories of the Saints and share with younger students.

Rosary Team

Social Justice Announcement: monthly, Tuesday: Act of Hope, Wednesday: Virtue, Thursday: Catholic Graduate Expectations, Friday: Liturgical Season.

Co-operative Planting – Stewards of the Earth

Create “Solidarity” class posters.

Selflessly help (and promote) others.

Give a glowing recommendation.

Tell the person who is looking for a job when you hear about an opening.

If you know that someone was Valedictorian, or received a special award in high school, tell others because they can’t tell people themselves (without it sounding like they’re bragging)

Help people out who might be feeling awkward

Simple Everyday Acts of Charity

Pick Up Garbage

The earth and our environment need our charity too! Beautify your surroundings! Be kind to the

environment and those around you by picking up trash when you see it lying around. It doesn't matter

who left it there, just pick it up! Picking up garbage helps keep your neighborhoods, schools, parks,

beaches, playgrounds, etc. clean and healthy. You will appreciate your surroundings more, and everyone

else will, too. Once a month commit to going to a local park or picnic area and picking up after others

who may have left garbage behind. You can also do this on the side of a road, or even on your

neighbourhood streets. And don't stop at just picking up garbage! Separate out the items that can be

recycled.

Text, Call or Visit Someone Who Isn’t Feeling Well

Your “presence” can often be the best “present” or gift of charity. Being sick is not fun. It can be

frustrating because you are not able to do the things you normally do. Not being able to socialize with

people you normally see can also make being sick very lonely. Call someone who you know is sick and

ask them how they are. Or, surprise them with a visit and bring flowers or a card. Knowing that someone

cares about you is often the best medicine! Visiting or calling someone when they are sick will lift their

spirits. Whether they have a common cold or something more serious that requires them to stay in bed

or go to the hospital, they will appreciate care and concern.

Charity and Compassion – Scripture Passages and Quotes

“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36)

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” (Colossians 3:12)

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:15)

“The Church's deepest nature is expressed in her three-fold responsibility: of proclaiming the word of God (kerygma-martyria), celebrating the sacraments (leitourgia), and exercising the ministry of charity (diakonia). These duties presuppose each other and are inseparable. For the Church, charity is not a kind of welfare activity which could equally well be left to others, but is a part of her nature, an indispensable expression of her very being.” -Deus Caritas Est

“Love is possible, and we are able to practise it because we are created in the image of God.” -Deus Caritas Est

“In a time which often seems to be without goals or ennobling aspirations, we are

challenged to declare ours and to dedicate our lives to their achievement. (This Moment of Promise)

Discussion Starters for Charity and Compassion

What can you do in your life to express your commitment to show your respect for all persons at all stages of life?

Do you believe that people can learn to make thoughtful decisions without much encouragement from their families? Why or why not?

We understand compassion not only as the ability to empathize with another person but also to act on behalf of that other person. If we are truly compassionate then we will more genuinely be able to express thanks or gratitude for the other because we truly care about that person. Who could you thank that you haven’t thanked?

Any attitude can be reinforced by working with the image that you attach to it. Recall the image and you resurrect the feeling. Here is a visualization exercise based on an image of hope. Try this or adapt the format to your own images of hope. ...Close your eyes. Breathe out one time. See a plant blooming in the desert. Then open your eyes.

During the month of May, we remember Mary, Jesus’ mother. Mothers live very hopeful lives... that their pregnancy experience will be healthy, that the new life they are blessed with will grow up to be a loving, caring member of community. What can we learn from Mary about facing life’s fears and the unknown with confidence and dedicated hope? What experiences do you face that require you to be hopeful? What internal or external barriers might stand in your way of hope?

“Love your neighbour as you love yourself”. (Matthew 22: 39) - Identify an area where you need to be compassionate to yourself. Write about how you will go about this.

What are some “authentic signs” of God’s compassionate presence in Catholic schools?

Tell a story about a moral mentor you have known - someone who inspired you with his or her compassionate activity.

In groups of 3 or 4, choose one act of kindness which would make any of the following places a more compassionate place in which to live:

-the school,

-your home

-the world

-your city

Charity Prayers and Affirmations

Prayer Options:

1. A reading from the book of Sirach (42:15-25)

Now will I recall God's works; what I have seen, I will describe. At God's word were his works

brought into being; they do his will as he has ordained for them. As the rising sun is clear to all,

so the glory of the Lord fills all his works... How beautiful are all his works! Even to the spark and

the fleeting vision! The universe lives and abides forever; to meet each need, each creature is

pre- served. All of them differ, one from another, yet none of them has he made in vain, For

each in turn, as it comes, is good; can one ever see enough of their splendor?

The word of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God

2. Faith, Hope and Charity Prayer

Loving God, we pray that the Toronto Catholic District School Board community continue to

witness to the theological virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity.

May we be people of FAITH, always willing to follow the example of Jesus in all that we do.

May we be people of HOPE, always trusting in your loving presence in our lives.

May we be people of CHARITY, always willing to give of ourselves to better the lives of others.

3. Prayer to St. Joseph, Patron of Workers

St. Joseph, Patron of Workers, Help us to respect the dignity of all workers. Help us to learn

about and to care about Workers who do not have fair wages, just benefits, safe working

environments. Help us to raise our voices for justice for workers. Help us to ask our government

and our representatives to develop policies that create jobs with dignity.

You taught your son the value of work and the joy of work well done. Teach us these lessons.

Guide us in our own work and in the work of justice we are all called to participate in. Renew

our strength and commitment each day as we face the work ahead as we labor for the common

good of all. AMEN.

- Education for Justice

4. Mary is special because she lived the very meaning of the Gospel that we are all invited to live.

Mary’s example of staying with Jesus through his suffering and death encourages us to be filled

with compassion and with hope. Mary did not wallow in grief but took courage from his

resurrection. We have been promised in Baptism that the hope Mary saw fulfilled in her life will

be realized within our own lives.

5. St. Teresa’s Prayer Christ has no body now but yours No hands, no feet on earth but yours Yours are the eyes through which He looks Compassion on this world Yours are the feet with which He walks To do good Yours are the hands with which He blesses All the world Yours are the hands Yours are the feet Yours are the eyes You are his body Christ has no body but yours No hands, no feet on earth but yours. AMEN

6. Lord, open our eyes

that we may see you in our brothers and sisters.

Lord, open our ears

that we may hear the cries of the hungry,

the cold, the frightened, the oppressed.

Lord, open our hearts

that we may love each other as you love us.

Renew in us your spirit.

Lord, free us and make us one. AMEN

7. Dear God, Help us to remember that others don't always see the way we do, hear what we

hear, feel what we feel, or understand things the way we've come to understand them. You give

each of us gifts that are uniquely ours but so often we fail to value the gift in another, judging

other gifts as wrong, or as somehow less important than our own. Give us the compassion you

want us to have, O Father, and teach us to embrace each other with compassionate arms, no

matter what our age, color, creed, history, or belief. Help us to remember that you are Life

Itself, and that you are using every one of our unique gifts to bring us together with you once

again. AMEN

Dear God, How long has it been since we walked in someone else's shoes? Today, we can honor

and respect those people we meet who come from different backgrounds, travel on different

roads, choose different lifestyles, express themselves differently, or come from other parts of

the world. We can look at them with eyes of love and know that our differences show the

unique character of our individual gifts, but the life that animates us--the light at the centre of

our souls--comes from one source, the source we all share from our loving God the Father.

AMEN

Affirmations:

I will seek to understand others by listening.

I will forgive others.

I will celebrate God’s love for creation.

When I plant a seed or a bulb this spring, I will be reminded to plant hope in my heart.

I use my gifts and talents given to me by God.

I always do my best.

I build on my strengths and weaknesses.

I set goals.

I accept change

I am proud of the good things I do.

I am thankful for the gifts of others.

Concluding Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer (or your choice)

Charity and Compassion - Media Links

Henry Poole Is Here

Mark Pellington

A deeply spiritual movie about miracles, hope, love, and living in the present.

Children of the Batey Sugar is more than just a sweetener for the children in the Bateyes of the Dominican Republic. For these children of sugar cane cutters, sugar is the reason they can survive. But it is also sugar that keeps them in their impoverished condition. In the Batey where the sugar cane cutters and their families live, the children run around in the midst of tiny shacks and garbage heaps, exposed to malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS.

http://saltandlighttv.org/prog_special_batey.html