Lenten Mission ONE MISSION: Many Hearts, Many Hands

Transcription

1 2015 Lenten Mission ONE MISSION: Many Hearts, Many Hands

2 2015 Lenten Mission ONE MISSION: Many Hearts, Many Hands CATHOLIC CHARITIES MISSION AND VALUES Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago fulfills the Church s role in the mission of charity to anyone in need by providing compassionate, competent, and professional services that strengthen and support individuals, families, and communities based on the value and dignity of human life. In order to remain faithful to our mission, Catholic Charities is guided by these core values: respect, compassion, competence and stewardship. RELATED LENTEN MATERIALS All videos and Lenten mission materials are available online at: For more information or questions about the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago Lenten Mission, please contact: Kristin McDaniel (312) kmcdaniel@catholiccharities.net This year the Catholic Charities of the Achdiocese of Chicago Board Relations Committee and the Faith Committee of the Junior Board have planned a five-week Lenten mission, One Mission: Many Hearts, Many Hands. The goal is to educate, inspire and guide people to commit their hearts and hands to the work of charity. Each week focuses on a different group supported by Catholic Charities: the Homeless, Seniors, Families, Veterans, and Refugees, and includes reflections that will help us come closer to walking with those in poverty as Pope Francis has asked us to do. Suggested scripture, prayers, videos and books appropriate for all ages will increase our understanding of the Catholic Charities mission, and strengthen our empathy for the poor. This mission encourages interaction with others. We urge you to share this booklet with family and friends. Download a PDF version at: wwww.catholiccharities.net/lent No matter where you are, you can participate. For example, if grandparents and grandchildren live in different states, everyone can read the same material, view the same video, say the same prayers, and set a time to talk by phone or online using the discussion questions provided in this booklet. Suggested service projects can be done together or separately. As we journey through Lent toward Easter Sunday, let us strive to extend our hearts and hands and assist Catholic Charities clients with One Mission: Many Hearts, Many Hands.

3 Volunteer This Lenten season, please consider volunteering at Catholic Charities as a way to support the Church s mission of charity, and to learn more about local needs. Several opportunities are mentioned in this brochure. Go to to see the full range of opportunities and to sign up. SPECIAL LENTEN FAMILY SERVICE PROJECT True charity requires courage: Let us overcome the fear of getting our hands dirty so as to help those in need. Pope Francis MARCH 30 Monday EASTER BASKET MOTHER S DAY AND FATHER S DAY Board of Advisors, Junior Board and family members, children and grandchildren encouraged to attend! St. Vincent Hall 721 N. La Salle Street 6-8 p.m. We will assemble donated items into Easter baskets for children, and Mother s Day/Father s Day care packages for adult clients in our programs. Baskets and care packages will be blessed. You can help by assembling baskets with us or donating the following items: Easter baskets: basket, candy, small toy, book Men s/women s items: decorative bags and tissue, travel/sample size deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, hair products, hand/ body lotion, combs/brushes, crossword or other puzzle books, playing cards CAN T ATTEND? Drop Off Donated Items: 721 N. LaSalle Street Label donations: March 30 Service Project

4 week 1 FEBRUARY 22 HOMELESS How does God s love abide in anyone who has the world s goods and sees one in need and refuses to help? John 3: Children playing in a room at one of Catholic Charities family shelters. A family may become homeless due to job loss, domestic violence, fire or other disaster. Catholic Charities family shelters provide a safe, homelike environment with shared activities and tasks where families can get back on their feet. Last year 6,707 families avoided foreclosure through housing counseling resources; 991 individuals were housed in our family shelters. How marvelous it would be if, at the end of the day, each of us could say: today I have performed an act of charity towards others! Pope Francis Do I have the ability to recognize the humanity of a homeless person and not just judge them by their condition? Do I understand the causes of homelessness and how it can happen to people from all walks of life? Dear God, help me to find the courage and compassion to see the face of Jesus in everyone I encounter, especially those who are homeless. Watch 2014 Faces of Poverty, Video 1 online at Read A Shelter in Our Car by Monica Grunning Watch Ronald Davis, Homeless Chicago Man online at Make sack lunches and drop off at Catholic Charities sites Serve at one of our evening suppers Color placemats for evening suppers Carry extra energy bars to give out when asked for help by people on the street

5 week 2 MARCH 1 SENIORS Seniors at Catholic Charities Annual Senior Prom. Seniors call upon Catholic Charities for a wide range of assistance; from helping coordinate medical and nutritional support to home repair. Last year, a total of 398,070 seniors received services from Catholic Charities. People have a dignity that is priceless and worth far more than things. Pope Francis Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. Leviticus 19:32 Do I make time to be physically present for those who are elderly within my family? Within my community and neighborhood? Can I look at an elderly person and imagine them as a child, young adult, and middleaged? Can I appreciate the fullness of the life they lead and the wisdom they have to impart? Dear God, give me the grace to offer compassion, patience, encouragement and empathy to my elders. Watch Cyber-Seniors Documentary Official Trailer online at Visit or call elderly relatives and neighbors; ask them about their life story Read, Mrs. Katz and Tush or watch Winfred Gordon McDonald Partridge online at Explore senior services in your community; find an activity you can assist with Offer to help an elderly relative or neighbor learn how to access the Internet at the local libraries Donate board games, crossword puzzles and craft items to a senior center Gather items for older women and men for March 30 service project (see p.5)

6 week 3 MARCH 8 FAMILIES When someone is reduced to poverty, we have an obligation to help. Leviticus 25:35 A family at one of our Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Food and Nutrition centers. Hundreds of thousands of families are helped by Catholic Charities each year. One of our largest programs for families is our Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program that provides healthy foods for children ages birth to 5. Our WIC Food & Nutrition Centers served 171,298 women, infants, and children with nutritious food, education, and support to promote good health. The measure of greatness of a society is found in the way it treats those most in need, those who have nothing apart from poverty. Pope Francis Do I help to strengthen families in my own community? Can I provide help and hope to those who are struggling financially or emotionally to raise a child? How do I celebrate the single parent family and make them feel accepted and supported? Dear God, let the example of the Holy Family s struggles remind me of the love that needs to exist and grow in families. Help me to offer compassion and assistance to the families I encounter. Watch A Family Faces the Growing Edge of Poverty online at Read The Double Life of Zoe Flynn by Janet Lee Carey; discuss with children in your life Read to children at Early Childhood programs Mentor an underprivileged youth Donate clothing, bedding, and food to family shelters or to a Catholic Charities clothing closet Donate and/or assist in assembling Easter baskets for children on March 30 (see p.5)

7 week 4 MARCH 15 VETERANS Seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow. Isaiah 1:17 A formerly homeless veteran who is now a longterm employee of Catholic Charities. Veterans served our nation and Catholic Charities serves veterans in need by providing housing, counseling, employment assistance, and other supports. Last year, 9,107 veterans were assisted with housing, mental health counseling, and job placement. Charity, patience, and tenderness are very beautiful gifts. If you have them, you want to share them with others. Pope Francis Do I truly appreciate those who would lay down their lives for others? Would I do the same? How do I honor and support those who have served my country? Dear God, help me to offer compassion and support to those who gave so selflessly of their family life, physical and mental well-being in bravery to protect my freedom. Watch the 2014 Veterans in Need video online at Read: Veterans: Heroes in Our Neighborhood by Valerie Pfundstein Serve a dinner at Cooke s Manor Hines recovery residence Sort clothing at Mary s Closet, a program that provides career clothing for veterans and other clients of Catholic Charities Collect toiletries for veterans served by Catholic Charities Pray for our men and women who served and are serving in our country s armed forces; particularly those who were wounded or killed during conflicts

8 week 5 MARCH 22 REFUGEES For I was a stranger and you welcomed me. Matthew 25:35 A refugee family in an apartment located and furnished by Catholic Charities. Refugees are people who have had to flee their native country due to religious or political persecution or other crisis. For many decades, Catholic Charities has helped refugees make the U.S. their new home, by providing intensive support to new arrivals. Last year, 469 refugees, including children, were assisted with resettlement in Chicago All of us together are a family in the Church, who is our Mother. Pope Francis Do I understand the difference between a refugee and immigrant? How would I cope with spending many years in a refugee camp, and then starting over with nothing in a foreign place, far from family and friends? Dear God, help me imagine what it must be like to be a stranger in a strange land. Help me to offer compassionate assistance and encouragement to refugees in my community. Watch 2014 Faces of Poverty: Refugees video online at Read Making It Home: Real Life Stories from Children Forced to Flee by Beverly Naidoo Provide child care for parents attending refugee programming at Catholic Charities Tutor adults in English as a Second Language programs Donate clothing and household items to help create a new home Donate supplies and purchase items from Catholic Charities LOOM Program

9 Catholic Charities is guided by these core values RESPECT COMPASSION COMPETENCE STEWARDSHIP