Each day across the Diocese of Providence, people in need turn to the Catholic Church for help and support. Some are hungry, some are homeless, some are sick, and some are even imprisoned by pain, anger or fear.
In addition to the poor however, there are others who turn to the Church for help in other ways. These souls ask for our Church’s help to bring Christ to others. They help in working with our youth, or receive help with a solid Catholic education, or family counseling, or building stronger parish religious education programs. These are but a few of the many examples of how support for the Catholic Charity Fund Appeal makes a real difference in the lives of others in need.
This year Catholics across the diocese have the chance to help continue these good works of mercy. The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in their spiritual and bodily needs. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7) is Jesus’ clear reminder that the compassion we share with others is our primary duty before God whose mercy we ourselves seek. The works of mercy—found woven throughout Sacred Scripture—is traditionally expressed as bodily and spiritual acts of compassionate service to others. Such works are a daily experience across the Diocese of Providence as Catholic Charity Fund Agencies provide the poor, the sick, the needy, the stranger and the suffering the merciful hands of Jesus Christ.
The theme for the 2010 Catholic Charity Fund Appeal is “Your Hands, God’s Work.” With the Catholic Charity Appeal, the Church provides for the spiritual and even physical needs of so many families and neighbors throughout Rhode Island. And while we are all called to be merciful, we cannot always personally reach out in direct service to those most in need. However, we can certainly have a hand in making sure that works of mercy continue in the Diocese of Providence by supporting our 85-year tradition of charitable giving. By working together we can bring Christ’s message out into the world. We as a family of faith can help bring a little light and a little hope to thousands of people each year by supporting the appeal with our generous donations.
As the Annual Catholic Charity Fund Appeal kicks off this weekend across the Diocese of Providence we are reminded that whatever you can donate, you will be doing it for those who really need you, members of our one family in Christ.
