This past Sunday, Chris West from Catholic Relief Services (http://www.crs.org/) gave a presentation on “Global Solidarity” at the National Catholic Office for the Deaf Pastoral Week. Although the scheduled was completed months ago, it was a timely presentation. He updated us on the situation in Haiti and informed us of the damage sustained at the Catholic Relief Services building, the workers who were missing and the knowledge that some had been killed. (He related how one worker was in a market when the earthquake hit. The worker happened to be in the pet food aisle. The bags of pet food formed a protective support when the roof collapsed – she was saved by pet food!)
“Solidarity” is the Catholic Social Justice principle that reminds us that each human being is connected with every other person; we are all truly brothers and sisters to one another. “Global Solidarity” simply expresses the reality that “solidarity” connects us with those who are on the other side of the world as surely as we are connected to those who are closer to us. In his presentation, Chris West told us that he believes that when a person begins to believe in solidarity, it will transform his life and that, over time, solidarity will transform the world.
Last month, when thieves broke into the St. Malachi Center trailer and stole all the new toys and gifts for the homeless people, there was an enormous outpouring of donations, toys, hats, gloves, gifts from people at St. Malachi (and the wider community). People clearly felt a connection to the people served by the Center and recognized their needs.
The need of the people of Haiti is much greater.
This weekend, there will be a special collection for relief for the people of Haiti. 100% of the funds will go to Catholic Relief Services, who was working in Haiti before the earthquake and will continue to work in Haiti long after this immediate crisis is past.
Last month, the people of St. Malachi responded to the children and needy/ homeless men and women served by the Center with overflowing generosity.
Can our generosity be at least as great for the people of Haiti?
Solidarity Will Transform the World
This past Sunday, Chris West from Catholic Relief Services (http://www.crs.org/) gave a presentation on “Global Solidarity” at the National Catholic Office for the Deaf Pastoral Week. Although the scheduled was completed months ago, it was a timely presentation. He updated us on the situation in Haiti and informed us of the damage sustained at the Catholic Relief Services building, the workers who were missing and the knowledge that some had been killed. (He related how one worker was in a market when the earthquake hit. The worker happened to be in the pet food aisle. The bags of pet food formed a protective support when the roof collapsed – she was saved by pet food!)
“Solidarity” is the Catholic Social Justice principle that reminds us that each human being is connected with every other person; we are all truly brothers and sisters to one another. “Global Solidarity” simply expresses the reality that “solidarity” connects us with those who are on the other side of the world as surely as we are connected to those who are closer to us. In his presentation, Chris West told us that he believes that when a person begins to believe in solidarity, it will transform his life and that, over time, solidarity will transform the world.
Last month, when thieves broke into the St. Malachi Center trailer and stole all the new toys and gifts for the homeless people, there was an enormous outpouring of donations, toys, hats, gloves, gifts from people at St. Malachi (and the wider community). People clearly felt a connection to the people served by the Center and recognized their needs.
The need of the people of Haiti is much greater.
This weekend, there will be a special collection for relief for the people of Haiti. 100% of the funds will go to Catholic Relief Services, who was working in Haiti before the earthquake and will continue to work in Haiti long after this immediate crisis is past.
Last month, the people of St. Malachi responded to the children and needy/ homeless men and women served by the Center with overflowing generosity.
Can our generosity be at least as great for the people of Haiti?