Pope Benedict tells us that the Church’s charitable activity manifests God’s love. He quotes St. Augustine: “If you see charity, you see the Trinity.” The Holy Spirit harmonizes our hearts with the heart of Christ who, in loving us, showed us the Father’s love. Christ became the servant of all, bending down to wash the feet of His disciples and laying down His life on the Cross. We, His disciples, must share in and replicate His love as individuals and as a community of faith.
Love of God and neighbor is a responsibility of individuals and of the whole Church – our parishes, our Archdiocese, and the Universal Church. It flows from our life of faith and worship.
Here in the Archdiocese of Baltimore we can take pride in Catholic Charities. It is the largest private provider of charitable and social services in Maryland and the third largest Catholic Charities operation in the United States. Offering an array of programs it reaches out to the homeless and the homebound, the unemployed and the working poor, the elderly and disadvantaged youth, and so much more. It is led and staffed by highly professional people deeply committed to the mission. Add to that the many volunteers and the immense generosity of Catholics throughout the Archdiocese and you can see why it is so successful in carrying out its compassionate mission.
Because Catholic Charities is such an excellent agency sustained by the generosity of parishioners, it successfully competes for government contracts. It delivers much-needed services effectively and compassionately. In a word, Catholic Charities is a necessary source of strength for the City of Baltimore and the nine counties of the Archdiocese, who, frankly, turn to the Church to help citizens in need.
Let’s continue to pray for those who carry forward the mission of Catholic Charities and let’s offer them our support by volunteering and by sharing our resources so that we may grow in our capacity to love others as Christ has loved us.