Commentary
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Pope Francis Inspiring a Movement to Address Inequality – “Count Me In”
Thanks that Pope Francis continues to give voice and draw attention to the unacceptable reality of inequality in the world – most recently in an address prepared for the World Economic Forum in Davos. Catholic Charities deals with this reality each day – neighbors unfed and under-fed; families dangerously housed or without housing; children neglected and inadequately educated; immigrants un-welcomed and refugees in fear and persecuted. Providing Help, Creating Hope, Catholic Charities’ tagline, is also our mission laced with more than a tinge of obsession. And so Catholic Charities provides help – day in and day out to non-Catholics and Catholics alike. And we try to create hope for those…
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An Unexpected Treat from Winnie the Pooh
Sometimes, in the middle of the night, in unexpected places, you come across a treat that captures so much humanness. Luck, serendipity – I might call it God’s grace. It’s worth sharing…Treat yourself! Read 8 Heartbreakingly Adorable Quotes From Winnie-The-Pooh
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Cardinal Dolan and Mayor de Blasio Meet Discuss Working Together to Foster New Yorkers’ Common Good
Yesterday, Cardinal Dolan and Mayor de Blasio met at the Cardinal’s Residence to discuss how they might work together to foster a better New York. Mayor de Blasio expressed particular appreciation for the inspiration of Pope Francis and his concern about issues of inequality that impact the poorest and most vulnerable. They spoke about the tremendous contribution the Church makes in multiple ways to the fabric of New York. They also expressed hope for a visit by Pope Francis to New York to share his message about serving the poor. Mayor de Blasio specifically pointed out the important work of Catholic Charities: “We talked a lot about affordable housing. We…
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Pope Francis & Atheists & Catholic Charities
Pope Francis’ recent talk about the how the Blood of Christ has redeemed us all – including atheists struck a chord with the world – and with me in a particular way. People often have asked me if Catholic Charities helps “non-Catholics.” At first this bothered me because Catholic Charities for as long as I can remember and much beyond has always helped people regardless of their religion. I was a little frustrated that after all these years people would still ask. But then I realized we must not have been doing a good enough job in making sure people knew this fact. So now in all material we put…
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More on Bangladesh
When I visited my family earlier this week for Christmas, the millenniums and the baby boomers were all quite inquisitive about my recent trip to Bangladesh. I showed them my cell phone pictures of the workers who were disabled by the garment factory tragedies of the last year. Immediately, they wanted to know about the conditions in the factories there. Their initial reaction – without even the slightest goading by me – was outrage by the unsafe conditions that led to the two recent tragedies. They didn’t know until a little later that their Christmas gifts would further raise their awareness about the garment industry in Bangladesh – and the…