• Commentary

    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…

  • Commentary

    Homily on Frances Xavier Cabrini

    Over the past year, our country has debated how we should treat foreigners and immigrants. How do we treat those who come here with the right immigration papers? How do we treat those who are here without the right papers- estimated now at 12 million individuals living and working in the United States? This debate reminds me of the biblical story of Jesus and the lepers.  In this story, ten men suffering from leprosy, the most dreaded disease during biblical times, approached our Lord, calling out “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”  Jesus cured them all yet only one special person, a Samaritan – a foreigner — returned to thank…