December 3, 2009
My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
In Deus Caritas Est (God is Love), our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, writes, “The exercise of charity became established (as one of her (Church) essential activities, along with the administration of the sacraments and the proclamation of the word: love for widows and orphans, prisoners, and the sick and needy of every kind, is as essential to her as the ministry of the sacraments and preaching of the Gospel. The Church cannot neglect the service of charity any more than she can neglect the Sacraments and the Word” (Pope Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est, no. 22). In that spirit, Catholic Charities administers its work to all in need of food, shelter, counseling, clothing, and emergency assistance; and in so doing, provides (more importantly) the gifts of hope, faith and charity to the least of our brothers and sisters.
Amazingly, the agency receives 5,000 calls a month and directly assisted more than 40,000 people last year alone. Your continued support is vital, and on December 12th and 13th, the annual second collection for Catholic Charities will provide an opportunity for you to impart hope and love to someone in great need within the community. As a witness to Catholic Charities’ faith in action, I know that we are often the last, best hope for those in need of food, shelter, a safe place from emotional or physical abuse, and financial assistance. Your support of our diocesan Catholic Charities enables it to provide services to many suffering and distressed individuals and families in our community who have nowhere else to turn.
With your contributions, Catholic Charities will continue its efforts to expand programs and services throughout our diocese. Last year, it initiated the diocesan-wide Christ House on Wheels program that delivers needed food, household items, and school supplies to low-income families. In March 2009, we founded St. Margaret of Cortona Transitional Residences based in Woodbridge for homeless families. We also have an office in Leesburg, named our Western Regional Office, to serve our most vulnerable in the outlying areas.
Your support will enable the agency to operate soup kitchens, food pantries and shelters for the homeless and hungry; provide rent and utilities assistance to the poor; care for the elderly who are alone; offer mental-health counseling for the afflicted; promote life to women in crisis pregnancies, adoption and foster care programs; and aid immigrants and the disabled. Please help keep these programs strong and vibrant through your support during the December 12-13 second collection for Catholic Charities.
“Within the community of believers there can never be room for a poverty that denies anyone what is needed for a dignified life” (cf: Deus Caritas Est, no. 20). I ask you to be generous with your sacrificial gift this season so that all our needy brothers and sisters in Christ may experience His love made visible through us.
Joining you in this outreach to the least of our brothers and sisters, I remain,
Faithfully in Christ,
Most Reverend Paul S. Loverde
Bishop of Arlington
