As I have loved you
Catholic Social Services
February 2014
Pope Francis has reminded us in his recently published apostolic letter Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel) that inequality lies at the heart of many social ills and that we are all responsible for people in need.
Archbishop John Dew talks about how Jesus has invited us all ‘to love one another as I have loved you’ (John 13: 34-35). We do this in practical ways, such as:
- Food to the hungry
- Drink to the thirsty
- Welcome to the stranger
- Clothing to the naked, and
- Visiting the sick in person
The charitable work of the church is organised through parishes, Catholic Social Services, hospital and prison chaplains, many religious orders and organisations like St Vincent de Paul and Challenge 2000. Much of this work is done by individuals quietly, generously and unobtrusively.
There are many in our communities, neighbourhoods and parishes who hunger and thirst for human dignity and the necessities of life. Archbishop John asks all of us to reach out to others who are in need. At Catholic Social Services, counsellors and social workers help and support many people in need who come to us every day. Many of you in parishes also do this daily as people turn to you for help. You do it in many different ways – visiting the sick and house-bound, helping refugees settle into your community, visiting people in prison or in hospital, providing food and shelter.
Many of you may not know about what we do at CSS and we don’t know all the things that you all do every day to help and support people in your communities. If we can learn from each other, we will be able to work together.
So, sometime this year, we would love to meet you for a cup of tea and a conversation about what you do in your parishes and communities and what we do at CSS. We can then start to find ways that we can work together.
Imagine what we may be able to do and what a greater difference we could make by coming together. We know there are many passionate people in parishes doing great things and many more who are eager to do something.
If you are interested in coming for a cup of tea, email us or give us a call on (04) 385-8642.