Catholic Standard El Pregonero
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Spread the word – you are part of it

Years ago, one of our major Catholic Charities’ supporters urged me to do a better job of getting the word out about the great work accomplished by the agency. He was right, both because we are blessed to help so many in need and because we do it with your help and in your name as Catholics responding to Jesus’ call. 

Combined with everything you and other Catholics do individually, the amount of charity our entire Church provides throughout the year is incredible – from major undertakings and financial support to a simple smile or “hello” to someone who needs it. 

One major misunderstanding about Catholic Charities is that we serve only Catholics. I believe most Catholics know that is not true, but some who are not Catholic hear the name of the agency and believe our services are just for those in our Church community.

That has never been the case, and it never will be. Our first question to anyone who comes to us is, “How can we help?” Most of the more than 167,000 we served last year were not Catholic, and I can tell you they are extremely grateful to receive assistance with their basic needs.

We often say that Catholic Charities is the last resort for many people. They often come to us after having sought help at other places, and we know that our door might be the last on which they knock. That’s why it is so important to me that our staff says “yes” every time they can, and “no” only rarely and only when they must.

Oftentimes, our yes means direct assistance through one of our programs. If we do not have a program for a particular need, our yes means helping that individual find the assistance they need through our fellow social services agencies in the area. 

In just a few weeks, copies of our 2021-2022 Annual Report will be distributed. It is a full summary of all the programs and activities that took place in the archdiocese over our last fiscal year, which ended June 30, 2022. I encourage you to take a few moments to read it, as I think you will feel good about all your Church does to help those in need.

You will read about the number of people served – more than 167,000 men, women and children. You will read about the 2.9 million meals we provided, the 7,301 people who received medical and dental assistance, and the 2,259 clients who received employment support and job training. 

You will read about our many programs, including new ones like the Newcomer Network, which does amazing work helping newcomers to our country become more stable, empowered and connected to their communities. You will have a sense of all the good that is done through our spectacular volunteers and donors, and you will see listed with gratitude those who have supported the work of Catholic Charities over the past year. 

It's a labor of love to pull this comprehensive report together, and my hope is that it spreads the message that the Catholic Church and Catholic Charities are doing the work of Jesus healing the sick, reaching out to those in need, and helping all who come our way. During the pandemic, many people experienced Jesus and the Church through Catholic Charities, and we continue stepping up our efforts to deal with the urgent needs of today. 

This annual report is a great opportunity to rejoice in all the good that has been done, all the help that has been given, and all the love that has been shared. I offer my deepest thanks to all who make this possible by giving of your time, your talent and your finances. 

All of us who help the poor, who respond to those in need, and who say “yes” to those who come our way are doing the work of Catholic Charities. No matter how much or little you may have been involved with Catholic Charities in particular, I hope you see some of yourself in this report. It is ultimately about all those who see God’s love in a Church that always tries to take care of our brothers and sisters in need and respond with comfort, care and compassion to any and all who seek our help.

(Msgr. John Enzler, the president and CEO of Catholic Charities of The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, writes the “Faith in Action” column for the archdiocese’s Catholic Standard newspaper and website and for the archdiocese’s Spanish-language El Pregonero newspaper and website.)

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