Several weeks ago, I mentioned that the Bishop is asking all Catholics to become more involved with caring for the poor and homeless. We are trying to establish a ministry here at ROL for this purpose. Please contact me (391-4884) if you are interested. We want to explore the different directions this ministry can take. We may be involved in legislative efforts; we may be involved in renovating vacant public housing. Let's brainstorm. If I get one person to call me, we'll meet!
When emergency procedures are explained before an airplane takes off, we are instructed to put on our oxygen mask before trying to help others. Of course, the logic is that we can't help someone else if we aren't safe ourselves. But once we are safe, we are expected to help. Our Catechism instructs us that "God blesses those who come to the aid of the poor and rebukes those who turn away from them." It goes on even further to say that "Love for the poor is even one of the motives for the duty of working so as to 'be able to give to those in need.'" Yikes! That's a big assignment.
We have to ask ourselves, "What is enough?" How many shoes, purses, TVs, Starbuck's lattes, electronics, or clothes are enough? At what point is our "air supply" adequate so that we are expected to give back? Our parish family at ROL is extremely generous. When asked, the response is overwhelming sometimes. Can we do more? Always. The Bishop is asking us to take it to the next level and try to help SOLVE homelessness. It's an assignment bigger than us individually. We need to become involved in the Big Picture. Please pray on this to see if there is a role for you to play.
Gotta go boot up my hard drive! Aloha---Mary B
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