Gala Event Displays Work of Budding Photographers to Give Them a Brighter Future

May 7th, 2012

By Marianna Reilly

Last month, photographs taken by teenagers in foster care shared art gallery walls with a private collection of images by renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz.

A young photographer poses with her piece, which was purchased at auction during "The Foundling in Focus," an art gallery fundraiser for The New York Foundling, a Catholic Charities agency.

Fifteen young men and women in The New York Foundling’s Youth Development program were given disposable cameras with the assignment of capturing their daily lives throughout the month.   Ten of their photographs were selected for display — and for auction — at Soho’s Mayson gallery on April 14th for a benefit event called “The Foundling in Focus.” The Annie Leibovitz collection on display featured portraits of Whoopi Goldberg, Louis Armstrong, Steve Martin and The Blues Brothers.

“This unique opportunity gave our kids a chance to show us how the world looks through their eyes,” said Bill Baccaglini, Executive Director of The New York Foundling.  “Having their work displayed in the company of such famous photographs in such an elite gallery just reinforced the importance of their vision and this opportunity for creativity.”

Prior to the event, the young photographers were given a private tour of the gallery, learning about the day in the life of a gallery director and receiving lessons on exhibiting artwork.

This fundraiser, the first of its kind for The Foundling, raised more than $15,000 for the Foundling’s Youth Development program, which helps prepare young men and women to successfully transition into adulthood upon aging out of foster care.  The program assists youth in securing housing, identifying and pursing educational and career goals and acquiring vital skills to ensure they’ll be able to live independently, despite the odds stacked against them.

All of the framed photographs taken by youth were purchased through a competitive auction held at the event. The Annie Leibovitz collection was not for sale.

The New York Foundling, a Catholic Charities agency, has been serving children in need since 1869 with services including foster care, child abuse prevention, community-based family services, supportive services for teen parents, residential alternatives for developmentally disabled people, an innovative charter school, and youth development programs. Learn more about the New York Foundling.

Posted in Agencies, Protecting and Nurturing Children and Youth | No Comments »

Viacom Corporate Volunteers Refresh a Harlem Community Center

April 30th, 2012

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is more than just a buzzword. As more and more for-profit companies become directly involved in community stewardship, charitable organizations can benefit from meaningful support that goes beyond philanthropic dollars to include cause-based awareness building and group volunteering.

Check out a photo album on Facebook featuring our Viacom volunteers: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151536650910494.842472.302103665493&type=3

On April 20, Catholic Charities welcomed volunteers from Viacom’s annual ViaCommunity Day, in which Viacom employees join forces to support community projects in cities around the world. Thanks to the energetic team, a long-awaited and much-needed painting project was completed at the Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Center in Harlem.

The Kennedy Center’s fourth floor Alumni Conference Room, a multipurpose room used for activities ranging from Bible study classes to choir rehearsals, offers great acoustics for music rehearsals – but the mustard-yellow walls have been in need of a refreshing paint job. Luckily for the Kennedy Center, roughly 25 volunteers from Viacom, the parent company of Paramount Pictures and media networks including MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central and BET, dedicated their day to painting the room a crisp, bright white.

Lead by Staci Bruce, Catholic Charities Director of Volunteer Services and former Viacom employee herself when she worked for Showtime, and Tara Clark, the project’s team leader, the painting project was able to get completed by lunch time.

“I always look forward to [ViaCommunity Day]. This is a great way to build camaraderie and also help the community,” said Tara, who works for Nickelodeon.

And help the community they did. A painting project of this magnitude could be very costly and take three times longer if contracted with a private company. During times when nonprofits must contend with reduced budgets and limited funding, volunteer projects like this are often the only way these community-based charities can keep serving their clients. This is especially so for the Kennedy Center, which serves more than 6,000 people every month, operating services ranging from college preparation workshops to a food pantry for the elderly.

Stacy Katz and Kelly Sherman of Comedy Central discussed why ViaCommunity Day is of particular importance to them:

“I like to give back but I don’t always have the time to do something like this. Viacom takes charge in setting this up each year and actually encourages people to show up and help.”

The Kennedy Center wasn’t the only site that benefited from today’s event. While most Viacom volunteers painted the room, a dozen split off to work on painting a mural that will be presented to the Beacon of Hope House, a Catholic Charities Community Services program that serves physically and emotionally challenged individuals.

Viacom was named the overall leader in CSR practices by PR News in 2011.

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Thank You for Feeding Our Neighbors

April 13th, 2012

Late last year, Cardinal Dolan identified a critical need in the New York Archdiocese: hungry families and dwindling food pantries. He asked us to meet the challenge of replenishing food pantries and soup kitchens to ensure that no hungry neighbor is turned away.

Between January 22nd and January 29th, this challenge was met. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Catholic schools, parishes and institutions of the New York Archdiocese, we raised more than 575,000 meals through the Feeding our Neighbors Campaign: A Catholic Response. Just as important, our message resonated — no hungry neighbor, non-Catholics and Catholics alike, should be turned away.

Parishes responded by filling the boxes provided, publicizing the campaign, and holding a second collection to help meet this basic human need. Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) teams throughout the Archdiocese pledged generous goals to support their home parishes in this endeavor. Archdiocesan Catholic schools joined in by holding special food drives, collecting thousands of pounds of food through the generous support of students and their families.

We extend special thanks, and congratulations, to organizations that went above and beyond in contributing to the Feeding Our Neighbors campaign. Holy Name of Jesus, Valhalla, was the highest-contributing parish, with more than 5,025 pounds of food collected. Regina Coeli School was the highest-contributing Catholic school, with more than 1,350 pounds of food collected.

Rusty Staub and the Mobile Food Pantry helped collect food donations at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and throughout the Archdiocese throughout the week-long campaign. Generous support and partnership was also provided by the Archdiocesan Catechetical Office and the Office of the Superintendent of Schools.

Because of the hard work of many, more than 40 parish and community-based food pantries and soup kitchens received food or grants:

STATEN ISLAND: St. Edward’s Food Pantry at Mt. Loretto, St. Ann Parish, St. Mary of the Assumption and Holy Family Food Pantry.

MANHATTAN: St. Mary’s Food Pantry, Church of St. Gregory the Great Food Pantry, Our Lady of Lourdes Pantry, Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal – Fr. Solanus Casey Food Pantry, Kennedy Center Food Pantry; Harlem, Washington Heights Ecumenical Food Pantry, St. Cecilia’s Food Pantry; East Harlem, Our Lady of Sorrows Food Pantry; Lower East Side, All Saints Food Pantry; Harlem and St. Mark’s Food Pantry; Harlem.

BRONX: St. Crispin’s, St. Raymond’s Food Pantry, St. Simon Stock Food Pantry, St. Anthony Parish Food Pantry, Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal Guadalupe Convent, Immaculate Conception Food Pantry, Our Lady of Grace Social Outreach Pantry and Highbridge Community Pantry/Muslim Women’s Institute.

WESTCHESTER: Holy Rosary; Port Chester, Holy Spirit Food Pantry; Cortlandt Manor, Food Bank of Westchester, Franciscan Friars of the Renewal; Yonkers, St. Mary’s Food Pantry; Mohegan Lake, St. Joseph’s; Yonkers, St. Peter’s Parish Food Pantry; Yonkers, Sacred Heart Church; Mount Vernon and Sacred Heart Food Pantry; Dobbs Ferry.

ROCKLAND: Catholic Community Services of Rockland and St. Peter’s Parish Food Pantry.

DUTCHESS: Hyde Park Community Pantry, St. Denis Parish Food Pantry; Hopewell Jct., St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry and St. Mary Mother of the Church Parish Food Pantry; Fishkill.

SULLIVAN: St. George – St. Francis Parish Food Pantry; Jeffersonville and Federation of the Homeless.

We look forward to another successful Feeding Our Neighbors campaign in 2013. Thank you again for your support.

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Transforming Lives with Hope: An Easter Video from Catholic Charities

April 9th, 2012

Easter is a sign of hope, and a sign of life. It is a reminder of the work we do at Catholic Charities for those who are suffering in our community.

The time of Easter reminds us that the help we give is a creative help – one that renews, one that transforms.

With your help, Catholic Charities enables people to transform their lives, so that they can live a new life, in a new way, based upon the goodness, the love and the caring that you bring to them.

So to all the friends and supporters in the Catholic Charities family, thank you for all that you do. We wish you a most blessed Easter season.

Transform a life this Easter.

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Posted in Seasonal Message, What we do at Catholic Charities | No Comments »

Good Friday Processions: A Nationwide List

April 4th, 2012


CALIFORNIA

San Jose City Hall (San Jose) – Procession sponsor: “Communion and Liberation”

http://www.dsj.org/news-and-events/calendar/way-of-the-cross-procession

 

Court Street Square (San Bernardino/Highland) – Catholic sponsored – Interdenominational

http://www.pe.com/local-news/local-news-headlines/20120402-region-easter-related-events-this-week.ece

 

St. Joseph’s Cathedral (San Diego) Good Friday Pro Life Procession and Stations of the Cross

http://www.calendarforlife.org/librarycfl/librarycfl2012/DateLibrary1204.html

 

Sacred Heart Catholic Church (Ventura) Good Friday Walk in Reparation for the Sin of Abortion

http://www.calendarforlife.org/librarycfl/librarycfl2012/DateLibrary1204.html

 

Our Lady of Peace Church (Santa Clara) 37th Annual Good Friday Prayer Walk for the Unborn

http://www.olop-shrine.org/announcements.html

 

COLORADO

Blessed John XXIII Parish (Denver) – Daylong Interactive Stations

http://www.archden.org/index.cfm/id/309/iEventID/1132

 

Our Lady of Grace (Denver) – Interdenominational procession

http://www.denvergov.org/doca/DenverOfficeofCulturalAffairs/PermittedSpecialEventsCalendar/tabid/437302/ctl/Details/Mid/499143/ItemID/6453/Default.aspx?ContainerSrc=[G]Containers/ForAgencies/TransparentLgTitle

 

FLORIDA

Holy Redeemer Catholic Church (Miami) Interdenominational procession for poor, homeless, victims of violence

http://www.miamiarch.org/ip.asp?op=Events_ShowAll_Lenten#1231215122619

 

Palm Beach, Florida: Pax Christi Palm Beach sponsored Good Friday Stations of the Cross Focused on Immigration

http://paxchristiflorida.org/events

 

 Tallahassee, Florida: Pax Christi Tallahassee & Florida Catholic Conference Good Friday Stations of the Cross United against the Death Penalty

http://paxchristiflorida.org/events/

 

 St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church (Delray Beach) “Living Stations of the Cross”

http://stvincentferrer.com

 

 GEORGIA

State Capitol (Atlanta) Interdenominational multi-lingual procession through downtown Atlanta concluding at MLK Jr.’s crypt

http://www.archatl.com/calendar/

 

IOWA

St. Ambrose Cathedral (Des Moines) Traditional “Way of the Cross” through downtown Des Moines

http://blog.dmdiocese.org/index.cfm?category=3

 

ILLINOIS

Providence of God Church (Chicago) – “Living Stations of the Cross”

http://www.archchicago.org/news_releases/daybook.shtm

 

Holy Name Cathedral (Chicago) Procession  sponsor: “Communion and Liberation”

http://www.wayofthecrosschicago.org/main.htm

 

Most Blessed Trinity Parish (Chicago) – “Living Stations of the Cross”

http://www.archchicago.org/news_releases/daybook.shtm

 

St. Agnes of Bohemia (Chicago) – Via Crucis (Way of the Cross)

http://www.archchicago.org/news_releases/daybook.shtm

 

LOUISIANA

Grand Caillou Highway (Dulac) Interdenominational “Living Way of the Cross”

http://www.louisianafolklife.org/LT/Articles_Essays/CulturalCatholicism4.html

 

TENNESSEE

St. Daniel the Prophet (Nashville)

http://www.catholicnewworld.com/cnwonline/2012/0325/around.aspx

 

MASSACHUSETTS

Government Center Station (Boston) “Way of the Cross for Life”

http://www.meetup.com/Way-of-the-Cross-for-Life/events/48891712/

 

MARYLAND

St. Camillus Church (Silver Springs) Multicultural Via Crucis

http://www.stcamilluschurch.org


MAINE

St. John’s Catholic Church (Auburn)

http://thepresence.fm/events/?event_id=1009

 

MISSOURI

Troy Fairgrounds Park (Lincoln County) – Interdenominational procession

http://www.lincolncountyjournal.com/?p=3567

 

 NEBRASKA

Mary Magdalene Church (Omaha), Creighton Center for Service and Justice’s 34 Annual Good Friday Walk for Justice

http://blogs.creighton.edu/ccsj/2012/04/34th-annual-good-friday-walk-for-justice

 

NEW MEXICO

Prince of Peace Parish (Albuquerque) Good Friday Youth Hike through the Sandia Foothills reflecting of scriptural Stations of the Cross

http://www.popabq.org


NEW YORK

Good Friday Way of the Cross through Manhattan: Pax Christi Metro New York’s 30th Annual Good Friday Way of the Cross through Manhattan

http://www.nypaxchristi.org/events.html

 

Way of the Cross over the Brooklyn Bridge to Ground Zero: Communion and Liberation sponsored traditional Way of the Cross

http://www.wocbrooklynbridge.com

 

 St. Stephen Church (Brooklyn) Traditional Italian Good Friday Procession with Statuary of the Body of Christ and Our Lady of Sorrows

http://www.mariaaddolorata.com/pb/wp_cc594c73/wp_cc594c73.html

 

NEW JERSEY

Chuch of St. Ann’s Hampton Traditional Good Friday Procession with Statuary of the Body of Christ and Our Lady of Sorrows

http://saintann1859.org/Bulletin.html

 

St. Joseh’s Chuch (Lodi NJ) Living Stations of the Cross

http://stjoelodi.org/

 

OHIO

Various (Cleveland) - Interdenominational procession

http://www.cleveland.com/religion/index.ssf/2012/03/coming_cleveland_area_religion_59.html

 

St. John the Evangelist (Cincinnati) – “Good Friday Way of the Cross for Peace and Justice”

http://www.stjohnwc.org/justice-and-peace-0

 

OREGON

St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church (Portland) Washington County Walk of the Cross for Peace and Justice

http://blog.oregonlive.com/my-beaverton/2012/03/washington_county_walk_of_the.html


TEXAS

St. Mary’s Cathedral (Amarillo)  various (14) Via Crucis (Way of the Cross)

http://amarillo.com/lifestyle/faith/2012-03-30/catholic-holy-week-services

 

St. Paul Catholic Church (Austin) – Passion of Christ Mime and Way of the Cross

http://www.saintpaulaustin.org/

 

St. Patrick Cathedral (Fort Worth) – Walking Stations of the Cross

http://www.fwdioc.org/Pages/default.aspx

 

University of St. Thomas Chapel (Houston) – Communion and Liberation sponsored traditional Way of the Cross

http://www.texasmonthly.com/forum/events/article/7432

 

Pax Christi Houston sponsored Good Friday Walk for Justice

http://www.hpjc.org/node/345

 

WASHINGTON

St. James Cathedral (Seattle) – Young Adult Pilgrimage Walk to Five Churches – Begins Holy Thursday – ends After Midnight Good Friday

http://seattleoyyam.org/programs/young-adult-ministry/archbishops-holy-thursday-pilgrimage

 

 WASHINGTON D.C.

32nd Annual Good Friday Walk for Justice, Interdenominational procession sponsored by the 8th Day Center for Justice

 http://www.8thdaycenter.org

 

 Holy Week Faith and Resistance Retreat, a non-violent Good Friday witness at the White House sponsored by the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker Washington D.C.

http://dccatholicworker.wordpress.com

Posted in Events Note, Interfaith, New York City, parishes, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Autism Awareness Month: How to Support the Cause

April 2nd, 2012

By Marianna Reilly

April 2, 2012 — According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 88 children in the U.S. is affected with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) – a statistic that represents an increase of 78% since 2002.

Cardinal Dolan visits the workshop of Possibili-Tees, an organization that employs autistic and developmentally delayed individuals to produce custom screen-printed apparel and promotional items.

This figure is even more troubling in light of new research showing that these children are bullied and emotionally abused by their peers at an above-average rate.

A recent survey of 1,200 parents of autistic children found that 63% of children with an ASD were bullied by their peers. The survey, conducted by the Kennedy Krieger Institute’s Interactive Autism Network, found that this bullying is often intended to instigate the emotional “meltdowns” that autistic children can suffer from.

Today, the United Nations recognizes World Autism Awareness Day to “spur action and draw attention to the unacceptable discrimination, abuse and isolation experienced by people with autism and their loved ones,” said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in a written statement.

Throughout the month of April, observed as Autism Awareness Month, Catholic Charities encourages you to get involved in this important cause. Want an easy way to start? Learn about Possibili-Tees, an innovative nonprofit established as part of the work-training program at the Mission of the Immaculate Virgin (MIV), a Catholic Charities sponsored agency. Possibili-Tees produces custom-designed t-shirts and promotional items, and also provides gainful employment and job skills training to young adults with ASDs and other developmental disorders.

In a 2011 article in Autism Advocate, Possibili-Tees founder Tom Siniscalchi lamented the lack of employment opportunities for individuals with ASDs and the hesitance of employers to hire them. “It’s a great workforce, Just untapped,” Siniscalchi said of people with autism.  “After graduation… just a few [young adults with autism] end up landing jobs, and often it’s because their parents know somebody.”

You can support the workers at Possibili-Tees by ordering promotional items or screen-printed apparel for your company, school, or event.

Looking for more ways to learn more and get involved? Check out the resources below, and leave a comment to share your own favorite resources with us.

Autism Awareness Month Resources

Cardinal Hayes Home

Cardinal Hayes Home is a not-for-profit agency pro­viding residential care and treatment for young people who are developmentally disabled. The agency accepts ambulatory and non-ambulatory young people who are severely intellectually disabled. The individuals in the agency’s care are multi-handicapped. Some have a diagnosis of autism, others have cerebral palsy, epilepsy or neurological impairment.

Kennedy Child Study Center

The Kennedy Child Study Center is a nonprofit agency dedicated to assisting very young children who experience significant difficulties in learning and other areas of early childhood development. Additionally, Kennedy Child Study Center provides direct services and supports to parents and other caregivers as they seek to provide a rich family life in which these children can thrive.

How to Stop a Bully

How do we fight the dangerous cycles of bullying and hazing? Psychologist Dr. Susan Lipkins speaks with Catholic Charities Executive Director Msgr. Kevin Sullivan about something she calls “Vulture Culture,” outlines the warning signs of hazing and offers suggestions for how to halt cruel and destructive behaviors.

Parish resources for Autism Awareness Month, from The National Catholic Partnership on Disability.

“Light it Up Blue”: Join Autism Speaks in replacing one of your lights with a blue light to “shine a light” on the cause.

Carly’s Voice: Breaking Through Autism (book)

Read one of the first books to explore firsthand the challenges of living with autism. At the age of two, Carly Fleischmann was diagnosed with severe autism and an oral motor condition that prevented her from speaking. In Carly’s Voice, her father blends Carly’s own words with his story of getting to know his daughter.

Chamber Music Benefit Concert to support Autism Awareness Month (April 14)

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Hear the Voices of Help and Hope

March 22nd, 2012

Hear stories of hope — directly from just a few of the people whom Catholic Charities has helped over the past year. This short film premiered at our Annual Gala Benefit on March 21, 2012 in the Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf=Astoria.

This year’s gala was a record-breaker in terms of both fundraising and attendance. Nearly 1,000 guests helped to raise more than $2.5 million to provide help and create hope in the lives of our neighbors in need.

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Posted in Events Note, Feeding the Hungry and Sheltering the Homeless, New York City, Protecting and Nurturing Children and Youth, Strengthening Families and Resolving Crises, Supporting the Physically and Emotionally Challenged, Welcoming and Integrating Immigrants and Refugees, What we do at Catholic Charities | No Comments »

How to Strengthen an Interfaith Relationship

March 14th, 2012

Cross-cultural awareness and sensitivity is profoundly important in diverse communities such as New York – especially when it comes to issues of faith. In this series of blog posts, Catholic Charities explores the many dimensions of interfaith relations, and the ways in which social services organizations can take a leadership role in this area, so that we can create positive, productive, and charitable communities.

By Richard Bertin

The most influential interfaith relationship there is doesn’t always come between nations, governments, and organizations. Sometimes it’s just between two people. For many of these cases you’ll find that despite a couple’s varying religious beliefs, love is the ultimate mediator that makes the relationship work. Sure, I know that sounds a bit fluffy, but it’s true.

On the Sirius/XM radio program, JustLove, host Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, Catholic Charities Executive Director, discussed the topic of interfaith marriage with Monsignor Desmond Vella of the Marriage Tribunal Office, which investigates marriage nullification claims. Monsignor Vella, who has provided marriage counsel to couples for more than 20 years through the Metropolitan Tribunal of the Archdiocese of New York, spoke about how important it is for an interfaith couple to find commonality with each other. Although it is helpful when that unifying bond comes from religion, what is even more important than sharing the same faith is for couples to mutually respect each other’s spirituality, to understand and accept differences, and above all, to have unconditional love for each other.

Since this can be easier said than done, Msgr. Vella offered a few tips to guide interfaith relationships, helpful for both young couples and those who are already married. Share your own tips in the comments field below.

  1. Realize that an interfaith relationship offers the opportunity for dialogue and understanding of different faiths, including your own. Your respective faiths can even be strengthened.
  1. The more commonality you have with your partner, the better chance of success and happiness. When you don’t share the same faith, commonality can be found in others areas such as social, educational, economic, and recreational interests.
  1. Differences shouldn’t be swept under a rug. They must be talked about and recognized. Working through an interfaith marriage is a two-fold process that takes work but it can lead to a strengthening of commitment to each other.
  1. Even if one person may not be as fervent in their faith, other social differences will still need to be worked through. These differences can arise in everyday tasks such as cleaning, cooking, and observing holidays.
  1. A child’s religious settings need to be discussed early. However, parents should be open to ways of sharing their different faiths with their child. Enculturation shouldn’t be feared. In fact, sharing the beauty of other religions can lead to forming a more tolerant and spiritual person.
  1. Differences shouldn’t be feared.  Deep-rooted religious beliefs can lead to a reconsideration of marriage. This is why communication and open dialogue is so important. Issues that aren’t addressed early on will not go away – they will eventually appear more powerfully and perhaps uncomfortably in the future.

Do you have your own tips for a successful interfaith relationship? Share them with us in the comments below.

Listen to the full interview with Monsignor Vella.

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Posted in Interfaith, JustLove | No Comments »

A Muslim-Catholic Social Service Partnership

February 27th, 2012

Cross-cultural awareness and sensitivity is profoundly important in diverse communities such as New York – especially when it comes to issues of faith. Ensuring positive interfaith relations on institutional and interpersonal levels can result in a more positive, charitable community for all. In this series of blog posts, Catholic Charities explores the many dimensions of interfaith relations and the ways in which social services organizations can take a leadership role in this area.

By Richard Bertin

While we might traditionally associate February with Black History Month, Valentine’s Day, and the honoring of past presidents, religious traditions are also central to this time of year. On Feb 3, many Muslims celebrated Mawlid-al-Nabi, the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, while during the middle of the month Catholics began the Lenten season with Ash Wednesday.

Catholic Charities New York, presented 2,500 pounds of food to the Muslim Women’s Institute Community Food Pantry at Highbridge, in the Bronx earlier this month

We all know how important it is to learn about the past and celebrate the diverse cultural groups that contribute to our community – which of course includes religion. Never before have people worldwide been more connected to each other as they are today and yet there is still a pressing need for different cultures to understand each other, particularly in the politically polarizing realm of religion.

This past month, a partnership between Catholic Charities and the Interfaith Center of New York (ICNY) took action on this very issue.

After the success of the Archdiocesan-wide Feeding Our Neighbors campaign, which collected enough food and funds to supply 575,000 meals to replenish local food pantries, 2,500 lbs of that bounty were donated to the Muslim Women’s Institute Community Food Pantry at in the Bronx.

Thanks to the support of the GHR Foundation and ICNY, Catholic Charities has formed interfaith partnerships with Muslim food pantries that are also suffering from food shortages and decline in public funding. By joining together to reach a common goal of helping neighbors in need – despite cultural and religious differences – more food is available to all New Yorkers.

Did you know?

  • Only 20% of the world’s Muslim population lives in the Middle East. (60% are found in Asia)
  • Calling a person or group “Islamic” is inaccurate.  To describe someone who follows Islam, it is better to use the term “Muslim.” The word “Islamic” is an adjective used to describe objects or ideas that connect to ideals of Islam, such as “Islamic art.”
  • China has more Muslims than Syria. (One-fifth of the world’s Muslim population lives in countries where Islam is not the religious majority.
  • “Arab” is not a racial or religious classification; it’s an ethnic classification. (There are 22 Arab nations)
  • 63% of Arab Americans are Christian. (24% are Muslim)

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Posted in Feeding the Hungry and Sheltering the Homeless, Interfaith, What we do at Catholic Charities | No Comments »

Daily Lenten Challenge

February 23rd, 2012

Lenten crossThroughout the Lenten season, check in with Catholic Charities New York for creative ways to engage more fully with the 40 days of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Check this post daily during the week for updated tips and inspiration for how to make the most of Lent. Leave comments below to share how you are doing with your Lenten commitments, and with these daily challenges.

For extra support, sign up to receive these daily messages via email here.

April 2 ~ Adopt a Family. Looking to make a difference in the world by the end of Lent? Adopt a family in need through the St. Nicholas Project. By supporting this project, you provide critical social services year-round to families in need in our community.

March 30 ~  Be frugal. Each dollar saved can help a child who is truly hungry. $5 can help us:

…feed one hungry child for 2 days

…provide a family with 3 days of fresh fruits and vegetables

…feed a mother and her child for one day

March 29 ~ Give to a thrift store today. Donate old housewares to a charity thrift store, like the Catholic Charities Community Services Thrift Store, and help support the homes of our neighbors in need.

March 28 ~ Help someone smile today. Integrate a few small — perhaps even anonymous — acts of kindness into your day. What will you do? Share your story in the comments field below this post.

March 27 ~ Remind yourself of your Lenten pledges today, and take some time to re-ignite your commitments. There are many ways to give back through Catholic Charities.

March 26 ~Pray for those who generously serve our neighbors in need within our 90 agencies throughout the Archdiocese of New York.

March 23 ~ Provide a meal for those suffering from hunger today. Donate food or volunteer at a food pantry near you. Last year, Catholic Charities provided 6.5 million meals for the hungry.

March 22 ~ Practice Patience. Take the time to answer questions with extra patience and thoughtfulness today. Be kind to strangers who stop you for directions. Be generous to a coworker in need of assistance.  Learn about the compassionate services Catholic Charities provides every day for those in our community with special needs.

March 21 ~ Pray for those who are homeless, for families in the shelter system, and for those who are searching for a home. Take action to help the homeless by volunteering with our Junior Board’s Midnight Runs.

March 20 ~ Welcome and Support Immigrants and Refugees. Know someone who has a question about immigration or refugee services in New York? Make a note to direct them to the Catholic Charities Immigration Hotline for free, professional consultation. Today, the immigration hotline answered 119 calls for help and advice in 18 different languages. The Catholic Charities Immigration Hotline: 212-419-3737 or 1-800-566-7636 (Toll-free in NYS)

March 19 ~ Pray for the unemployed in our community. Catholic Charities helped 7,900 people with job training and placement this past year.

March 16 ~ Take an active role in our political process. Learn about ways to advocate for a just society, and how Catholic Charities works to make this possible.

March 15 ~ Pray for families today. Each year, our agency network helps more than 3,300 families stay together.

March 14 ~ Learn about your Community

Today, put aside some time to learn more about your community. In what ways are your neighbors in need? In what ways can you help? Learn your state’s or your neighborhood’s hunger statistics — you might be surprised.  And check out the services that provided by our 90 agencies. There is one near you, working hard each day to help your neighbors.

March 13 ~ Join a Group

The best way to adopt a habit of generosity and selflessness is to surround yourself with like-minded people. Join a community of leaders dedicated to charity.

Cardinal’s Committee for Charity

The Catholic Charities Junior Board

March 12 ~ Make Your Commitments Mobile

Make the most of each day in Lent – even in the midst of a busy life. Check out this list of web-based and mobile resources to help you keep prayer, fasting and almsgiving central to this sacred season.

March 9 ~ Make a Small Sacrifice

On this Lenten Friday, sacrifice the cost of a small or large indulgence today to help feed a family in need. Instead of a latte and pastry, a $10 can provide fresh produce for a hungry family. Instead of dinner at a restaurant, a $50 gift can provide safe shelter for a mother and her children. 

March 8 ~ Support Fair Trade

While shopping for yourself or your family, buy fair trade products when possible. This ensures that workers are paid a fair wage and that sustainable production practices are being followed. Buying fair trade coffee is an excellent – and easy – place to start. Catholic Charities supports international social justice across the globe.

March 7 ~ Find Ways to Give Back

Use your talents to support a meaningful cause. The Catholic Charities Junior Board provides opportunities for leadership and service.

March 6 ~ Welcoming Newcomers

Be kind and generous to your New York neighbors. Learn about Catholic Charities’ heritage of welcoming immigrants and refugees.

March 5 ~ Resolving Crises

Give emotional support to someone in need today. Talk to a friend in need or write a letter – anything to show that you care.

Catholic Charities provides compassionate and professional therapy  to more than 3,000 individuals each year.

March 2 ~ Nurturing Children

Spend some time today talking to a child in your life. Pray that he or she has the opportunities necessary to succeed in life and reach their full potential.

Each year, Catholic Charities helps more than 4,000 children reach their potential through day care and Head Start programs.

March 1 ~ Catholic Social Teaching

Learn about Catholic Social Teaching, and how we are called to help others. Be a part of Catholic Charities’ advocacy for social justice and human dignity.

February 29 ~ Help your neighbors

Help a neighbor in danger of eviction preserve their home by directing them to help at Catholic Charities. The team at Catholic Charities prevents eviction for more than 4,800 families each year, and helps an additional 17,000 individuals in need find emergency shelter, transitional housing, or permanent affordable housing. Learn more.

February 28 ~ Pray for Others

Pray for those in our community who are struggling to live even the most modest lives. For a glimpse into the life of one of your neighbors in need, read about a man we are helping to support his family and achieve a better life.

Little to Show for Strong Work Ethic and a Degree

February 27 ~Building New Habits.

Today, adopt one small daily or weekly selfless habit that you will pledge to continue throughout Lent, and make good deeds part of your everyday life.

Follow us on Facebook to participate in the Catholic Charities community online, and share your voice with us.

February 23 ~ Where do you volunteer?

Make a Lenten goal to serve our community. If you already volunteer, try to increase your service hours this season. If you don’t volunteer, joining Catholic Charities’ diverse volunteer corps is a good way to start. You can explore a variety of our volunteer opportunities online.

February 22 ~ Ash Wednesday

Watch a special Ash Wednesday video message from Catholic Charities Executive Director Msgr. Kevin Sullivan.

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