May 4, 2016

By Sister Donna Franklin, DC
Diocesan director, Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities Bridging the Gap Program reaches out to individuals and families who “fall between the cracks” of traditional services.

This program offers counseling, financial assistance for critical needs and classes in budgeting and nutrition.  You may not know this, but there are many individuals and families living in the shadows. They feel invisible. They live on the margins.

Assumptions about working people and the cost of living are the roots of misconceptions.  These men, women and children often experience emotional distress, hunger, live with the threat of homelessness and struggle to meet their other basic needs.

These people includes the working poor, retirees, recently unemployed, underemployed, veterans, farmers,  farm workers and other people who “fall between the cracks” of traditional services. Because they have earned a little too much over the poverty limit or have a pension or own a home, land or car, they may not qualify for any of the safety net services.

They deserve to have their stories heard and their needs recognized.

Living paycheck to paycheck
Living in a pay check to pay check existence places an individual or family in a multi-layered, vulnerable position.

When the cost of food, utilities or home heating fuel goes up, the average working person does not receive a comparable raise in income. Wages for the working class person have remained static for over twenty years. Wages lagging behind the cost of living result in growing numbers of people living just one crisis away from financial distress and the emotional strain that accompanies financial challenges.

I met Laura after her husband went to jail. This mother of three was left with the job of raising the children, paying the bills, working fulltime and carrying the burden of being a member of a family of someone identified as a criminal. Laura struggled to juggle all of the aspects of her life and responsibilities. When she found herself lacking enough funds to pay her electric bill, Laura came to meet with a Catholic Charities caseworker. Catholic Charities was able to help Laura and her family with the utility bill, school clothes and supplies for the children.

Pope Francis says, “ Let us rediscover the [the] corporal works of mercy: to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, heal the sick, visit the imprisoned and bury the dead.”

In this Year of Mercy
During this Year of Mercy, we recommit ourselves to living according to Jesus, the Way the Truth and the Life. Building community, showing respect for the dignity of each person, reaching out to the most isolated and marginalized members of our society all flow from hearts and spirits filled with mercy that nourishes compassion.

Like his father before him, Roy worked at the local industrial plant. All of his adult life, Roy worked hard, supported his family and paid into a retirement plan at work. When the plant closed suddenly Roy was out of work for the first time in his life. How would he support his family? What would he do when his small savings ran out? Where would he find another job at age 57? What if he couldn’t pay the mortgage or car insurance? His initial sense of powerlessness created anxiety and depression. Roy, at first, was embarrassed about going to counseling. Finally, his wife convinced him that he deserved to have some extra support through this difficult time. Catholic Charities provided counseling free of charge to Roy. This support service helped Roy avoid becoming demoralized and immobilized. He set goals, found a new job with benefits. He and his family benefitted from Catholic Charities supportive services.

Catholic Charities provides services on a sliding fee scale basis. The agency can offer this support because of the donations we receive from our generous benefactors.

No one is ever turned away because of their inability to pay for the service.

Mothers Day Appeal
Catholic Charities Annual Appeal will take place in all of the parishes of the Diocese on the weekend of May 8. Funds from this Appeal are used to support the programs and services of Catholic Charities. Healthy families are the foundation of healthy communities.

Your financial gift to Catholic Charities is an investment in the health and wellbeing of your community. You can give your donation through your parish or send your check directly to Catholic Charities. Please remember to note the name of your parish on your check so your parish can be credited for your gift to Catholic Charities. If you prefer, you can give your donation online. Go to the Catholic Charities website at: www.cathcharities.org. If you have any questions  contact Catholic Charities at: (315) 393-2255.