July 2, 2014

Our parish communities are measured by how they serve “the least of these” in our parish and beyond its boundaries – the hungry, the homeless, the sick, those in prison, the stranger (MT. 25: 31) Our local families of faith are called to ‘hunger and thirst for justice’ and to be ‘peacemakers’ in our own communities(Mt 5:6-9). (U.S. Bishops, Communities of Salt and Light)

By Sister Donna Franklin, DC
Diocesan director, Catholic Charities

The partnership between Catholic Charities and the parishes reaches all the way back to 1917. For over 97 years Catholic Charities has been part of the diocesan family. Acknowledging the primacy of the parish in the evangelization mission of the Church, Catholic Charities continues to search for opportunities to partner with parishes.

The Annual Mother’s Day Appeal brings together the parishes and Catholic Charities in assuring that Catholic Charities can continue its mission and Catholic identity. Each year all of the parishes provide financial support for the works and the mission of Catholic Charities. This support is essential and deeply appreciated.

Partnership in Malone
There are multiple additional partnerships existing between Catholic Charities and various parishes.

The Catholic community in Malone partners with Catholic Charities in multiple ways. Catholic Charities programs and services are located in one of the parish community’s buildings in the former St. John Bosco area.

Catholic Charities runs the area food pantry and the parish helps to provide a salary for the staff person who coordinates the pantry. Programs for pregnant and parenting teens, financial assistance, and holiday support programs for individuals, families and the elderly exists all with the support of parishioners and the community.

With Watertown parishes
The parishes in Watertown support the collaborative holiday outreach programs. Catholic Charities provides the parishes with angels for their Giving Trees and the parishes respond generously. Holy Family, St. Anthony’s, and St. Patrick’s parishes participate in this important community program, providing toys and clothing for over 350 Head Start families. 

Holy Family and St. Patrick’s parishes include requests for gas and food gift cards. These gift cards provide essential support for families during the winter months. The gift cards are used for medical and employment travel.

St. Patrick’s parish provides a welcoming environment for our Ombudsman Program’s training sessions.

Altar Rosary Societies
The Altar and Rosary Societies throughout the Diocese hold baby showers and provide the various Catholic Charities offices with clothing, diapers and other infant and toddler items.

Each year Catholic Charities receives a delivery from the Norfolk altar and Rosary Society’s baby shower.  These items support many families.

Recently, the Altar and Rosary Society of St. James and St. Ann’s in Wells and Lake Pleasant did a wonderful job of handcrafting bags and filling them with personal care items. These bags have been distributed throughout the diocese and have been a great resource for families.

Catholic Daughters
The Catholic Daughters of America provide support to Catholic Charities in many ways. They have provided financial support. Recently, the Catholic Daughters from Saranac Lake visited Catholic Charities administrative offices in Ogdensburg. They brought with them an exquisite array of baby items. Diapers, new clothing and beautiful hand crafted items and a check to support our services to mother s and babies. A few years ago, the Catholic Daughters throughout the State presented a check to each of the eight Catholic Charities organizations in New York State.

St. Peter’s Parish in Lowville has been generous in providing space for Catholic Charities Ombudsman Program meetings.

St.  Alexander’s Parish in Morrisonville provided toys and other presents for Catholic Charities’ Christmas outreach program in Plattsburgh. St. Alexander’s is a consistent source of referrals to Catholic Charities programs/services.

The Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus throughout the Diocese witness to the two aspects of Christian service: direct aid and advocacy. The various councils provide financial support to Catholic Charities. They advocate for the vulnerable through their work in support of the sanctity and the dignity of human life. This commitment is evident each year as they attend the Catholics at the Capital Day in Albany.

St. Vincent de Paul
The St. Vincent De Paul Societies in Ogdensburg and Massena provide essential services to individuals and families in need. The Ladies of Charity in Ogdensburg are always there to help the people that Catholic Charities staff refers for clothing assistance.
Each year the St. Vincent DePaul Society makes a substantial donation to Catholic Charities.

St. Peter’s in Plattsburgh
St. Peter’s Parish in Plattsburgh has been a tremendous source of support, especially, when disasters have impacted the lives of many individuals and families in Clinton and Essex counties. Catholic Charities was able to begin the disaster response as quickly as possible due to the financial support from St. Peter’s. Over 500 people were assisted after a serious hurricane and flooding. Without the help from St. Peter’s Parish our response would not have been as rapid or as broad.

Wherever Msgr. Duprey is pastor, he makes sure that his young people learn how to advocate according to the values and principles of the Gospel. Each year he brings a group of students to the Catholics St the Capital Day in Albany.

Passing on the legacy of direct service and advocacy is the responsibility of every Christian and each parish. Along with students from Immaculate Heart Central in Watertown the young people from Plattsburgh are learning the importance of using their prophetic voices.

Advocacy plays a significant part in transforming the world. Many parishes encourage their parishioners to participate in the annual Catholics at the Capital Day.  This day highlights the Bishops’ legislative agenda. Based on Catholic Social teaching and organized by Catholic Charities, the Catholics at the Capital Day provide the opportunity for Catholic from our parishes to join Catholics from throughout New York State is making our voices heard.

Harvest Walk
The Harvest Walk/Run is an annual event held in Ogdensburg where people of all ages, walk/run to raise money. The funds are distributed to various agencies, food pantries and holiday programs. The success of this fundraiser is due to the commitment made by the members of St. Mary’s Cathedral, Notre Dame, St. Raphael’s in Heuvelton and Sts. Philip and James, Lisbon. The support of the clergy from all of the parishes plays an important role in encouraging their parishioners to make a difference in their community.

Catholic Charities collaborated with Mercy Care of the Adirondacks and the parishes in Watertown to train 18 nurses for faith community based health care.

Board of Trustees
Father Patrick Ratigan, Father Scott Seymour, Father Steve Murray, Father Kevin McEwan, Deacon Mark Bennett, Ursuline Sister Teresa Byrne, Grey Nun Sister Barbara Schiavone and St. Joseph Sister Jennifer Votraw, help to shape policy and oversee the mission of Catholic Charities through their service on the Board of Trustees. Father Art LaBaff continues his support of Catholic Charities as a member of the Corporation.

All of the members of the Board of Trustees and the Corporation belong to parishes throughout the diocese. This leadership support from the parishes is welcomed and essential to the functioning of Catholic Charities.

Gratitude
Catholic Charities is grateful to Bishop  Terry LaValley for his pastoral leadership and continued support and encouragement. His commitment to building a Diocesan community of compassion, charity and justice creates an environment for the development of both direct aid and advocacy. Catholic Charities is grateful to all of the parishes in the Diocese. Many of our clients benefit from the soup kitchens, food pantries, thrift stores, holiday outreach programs and other parish services.

Parishes are called to reach out to the hurting, the poor, and the vulnerable in our midst in concrete acts of charity. Just as the gospel tells us our lives will be judged by our response to the “least of these,” so too our parishes should be measured by our help for the hungry, the homeless, the troubled and the alienated –in our own community and beyond. (U.S. Bishops, Communities of Salt and Light)