|
 For the last two years, the Peace and Justice Commission has been requesting some report on the use of grants from the Province. So this seems a good time to share some of the inspiring stories that we have been hearing.
Food, glorious food. Sad to think that Oliver Twist’s need for food is still so prevalent. Several of our parishes have requested funds for just this purpose. For instance, the sandwich makers of Sacred Heart Parish in Tucson, Arizona, used our grant to buy provisions for sandwiches distributed to the poor through the Catholic Worker House Casa Maria. (http://www.casamariatucson.org/history.html). They prepare lunches for 320 people which are distributed on the last Tuesday of every month.
Saint Francis of Assisi in Grove City, Florida, has been able to meet the increasing need for food in their area. They served 7800 in 2007 and 12,838 in 2008. And in the past Saint Cecilia’s in Englewood, New Jersey, has seen a sharp increase. Saint Cyril in Tucson, Arizona, and Saint Raphael’s in Los Angeles, California, are also reporting an increasing need for pantry or meal needs. So this is a coast to coast reality.
In a talk at the CTS (Catholic Theological Society) meeting last year, James Davidson of Purdue University addressed the issue of theology according to generations. Generally, values formed early in life tend to last in shaping our core value system. The grants for students at Mount Carmel High School, Chicago, Illinois, and at Crespi Carmelite High School, Encino, California, have supported the schools’ efforts to cross borders, to help the poor, and to educate for justice. The Chicago students helped to rebuild homes in Appalachia and others marched for life in Washington, DC. Students from Crespi worked on a project in Mexico and also distributed food and toys to children in the Los Angeles area. Brother Mark Zittle, O.Carm., conducted a unique outreach program for teens at Saint Simon Stock in the Bronx, one for members of the parish youth group that included games, exercise, trips to the Cloisters Art Museum, discussion of films, and daily prayer; the other open to all the children of the neighborhood for a safe place to play. Needless to say, he learned a great deal from both programs, as did the students, and as did the whole parish.
 Advocacy is another goal of the grants. Father Peter Hinde, O.Carm., keeps us aware of the border problems in Juarez, Mexico, and the problems with the maquiladoras (small manufacturing factories) and the depreciation of women as workers and as assault victims indeed represent injustice and tragedy. Father Tracy O’Sullivan, O.Carm., used last year’s grant to purchase a sound system for translation that has greatly aided parish and school parent meetings. He also supported parish efforts regarding the consequences of gang activity in south central Los Angeles. Similarly, at Saint Simon Stock, two animators provided instruction for 15 adults in catechetical formation for one week and then provided a Bible school for over 40 children for families of the working poor in the Bronx. The theme was ‘Announcing God’s Salvation’ and centered on the prophets. Materials were available in both English and Spanish.
In a sense, these represent some of our province’s stimulus plan— not just for economics but also for preaching the gospel and serving in the name of Christ and the Church. The recipients express their deep thanks for providing the financial help to sustain these programs. As we all may surmise, the number needing soup kitchens and pantries has been increasing, and this was also reflected in the applications for 2009 as well. Thanks to the recipients who responded indicating how the grants were used. The Commission uses the following criteria: need, domestic, involvement of a member of the Province, report on how the funds were used.
|
