Pope Francis leads his general audience in the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican Aug. 5. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
OFFICE FOR SOCIAL MINISTRY
“As disciples of the Lord Jesus, who is the physician of our souls and bodies, we are called to continue his work, work of healing and salvation in a physical, social and spiritual sense.”(Pope Francis’ general audience “Catechesis: To Heal the World” Aug. 5, 2020)
In his Aug. 5 general audience message, our Holy Father spoke about addressing the present pandemic’s darkness in the light of the Gospel which shows all how to heal the world: “The pandemic continues to cause deep wounds, exposing our vulnerability … Renewed contact with the Gospel of faith, of hope and of love invites us to assume a creative and renewed spirit. In this way, we will be able to transform the roots of our physical, spiritual and social infirmities and the destructive practices that separate us from each other, threatening the human family and our planet.”
The pope invites all “to tackle together the pressing questions that the pandemic has brought to the fore, social ills above all … in the light of the Gospel, of the theological virtues and of the principles of the church’s social doctrine.”
By drawing from Catholic principles such as the dignity of the human person, the common good, the preferential option for the poor, the universal destination of goods, solidarity, subsidiarity and the care for our common home, Pope Francis invites us all “to explore together how our Catholic social tradition can help the human family heal this world that suffers from serious illnesses. It is my desire that everyone reflects and works together, as followers of Jesus who heals, to construct a better world, full of hope for future generations.”
This papal catechesis challenges us to ask ourselves, “How can we help heal our world?” Here in Hawaii, the Oahu Going Home Consortium (OGHC), comprised of volunteers from parishes, non-profit organizations and government agencies, is helping heal a hurt made worse by the pandemic. Recently, the Women Community Correctional Center (WCCC) canceled all in-person visits until further notice. Many in our community are facing severe challenges because of COVID-19, but it is especially difficult for children of incarcerated mothers.
The consortium has been instrumental in holding annual festive events reuniting moms in prison with their keiki and caregivers. The popular diocese-sponsored Christmas event “Star Light Star Bright” for 20 years has been a source of support for vulnerable families coping with incarceration. The “Sun Light Sun Bright” summer event at WCCC has brought much comfort and joy to the inmates and their families.
Unfortunately, these two events will not take place this year. In their place, the OGHC is organizing two sets of gift care-packages for children and caregivers from Kauai, Maui, Molokai, Oahu and Hawaii to go out in September and December. The OGHC calls these healing efforts “Sun Light Sun Bright in a Bag” and “Sending Love from Star Light Star Bright.” The consortium is collecting support for at-home and in-school learning for children through gift cards to their caregivers.
To help heal the hurt in these families by embodying the values of faith, hope and love, and supporting the dignity of all human persons, please go to our website, officeforsocialministry.org/sunlight-starlight-2020, or visit catholichawaii.org/starlight. These sites have several pages on how you can be part of the healing process here in Hawaii during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Together, “as disciples of the Lord Jesus” we can continue his “work of healing and salvation in a physical, social and spiritual sense.”
To read the full text of the Pope Francis’ “Catechesis: To Heal the World,” please visit the Vatican website: w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/events/event.dir.html/content/vaticanevents/en/2020/8/5/udienzagenerale.html
Mahalo,
Your friends at the Office for Social Ministry
