OFFICE FOR SOCIAL MINISTRY “Our life becomes beautiful when we await for a dear one or someone important. May this Advent help us transform our hope into the certainty that He whom we await loves us and will never abandon us.” (Pope Francis, Nov. 27, 2021, Twitter post) Since the beginning of his papacy, Pope […]
Talk story: Support the Campaign for Human Development
OFFICE FOR SOCIAL MINISTRY “I strongly encourage all to give generously to this CCHD collection as a way that members of the Catholic Church can proclaim the living Jesus Christ to the world and participate in building God’s Kingdom.” – Bishop Larry Silva, November 2021 Campaign for Human Development letter to the diocese This year […]
Talk story: So many in need of healing
OFFICE FOR SOCIAL MINISTRY “Christ took all human suffering on himself; even mental illness, whoever suffers from mental illness ‘always’ bears God’s image and likeness in himself, mental illness does not create insurmountable distances.” (St. John Paul II, 1996) As communities struggle with the physical, emotional and financial challenges of this pandemic, many also face […]
Talk story: Welcomed, protected, promoted, integrated
OFFICE FOR SOCIAL MINISTRY “The Church is called to go out into the streets of every existential periphery to heal wounds and to seek out the suffering, without prejudice or fear, but ready to widen her tent to embrace everyone. Among those dwelling in those existential peripheries, we find many migrants and refugees, displaced persons […]
Talk story: An extraordinary moment of prayer
OFFICE FOR SOCIAL MINISTRY “We have an anchor: By his cross we have been saved. We have a rudder: By his cross we have been redeemed. We have a hope: By his cross we have been healed and embraced so that nothing and no one can separate us.” (Pope Francis, March 27, 2020, in St. […]
Talk story: Overcoming malnutrition and hunger
OFFICE FOR SOCIAL MINISTRY “Along with vaccines, fraternity and hope are the medicine we need in today’s world.” (Pope Francis) Pope Francis has long advocated for health as a basic human right and for universal access to basic healthcare, especially for the most vulnerable. This Lenten season, he has underscored this point with his “Fratelli […]
Talk Story: New approaches to traditional practices
OFFICE FOR SOCIAL MINISTRY “Every moment of our lives is a time for believing, hoping and loving. The call to experience Lent as a journey of conversion, prayer and sharing of our goods, helps us to revive the faith that comes from the living Christ, the hope inspired by the breath of the Holy Spirit […]
Talk story: Listening with an open heart
OFFICE FOR SOCIAL MINISTRY “Fraternity means to lend a helping hand. Fraternity means respect, listening with an open heart…It is the challenge of our times.” (Pope Francis, Feb. 4, First International Day of Human Fraternity) While many might argue that the COVID-19 pandemic is the most profound challenge in the world today, Pope Francis contends […]
Talk story: A culture of care as a path to peace
OFFICE FOR SOCIAL MINISTRY “We should always look to Our Lady, Star of the Sea and Mother of Hope. May we work together to advance toward a new horizon of love and peace, of fraternity and solidarity, of mutual support and acceptance.” Pope Francis, World Day of Peace Message, Jan. 1, 2021, “A Culture of […]
Talk story: This Christmas, be a gift to another
OFFICE FOR SOCIAL MINISTRY “The reason we have gifts is so that we can be gifts for others.” (Pope Francis, World Day of the Poor message, November 2020 Gift-giving is a longstanding tradition during the holidays, often portrayed through big red bows, shiny wrapped boxes and the latest and greatest electronic gadgets. But Christmas means […]
