Catholic Charities to celebrate centennial Sept. 25-26;
parishes to highlight local social service ministries
Bishop Jaime Soto, in union with the bishops of the United States, has designated Sept. 26 as National Catholic Charities Sunday. Catholic Charities USA, the largest association of social service agencies in the nation, will celebrate its 100th anniversary on that date.
“This is an opportunity to highlight a proven track record of providing help and creating hope for the most vulnerable people on the margins of society, nationally through the 171 diocesan Catholic Charities agencies, and locally through the programs and services offered through Catholic Charities of Sacramento,” says Father Michael Kiernan, executive director of Catholic Charities of Sacramento and director of the diocese’s Office of Social Service Ministry.
On the weekend of Sept. 25-26, each parish in the diocese will have an opportunity to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Catholic Charities USA; honor the longstanding efforts of the organizations of Catholic Charities of Sacramento to serve thousands of people in need each year; and highlight local parish outreach and social service ministries.
Materials have been sent to parishes for their use in this celebration, including pre-printed bulletin flyers, announcements for use at Masses, prayers of the faithful and homily suggestions.
In the Diocese of Sacramento, Catholic Charities offers a large variety of services to people in need regardless of their religious, social or economic backgrounds through the programs of Northern Valley Catholic Social Service, Catholic Social Service of Solano County, Catholic Social Service of Sacramento, Centro Guadalupe and the Downtown Senior Outreach Program in Sacramento, Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services in Sacramento and Mother Teresa Maternity Home in Placerville.
In 2009 alone throughout the diocese, 35,000 individuals and families walked through the doors of Catholic Charities programs looking for help. More than 2,500 people generously provided more than 85,000 volunteer service hours in these programs and 270 dedicated staff gave those in need the chance to move beyond their suffering and dire circumstances.
For more information about National Catholic Charities Sunday, call the Office of Social Service Ministry at (916) 733-0253.
