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December, 2008
From the Catholic Charities Executive Director. . .
In his recent letter, "Solidarity at a Time of Economic Crisis," Cardinal Francis George reminded us all that in difficult economic times "when so many are losing a sense of hope and security, there is one universal truth: we are all children of God." Now more than ever, these words strike at our heartstrings as Catholics concerned for our families, each other, and the poorest of the poor. We certainly find ourselves in a time of profound anxiety with regard to our national economy. All of us have been affected.
Just in the past six weeks at Catholic Charities, we have learned of city, county, state, and federal grants that have been postponed, cancelled or discontinued. We are already scrambling to make ends meet in 2009. And we will find a way to make ends meet - we always find a way. It seems we are surrounded by a roller coaster of bad news from day to day, week to week. However, even in troubling times there must be hope.
We see hope every day here at Catholic Charities. The power of faith and the miracle of the Holy Spirit make themselves visible to our human eye every single day in our work. We are continually inspired by the sheer will and perseverance of our clients, as well as by the heart and soul of our supporters and volunteers. We are continually moved to believe in the impossible by a faith that always keeps our legs firmly underneath us.
The message this month is a short and simple one: in the darkest times, hope always shines through. Our country and our economy will find a way. Our community will find a way. Catholic Charities will find a way. As Cardinal George's letter tells us, "together we can find courage, wisdom, and ways to build."
This Christmas, our prayer is a prayer for all of you who protect us, support us, and care for our work to serve the poor. As we enter this year's annual Catholic Charities Christmas Collection, we know there is always hope. Thanks to all of you for being that hope for us.
Merry Christmas and many prayers,
Rob
Rob McCann
Executive Director
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Designate your Christmas and year-end donations where they will have the greatest impact. Give your financial support to Catholic Charities Spokane. Gifts to our 15 programs stay in Eastern Washington and provide shelter, counseling, meals, childcare, and support services for the 50,000 people whose lives we will impact in 2009.
Independent charity assessor Charity Navigator gives Catholic Charities Spokane its highest rating of four stars for "accountability, transparency and quantifiable results." Fiscally separate from the Diocese, Catholic Charities Spokane serves all people based on need, not creed.
2008 Catholic Charities Christmas Collection Goal...$750,000
Every dollar given to Catholic Charities stays here in Eastern Washington - and is spent in a way that counts.
Make your secure online Christmas Collection donation today at:
www.catholiccharitiesspokane.org
or mail to:
Catholic Charities Spokane
P.O. Box 2253
Spokane, WA 99210-2253
Thank you!
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House of Charity
32 West Pacific
P.O. Box 2253
Spokane, WA 99201
509.624.7281
- December, 2008 -
A Lean, Rich Christmas
If you are reading or listening to the news, perhaps you've thought it doesn't look as if it is going to be a good Christmas this year. But I ask, how can it not be? The Christmas season, starting with Thanksgiving, is a great tradition of outreach and sharing--if not with gifts, then with the gatherings of family, friends, and worship to celebrate the birth of the Christ child for whom there was no room in the inn. While it seems inconceivable that anyone would find joy having to be born in a barn stable, I can't help but think that this would have made Jesus the hit of his childhood friends. How many boys could brag about being born among barn animals? This would undoubtedly have brought oohs and aahs, and "Dude!" from his friends.
How many children today will have such a thing to brag about as Jesus did? Will it be because they ate their Christmas meal at a church or a homeless shelter, or that they could only ask for one gift, or that they stayed at a shelter during the Christmas season? It is doubtful that kids staying at a shelter will be boasting about being poor or homeless this year, but hopefully they will years from now, and I believe they will if they were welcomed, respected, loved, and treated as if it was a big adventure in their life.
This forecast of recession has me, like a lot of people, feeling a little uneasy in my stomach, and I am not sure why. Things are not bad in our household, so is it our retirement funds? Right now those are just losses on paper. Is it the employment picture? I have a neighbor who is soon to be laid off.
With the downturn of the economy, I suspect that most of the poor and homeless population will fare okay, as they already come from a place of less. Our clients live in poverty every day. Having little or no money is normal. I worry most about how our people will respond to the feelings in the air. If our greater community is stressed, then the folks on the street can absorb these tensions. Will there be anxiety that leads to more drinking, more drug use, and more outbursts of frustration and emotional pain?
I am grateful for hope, which I have right now because at this time of year we have as many people asking to help as we have asking for assistance. I am also asking God for courage with which to face those who show up at our doorstep newly homeless or poor. I wish to face these people with hospitality, compassion, and kindness. I ask God to give us enduring courage and patience. Maybe we are all embarking on an adventure, being reborn in the stable, one of joy in living more with less. Thank you for your prayers and support and a Joyful Christmas to you all.
Ed McCarron
www.catholiccharitiesspokane.org | |
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Mark Your Calendar
December 3, 10, and 17
Childbirth Education Classes
Sponsored by the Childbirth and Parenting Alone (CAPA) Program, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m., St. Anne's Children and Family Center, 25 W. 5th Avenue, Spokane. Call 325-7667 to register.
December 10-13 & 15-20, 2008
Christmas Bureau
10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds Agricultural Building,
404 N. Havana. Christmas Bureau recipients are self-selected. All are welcome, and there are no income specifications. Each address is served one time. All adults served must bring photo ID and proof of address (medical coupons or current utility bill are best). Proof of dependents (all children 17 and under) is required. Medical coupons, a letter from their school, or a letter from a non-profit agency confirming the number and ages of dependents work best.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Spokane Multifaith AIDS CareTeams (SMACs) Volunteer Orientation and Training
9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Unity Church, 2900 S. Bernard, Spokane. $10, lunch included. RSVP to 358-4273.
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Senior Housing...
At A Glance
On Sunday, October 5, a Fall Fashion Event was held at Rockwood Lane. The manager of Talbot's and an employee came to run the fashion show. Attending residents were all escorted down the stairs in style by the son of one of the residents. Concurrently with the fashion show, a brunch was offered to introduce Mark Bennett, Rockwood Lane's new cook. The event was available to the public at a cost of $12 per ticket, and about $1000 was raised for the facility. Guests were invited to tour apartments and the grounds after the delicious brunch. Manager Jeannette McNally reports, "Many of our residents said it was a relaxing day; the meal was wonderful, and it was a great way to shop, as they were able to place orders right there for their fall wardrobes."
Four Rockwood Lane residents presented new fall fashions.
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Lots and Locks of Love
On October 19th, Moxie Salon and Spa offered free haircuts for the moms involved in the Doula project. Owner Lee Ann Ochsner donated the Salon space, and Stylists donated their time on their day off to do haircuts/shampoo/style, mini manicure and hand massage, and brow waxing. Each of the 15 moms present received about $100 in services. On a generous impulse, two of the moms decided to have a large amount of hair cut off and donated their ponytails to Locks of Love.
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Volunteer View
We Need You!
Interested in volunteering for Catholic Charities? Please contact Brigid Krause, Volunteer Services Manager, at 358-4270, bkrause@ccspokane.org or visit our website to learn more!
Babies at St. Anne's love rocking in the arms of Joan Gagliardi.
"Donna Hanson, a wonderful woman, motivated me to spend time at Catholic Charities," says Joan Gagliardi. Joan started her tenure at Catholic Charities as Donna's administrative assistant in the late '70s. After that, she worked with Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) for 12 years. Currently Joan volunteers at St. Anne's Children and Family Center, rocking babies for 3 hours every week. "I love it," she says with a smile. Additionally, Joan is on the board of the Catholic Charities Foundation and helped with fundraising for the new building. Last but not least, Joan and her husband Joe volunteer at the Christmas Bureau. Joan says she remains enthusiastic about Catholic Charities because it's "the very best social service agency in the Inland Northwest, given the variety and scope of its services." She also appreciates the organization's service to people of all faiths. Catholic Charities is blessed to have such a dedicated, multitalented, and long-term supporter.
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Catholic Charities asks for your support of the Christmas Collection during the holidays. However, for those wishing to give a Christmas gift to someone in need, please consider the items listed on our website. Please drop off your donations between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Each Catholic Charities program will be happy to provide a donation receipt.
Thank you!
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Catholic Charities Foundation
The IRA Charitable "Rollover" is a new giving opportunity with potential tax savings. If you are at least 70 1/2, new tax legislation allows you to give the Catholic Charities Foundation up to $100,000 directly from your IRA without triggering federal income taxes. The gift will also satisfy requirements for annual minimum distributions from your IRA.
Contact the Catholic Charities Foundation at 509-358-4255.
Leave Your Mark!
Anne Seguilia was born July 4, 1915, in Butte, Montana.
It snowed that day and her family put her in the oven to stay warm. After her father died, Anne, her mother, and her two sisters worked hard for their living. Anne was a survivor.
Anne trained as an executive secretary and retired from Kaiser Aluminum in the 1970s. Thanks to hard work, savings and practical living, Anne was able to be generous. Among her many gifts to St. Paschal Parish was the beautiful rose window in memory of her husbands, George Picolick and John Merrick.
Anne was devout and devoted to her church and its supporting organizations. When she died in 2006, Catholic Charities Spokane, with other Catholic entities, received generous bequests from the Anne R. Merrick Charitable Remainder Trust.
Anne Merrick's greatest gift was her example of living a good and joyous life.
Susan Lemay, a close family friend and caregiver, says, "Anne was a woman of courage, organized and meticulous about her appearance and her affairs. We called her 'elegant Anne.' She lived a good and caring life, was spunky and wise, always available to friends and neighbors. Anne never hesitated to say, 'I love you.' She was my mentor; she taught me how to live generously and die with dignity."
Anne Merrick's gift to Catholic Charities has been divided ... ½ to the Catholic Charities Foundation Endowment Fund and ½ to construction at the Catholic Charities Family Services Center.
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As we enter the Christmas season, we invite you to take this Christmas pledge
(by Jo Robinson & Jean Coppock Staeheli):
"Believing in the true spirit of Christmas, I commit myself to:
Remember those people who truly need my gifts,
Express my love in more direct ways than gifts,
Examine my holiday activities in the light of my deepest values,
Be a peacemaker within my circle of family and friends,
Rededicate myself to my spiritual growth."
 
The Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes will host a Las Posadas event at 7 p.m. on Friday, December 19th. All are invited to take part in this traditional Mexican celebration and re-enacting of Joseph & Mary's search for shelter, which we link today to the journey into the unknown made by so many immigrants around the world. Please join us as we pray together for immigrants and refugees. For more information, visit www.posadas-project.com. | |
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