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Summer, 2009
Time in a bottle...or in a wall
From the Catholic Charities Spokane Executive Director... Summer, 2009
When we dedicated and blessed the newly renovated Family Services Center in late May, we placed a time capsule behind the cornerstone. In the time capsule we put a copy of our 2008 Annual Report, photos and mementos representing each of our programs at Catholic Charities and a copy of this publication, faithWORKS. What is now firmly packed in mortar represents the waters this agency has forged in the last decade. Hopefully, when this building celebrates its 50th or 100th Birthday, they will open up the time capsule and enjoy a walk through the past, perhaps adding a few items from 2059 or 2109. Who knows, by then maybe adding a hologram of some sort!
The items we placed in the time capsule remind us of the true permanency of Catholic Charities, both in the lives of the people we serve and the work that we do. We have been around for 98 years in Eastern Washington and have always found ourselves knee deep in the middle of servicing the needs that this community has faced. In some respects, the history and permanency of Catholic Charities is itself a profound gift to those in need. Each day we see people in crisis and in pain. We become the rock on which these folks gain stability and hope. We become the stable and sometimes permanent fixture in their lives that they grasp; slowly but surely we start to pull them back to safety from the turbulent seas they are caught in.
The economy continues to be challenged, and our own public grants and private donations have decreased by over $250,000 from just January to May of this year. Indeed, the turbulent seas seem higher than ever for us at Catholic Charities. We continue to have faith and always will, even when forced to painfully reduce staff and services, as was necessary this year. As the time capsule reminds us, the good news is in the work we do each day, and in the exciting new opportunities we have embraced with sheer will; despite finding ourselves in difficult times.
As Tim Welsh President of Garco Construction and long time Guardian Angel and Builder for Catholic Charities placed the time capsule behind that cornerstone, I found myself wondering how important the years between now and when next that capsule is opened will be. So many things will have changed in our world and in our lives. So many generations will have come and gone. However, what will still be constant....what will still be permanent... is the work of Catholic Charities, the social outreach arm of our Catholic faith. There is a sense of solace for me in knowing that our incredible work and this great agency will still be creating miracles in people's lives well after I am gone.
More importantly, I feel a deep sense of gratitude towards all of you, our supporters, friends and volunteers for making that permanency possible, and for helping us bring our mission to fruition. Each of you owns a piece of the permanency that is in our cornerstone time capsule, and 50,000 people in need each year get pulled into our safety boats thanks to your presence with us.
Many prayers,
Rob McCann
Executive Director | |
Donna Hanson Memorial Atrium
Blessing and Dedication
Friends of Catholic Charities gathered on May 26, 2009 to dedicate the Donna Hanson Memorial Atrium, named in honor of Donna M. Hanson, former Catholic Charities Director who died September 23, 2005. Honored guests were her husband Bob Hanson, David, Tonya and Joan Hanson, Diane MacDonald, Sandi Hanson and Dick Hanson.
Monsignor Frank Bach, Donna's former boss, colleague and friend, led the blessing, and Mary Ann Heskett, Catholic Charities Foundation Director and long time friend of Donna, gave a wonderful tribute and thanked all who had contributed to the beautiful space.
The atrium features a two-story etched-glass cross and four copper enameled murals depicting the Hanson family, House of Charity, St. Margaret's Shelter, and St. Anne's Children and Family Center designed by Spokane artist Ken Spiering
Bob Hanson with guests at the Dedication
Open House Dedication
Wednesday, May 27th marked the Open House Dedication of the newly renovated Catholic Charities Family Services Center. Rob McCann, Executive Director, led the dedication by thanking some of the true "Giants" who made the Catholic Charities Family Services Center a reality.
Highlights included the placement of a time capsule behind the cornerstone to signify the history of Catholic Charities Spokane. Bishop Skylstad spoke in his blessing and remarks of the important and vital work Catholic Charities provides to the most vulnerable in our community. Representatives from each of the 15 programs performed the ceremonial ribbon cutting allowing the crowd to enter the Center. Refreshments were offered in the Donna Hanson Atrium; the Sewing Ladies had their beautiful quilts for sale, and tours were given throughout the day by staff and directors.
Thank you to all who
attended our Open House Dedication!
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At A Glance: Loreen McFaul
After 6 years as Director of Development for Catholic Charities Spokane and more recently as the Marketing/PR Director for the past year, Loreen McFaul, has decided to leave her role to join the ranks of our all-star volunteers and supporters. Loreen was instrumental in the campaign to build St. Anne's Children and Family Center and was truly dedicated to sharing the story of Catholic Charities through her work on the yearly Christmas Collection and production of the Annual Report. Loreen's work with the agency truly modernized the Development Department. She created this faithWORKS publication and brought to fruition a long time goal of creating a video that embodies the mission of this organization. The video debuted at the first Annual Catholic Charities Gala in May. She will be dearly missed by all, but certainly not forgotten as she plans to stay closely connected to the mission and values of Catholic Charities. Best of luck Loreen!
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Angels Among us...For the past two years, the CFO of FLSmidth RAHCO Inc. has asked his 102 employees to donate one work day a year in the form of volunteer community service as a way of giving back to the Spokane community. Employees are paired with various local non-profits where they spend their workday volunteering. Our own St. Margaret's Shelter was recently the beneficiary of this giving program. Not only did a group of volunteers offer to help assemble a playground structure for the shelter, but, when the funding fell through, the company donated the money to purchase the playground structure as well. As an added bonus, the playground equipment came with a discounted price from Habitat for Humanity. Only a third of the group of employee volunteers were needed to build the structure so the remainder of the group volunteered at the St. Margaret's Shelter community garden in Vinegar Flats. The project was a win-win for all. FLSmidth RAHCO Projects Coordinator, Patricia Lines suggested, "Everyone loves to get out of the office for the day, and they most certainly get personal satisfaction knowing they are giving back to the community." St. Margaret's Shelter is truly grateful for this company's gifts of time, talent and treasure. The shelter's children will benefit from their generosity for many years to come! ..
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Volunteer View
We need you!
If you or your company would like to volunteer time and talent, please contact Brigid Krause at 358-4270 for more information or visit our website at www.CatholicCharitiesSpokane.org. |
St. Anne's
Children & Family Center
BY THE NUMBERS
Numbers by the day:
174 children served
48 Working Connections Childcare children served
18 employees with college degrees
Numbers by the month:
18 field trips
3,588 books read to children
345 buggy rides
12,528 meals and snacks served
1,152 bottles given to babies
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 32 West Pacific
P.O. Box 2253
Spokane, WA 99202
509.624.7821
An Education
"Humanists try to behave decently and honorably without any expectation of rewards or punishment... We serve as well as we can the highest abstraction of which we have some understanding, which is our community."
- Kurt Vonnegut
I consider myself lucky. I think all who have the opportunity to work, volunteer, or pass through the House of Charity are fortunate to have done so. No doubt, if you have spent any amount of time at the House of Charity, you know what I mean. I am in a unique position as an AmeriCorps Volunteer at the House of Charity. I spend my days in an interactive classroom. The classroom is not a traditional setting and the "teachers" change regularly. The lessons may not be academic in nature, but they are sure to carry into every aspect of my life and how I live it.
Just last week, I was a struck by a lesson at the House of Charity. This particular "teacher" is often unaware of his own volume and has a general disregard for personal space. In the midst of a discombobulated rant he said something so clear. He said, "Life is simple, it's about our relationships with others." This straightforward statement was a reminder to me to be mindful and intentional about time spent with our clients, as well as time spent with co-workers, friends, and loved ones. It is easy to get caught up in menial tasks and a never-ending to-do list, but in the end, what needs to get done will get done. Letting ourselves be present is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves and those with whom our time is spent, whether it is at work, home, or in the community.
At the House of Charity, we are more than the services we provide. We offer a place to be in community for those experiencing homelessness for the first time; the chronically homeless, mentally ill, and those who suffer from chemical dependencies; the ones who are often overlooked and ignored. The House of Charity is vital in filling this need in Spokane. My time spent here has taught me lessons in patience, understanding, and the ability to extend my community to all types of people, recognizing that we are all in this together.
After completing two years as an AmeriCorps Volunteer, I am headed back to school to pursue a Master's degree in Social Work at Portland State University. I know that I will carry the lessons learned from the staff, volunteers, and patrons of the House of Charity wherever I go.
Kendra Powell
AmeriCorps Volunteer
Portland, OR
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September
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Catholic Charities Volunteer Information Session
11:45 a.m.-1 p.m., Catholic Charities Family Services Center, 12 E. 5th Avenue, Spokane.
Lunch provided. RSVP to 358-4270. Learn how to get involved and help others in need.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Caring for Kids Luncheon  In support of Spokane's children served by St. Anne's Children and Family Center and Morning Star Boys' Ranch. 11:30 a.m.-1p.m., Spokane Convention Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd., Spokane. Guest speaker: Fr. Larry Snyder, President, Catholic Charities USA. Tickets $100/person. RSVP to Theresa at 358-4254 or online at www.catholiccharitiesspokane.org. Thursday, September 24, 2009
Good Works in Action Tour
Get to know the programs of Catholic Charities by touring the House of Charity, St. Margaret's Shelter, St. Anne's Children and Catholic Charities Family Center. 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m., RSVP to 358-4250. October
Sunday, October 12, 2009
Poor Man's Meal
10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., House of Charity,
32 West Pacific, Spokane. Lunch & tours provided. $10.00 donation. RSVP to Theresa at 358-4254 or online at
www.CatholicCharitiesSpokane.org
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Advocacy Hot Spot:
The summer focus is on the chance for peace in the Holy Land. This is the primary international policy issue of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and they urge us to contact both our Congressional delegation and the White House to press for "a clear framework for an end to the conflict, help Israelis and Palestinians make the difficult decisions necessary to achieve lasting peace, and hold both parties to account when they fail to honor their commitments." You can learn more at www.actioncenter.crs.org and at Churches for Middle East Peace, or www.cmep.org.
"Into each of our lives Jesus comes as the bread of life - to be eaten and consumed by us.
Then he comes as the hungry one, the other, hoping to be fed with the bread of our life, our hearts loving, and our hands serving."
- Blessed Teresa of Calcutta
We congratulate the recipients of this year's Operation Rice Bowl small grant program, funded by a portion of your contributions to Catholic Relief Services' Lenten Operation Rice Bowl program. Awardees meet Operation Rice Bowl's focus on hunger and nutrition and remind us that there are hungry people in our own communities as well as around the world. Our grantees this year are: Holy Family Parish in Clarkston, the COVE in Twisp, the Greenhouse in Deer Park, Helpline in Walla Walla, the Loon Lake Food Pantry, North County Food Bank in Elk, the People's Pantry in Republic, the Ritzville Food Bank, Spokane Valley Partners' Food Bank, the Tonasket Food Bank, the Spokane AIDS Network, the Hunters Food Bank, Project HOPE in the West Central Neighborhood, the Women's & Children's Free Restaurant, and St. Margaret's Shelter for their garden project.
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