FaithWorks September 2009 Issue
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September, 2009
For The Ages
From the Catholic Charities Spokane Executive Director...
When I look at my four year-old son, Timothy James, and my one year-old daughter, Teresa June, I can't help but think about what the world and the Church will be like for them when they are my age. I often wonder how "the next generation" will find themselves plugged into the life of the Church and the life of Catholic Charities. For several years now at Catholic Charities, we have spent countless hours talking about precisely that subject asking the question, "How do we get the next generation involved in the great work of Catholic Charities?"
The work of Catholic Charities is blessed by the incredible support of our volunteers, donors and friends. In many cases, this support comes from folks who have known and loved us for their entire lives and now have children and grandchildren of their own. As the "baby boomers" begin to enter their retirement years, we are extremely proud to have the support of so many wonderful advocates. These are the folks who have made the work of Catholic Charities possible for nearly 100 years.
Without a doubt, it is our sacred task and solemn duty to find creative and energetic ways to get the next generations passionate about serving the poor. I talk to so many of our donors who want to see their children and grandchildren more involved in Church life and Catholic Charities life. We have begun an intentional process of reaching out to these precise groups and have great plans for even more creativity in the future. Our recent Catholic Charities Gala saw an incredible mix of every age group, and, for the first time, we had our life long donors and friends dancing and sharing company with large numbers of twenty, thirty and forty year olds. It was an inspiring event to witness and, hopefully, a glimpse of the future we all yearn for.
Stewardship of Catholic Charities depends on all age demographics, and it is our intention to aggressively pursue connections and relationships with the entire spectrum. We will continue to work closely with the Catholic Schools to help connect our kids with the ideas of serving the weakest among us. We will also continue to find brave new ways to connect with younger faces and younger families. Sharing the mission of Catholic Charities through careful use of technology like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, our new Catholic Charities video, and yes, even the much-dreaded text messaging are all ways that we will reach out and engage folks from all age brackets.
Thanks to all of you who continue to be our life long friends here at Catholic Charities. Rest assured that our strategic plan includes a direct emphasis on making sure we win the hearts and minds of your children and grandchildren as well. Together, all of us, of all ages, are the future of serving those in need.
Many prayers,
Rob McCann
Executive Director
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At the HEART of giving 
MEET JESSE
Jesse Sheldon is on a mission! Through his Spokane Diaper Drive project, he wants to provide disposable diapers to members of our community in need. He hopes to collect enough diapers or donations to donate to local charities, homeless shelters for women and children and low income agencies serving families with small children. Lee Williams, the Director of St. Anne's Children and Family Center was thrilled when Jesse recently graced the center with a donation of over 3300 individual diapers and pull- ups from his first diaper drive. This young man has taken it upon himself to service a great need in this community. He is quiet and humble, only wishing to give service to others. A fine example of great stewardship! Thank you for sharing your generosity and gifts with Catholic Charities...we are truly blessed. For more information please go to www.spokanediaperdrive.com or email Jesse at Jessdiaperdrive@comcast.net.-----------------------------------------------
Dear CAPA, My name is Kylie Drynan. I attend Northwood Middle School and we just finished an important project; a life project. Each student chose a problem that they saw in their community and figured out a way to help it. I saw that not many people are aware of teen mothers and babies. They are also not aware of the results of young pregnancy. At my school, I collected money, baby clothes, baby supplies, and lotion, soap, make-up etc for the mothers. My mother Heidi Drynan dropped off the items that I collected about a week to two weeks ago. Jodi Orcutt would know about this. Enclosed is a check from my school with how much money I raised in week. I hope I have helped CAPA, mothers, and babies by this work. I talked to Jodie Orcutt and Stephanie Carlton about this. Jodie Orcutt can explain this if needed. You can also contact my school. The teacher in charge of this project is Dave Gamon. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Kylie Drynan
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 32 West Pacific
P.O. Box 2253
Spokane, WA 99202
509.624.7821
Coming and Going
John Semmens has a "girlfriend," or at least I thought so! John, a Carroll College graduate, spent this last year with us as a Jesuit Volunteer. Right now he is probably hiking in the Bob Marshall Wilderness before beginning law school. During his time with us, he could be found listening intently to concerns, stories, or issues here daily. His "girlfriend" is one of our patrons, Sharon, who is from Texas. She possesses that southern charm and is usually wearing a ball cap. She is also forty years his senior.
When Sharon realized that John was from Great Falls, she seemed sure that their relationship was cemented. She could often be found at the front desk where she could rest her arms, and talk with John while mentioning this person and that from Great Falls. John never seemed to know of any of them. She would time and again bring to him the same paperwork having to do with lawsuits or difficulties with the government. She was always reminding John, and the rest of us, that she would soon be leaving on the Greyhound to anywhere but here.
When I looked up Sharon's history with us, I saw that, even though she was forever talking about leaving Spokane, she always came back. I do marvel at how many of our older women are almost fearless about jumping on the bus and going to other cities and towns to partake in the same services we offer. God is surely watching over them.
A week after John left, on a Wednesday morning, there was a small outburst about something that was quickly resolved. Sharon was there as was I, and she turned towards me shaking her head saying, "That boy is crazy."
I wanted to agree with her, but thought best not to say so. I asked if she missed John? "John, John who?"
"John who used to work here," I said.
"Who is that?" Sharon said, looking at me as if I were half mad.
"John from Great Falls," I said. Now with a bit of a startle and a be-gone stare, Sharon threw her hand back at me and went back to the dining room. My heart sank, but I couldn't help but be amused. Over the past year, John probably gave more of his time to Sharon than he did anyone else. I guess just as John had moved on, so had Sharon...
Encounters like these bring joy to my job. I treasure my days off, but I love to come to work because of patrons like Sharon who are our Saints, and staff like John who make the Gospel come alive. How can I not want to come to work? God is present in so many obvious and wonderful moments down here. Thank you for your prayers and support for our Sharons and Johns.
Ed McCarron
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C.A.P.A.
CHILDBIRTH AND PARENTING ALONE
BY THE NUMBERS
from January through June 2009
237 families were provided
emergency diapers and clothing room services this year
967 people received emergency resource and referral information
19 single pregnant women received Childbirth Education classes
24 families have attended Playgroup
44 moms attended our Super Moms' support group
34 pregnant women or first time mothers were matched with Doula mentors
12 new Doulas were trained
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Volunteer View We need you!
Do you know of a teen or group of teens who would like to volunteer and gain valuable experience? If so, please direct them to our website at www.CatholicCharitiesSpokane.org
or contact Brigid Krause at bkrause@ccspokane.org, 358-4270. |
Partnering with Teens Benefits AllTeen volunteers are an incredible asset to Catholic Charities and our programs. Catholic school groups, church groups, teens collecting community service hours for school, and families with young teens are all included in this valued group. The results are positive and powerful. Our clients benefit greatly from being served by these compassionate, young and energetic folks. These teens benefit by learning the value of putting others needs before their own, all the while becoming more aware of the hardships people in their community endure. Here in the Catholic Charities volunteer office we have noticed an increase in teen volunteering. This interest may be attributed to that fact that many colleges ask about community service experience on their applications or that local high schools are also starting to include community service hours as a part of their graduation requirements. It could be that our President's "Call to Service" is inspiring teens and their parents to volunteer. With the increase in our teen volunteers, we have recently changed our policy to allow teens ages 16 and 17 to volunteer with a parental permission form. Teens, ages 15 and under, are welcome to volunteer, but must be accompanied by a supervisor. For those 18 and over, no permission is needed. We believe the world would be a better place if all teens were able to experience volunteer service and the great feeling of giving of oneself.
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September
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 11, 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:
With Congress back from the August recess, the Bishops are closely watching the health care reform debate. There has been some misinformation about the position of Catholic Charities USA in this debate. Please be assured that Catholic Charities USA stands with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Catholic Health Association in promoting the right of access to health care for all Americans with safeguards for conscience rights of providers and the continuation of long-standing federal policies that prevent government promotion or funding of abortion. Please contact your legislators to urge a solution that provides coverage for all while respecting the life and dignity of all. Learn more at www.usccb.org and at www.catholiccharitiesusa.org
Global Family Album: Our Global Family Album is a new feature on the Catholic Relief Services website ( www.crs.org/global-family) meant to offer brief prayers connected to the lives of people in a few of the 100 countries served by CRS. Please take a moment and learn more about the lifesaving work of the American Catholic community around the world.
Every Child Brings Us God's Smile.
All are invited to the first Celebrating and Honoring Life Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes at noon on Friday, October 2nd. This liturgy highlights the Respect Life educational and prayer materials produced each year at this time by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The theme of this year's packet is "Every Child Brings Us God's Smile." October is Respect Life month and the first Sunday of October is Respect Life Sunday.
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