Lighting Fires

“What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.” St. Augustine

Are you tired of our thanks yet? To put our gratitude into perspective; I have heard of other conferences that are seriously struggling. Recently, an entire conference at a parish closed, the people they served no longer receive aid, because the last, lone Vincentian died. It’s an epidemic, the charitable few are candles, going out one by one. This didn’t happen over the last election cycle but has occurred over the last 80 years. Little by little those that would help felt their own finances tighten, their own opportunities begin to dwindle, fear crept into our hearts. We respond by closing our doors, shuttering our windows, to keep what heat and light our little candle can sustain for our own survival. The world darkens because of it. We have to step outside and relight those candles that have gone out, one by one. It is our duty as Catholics to head out into the night, to the places no one is willing to go, to find those lost in that frightful dark. Fear is the great lie. Through you, God is working to make our community a little brighter, one person at a time.

We wanted to take a moment and show you what an incredible and consistent difference you are making. Your ownership of the pantry is allowing for exponential growth in the conference. You are providing the matches to light others with the fire of faith. We’ve included pictures of the vestibule from last week and what that looked like unpacked in the Status of the Pantry section.

If you haven’t noticed the tree on your way in, the Adopt-a-Family tree is up, please take a look and see if you can help a family in need. We’ve already started getting mittens and hats donated for our work of mercy this month. If you would like to help keep families warm this winter drop these items in the vestibule, this clothing drive runs all month long.

Our Next Meeting is November 17th at 6:30 pm in the Church office building.

The conference will be making its inaugural run to Our Lady of the Road on Saturday, November 19th. If you are interested in partaking, please email tklosins@gmail.com. If you are unable to attend but would like to help supply ingredients for breakfasts, that would be a huge help as well.

Community Action: Our conference was asked to help supply beds for a local family and an elderly woman last week. We have acquired and delivered one with the others to follow shortly. We were also able to deliver 5 trash bags worth of work, dress, and lounge wear to the Catholic Worker Men’s house last week. Please keep the conference and those we serve in your prayers.