​Second collection helps continue service to those most in need

Second collection helps continue service to those most in need

This month I am happy to celebrate my second year with Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of San Antonio, Inc. My family and I marvel at how quickly the time has passed. I feel very blessed for the opportunity to lead this amazing agency and am hopeful my short time here has served to augment the solid, thoughtful and loving foundation established many years before my arrival.

In fact, Catholic Charities has been a part of this community since 1941 strictly adhering to the governing tenet of “providing selfless service under the sign of love.” As you can imagine this is no small endeavor. Not only are we charged with serving Bexar County, but we are also responsible for 18 other counties which comprise our archdiocese. The needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ are great. I am often humbled by the sheer number of individuals who arrive on our doorstep hungry, homeless, in need, at risk, desperate, alone and afraid.

Because of our steadfast commitment to the principles of Matthew 25: 35-36, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me,” we were able to serve over 143,000 by our 35 programs and services without regard to race, gender, creed, color or religious affiliation

This verse informs our every decision at Catholic Charities. However, the needs of the community cannot be met without your help.

This weekend I ask you to consider making a contribution to Catholic Charities through the second collection taking place at all Masses throughout the archdiocese. Your collective efforts will help us continue to serve those most in need. Your contributions will go directly towards effective implementation and distribution of the services we provide which fall under the following three major categories:family and children’s services, refugee and senior services and basic human services.

Your help allows us to provide for a young boy struggling greatly in our Afterschool and Summer Youth Program at Guadalupe Community Center (GCC). Because of the kindness of donors like you, his family, wrecked by a recent cancer diagnosis and subsequent homelessness, is now being provided basic human dignities like food, clothing and financial assistance.Because of you, a family in our Great Start Plus Program now has a solid foundation for positive child rearing practices, hopefully preventing future incidents of child abuse and neglect.

Refugees are offered a soft place to land in our great country because of your efforts. We were able to help resettle a large number of the over 800 refugee individuals who arrived in San Antonio last year, 20 percent of whom are school aged children. Your assistance helps us to provide each new family clothing, food, case management, American culture and law orientation, health screenings, interpretation and translation services and ESL classes.

Senior citizens are allowed the opportunity to continue serving their community through programs like Retired and Senior Volunteer Program and Foster Grandparent Program.I have had our volunteers tell me that these programs help “keep them feeling young” and give them a sense of relevancy and purpose.

The central hub of our human services programs could not function without your commitment. Guadalupe Community Center (GCC) has been a beacon of hope for this community since 1944.Donors allow us to provide basic human and social services to a large swath of the West Side by enhancing the community through culture and awareness and improving the quality of life for those in need.We are able to assist individuals and families through our Food Pantry, Clothing Closet, Emergency Financial Assistance, William N. Mullin Military Family Relief Program, After School and Summer Youth Program, Caritas Legal Services, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Community Voice Mail.

Once again, I humbly ask you to consider helping us sustain not only the initiatives I have mentioned here, but the many, other worthy services we offer through Catholic Charities by donating your treasure this weekend during second collection. Your donation goes directly to Catholic Charities and to making an impact in this community. Every little bit helps. If you are unable to offer a monetary donation, I ask you to pray for me, for the work I do, for the efforts of my staff, the commitment of our volunteers and the dedication of our board members. Thank you for your continued support of Catholic Charities.

J. Antonio Fernandez is president/CEO of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, Inc.