Nazareth Catholic Community
November 19, 2017 ~ 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time
World Day of the Poor 2017
Greetings Everyone,
Pope Francis has declared today, November 19th, the thirty-third Sunday of Ordinary time, the first annual “World Day of the Poor.” In highlighting his purpose for instituting the World Day of the Poor, Pope Francis says that: “We may think of the poor simply as the beneficiaries of our occasional volunteer work or of impromptu acts of generosity that appease our conscience. However good and useful such acts may be for making us sensitive to people’s needs and the injustices that are often their cause, they ought to lead to a true encounter with the poor and a sharing that becomes a way of life” (Message for the First World Day of the Poor, n. 3).
Pope Francis is calling for a radical response to the needs of the poor and marginalized in our world. He is calling for a deep solidarity with the poor and a culture of encounter which leads to sharing with those who no longer remain strangers but become a brother or sister who needs me. When this encounter happens, true evangelization takes place where there is giving and receiving in both directions. We become good news for the poor but the poor in turn evangelize us on how to eradicate the systems of injustice that discriminate and oppress people in our society.
In today’s Gospel, we hear the Parable of the Talents where we are reminded of our obligation to use our God -given talents in the service of others. This comes just a week before we hear the passage of the Judgment of the Nations in which we are told that our salvation is contingent upon feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, and visiting those who are sick or imprisoned. The message is clear: God has provided us with talents we must use, and our salvation depends on how we respond to human need. We live in a world where far too many people lack the basic necessities to live in a way that upholds their human dignity.
The vast majority of those who suffer in profound poverty do so through no fault of their own. They are often poor simply due to where they were born, and its associated lack of educational, vocational, and employment opportunities. With a lack of equity in our educational system, ever growing restrictions on migration and reduction of social services too many find themselves trapped in a web of poverty with little opportunity to escape.
Today, Pope Francis calls us to identify the systems that maintain inequality in our society and actively work to change the educational, economic and social structures that harm and oppress. How are you being invited to share your talents? How will you respond to the Pope's call?
Peace,
~ Jamie
HERE ARE 5 WAYS YOU CAN OBSERVE THE WORLD DAY OF THE POOR:
1. PRAY FOR THE POOR.
There are so many people who need our prayers. If you’re overwhelmed and not sure where to start, try praying with your newsfeed. As you see headlines about what’s happening around the world, pause and pray for the people affected by those stories.
2. PRACTICE THE CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY.
The Corporal Works of Mercy are drawn from Jesus’ life and teachings. They call us to: feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty,shelter the homeless, visit the sick and imprisoned, bury the dead and give alms to the poor. Pope Francis added a new work of
mercy: to care for God’s creation. The Corporal Works of Mercy offer a clear model and starting point for how to care for our neighbors in need.
3. MAKE CARING FOR THE POOR PART OF YOUR ROUTINE.
Do you buy coffee, chocolate or Christmas gifts? One way to support low -income workers around the world is by buying things you use on a regular basis from organizations that pay a fair wage. If you drink coffee or tea, look for a fair trade label, which means that the farmers who harvest the coffee or tea are paid fairly and work in safe conditions. As you begin your Christmas shopping, consider buying gifts from around the world that are produced and traded ethically.
4. LEARN ABOUT THE CAUSES OF POVERTY AND WORK TO CHANGE THEM.
There are many reasons why people around the world are trapped in poverty: lack of jobs, war and climate change that affects what farmers can grow are only a few examples. We can raise our voices together to ask our government to support policies that help address these causes of poverty.
5. SUPPORT THE CHURCH’S OUTREACH TO THE POOR.
Learn about local organizations you can volunteer at or help fund rise for. One way to care for the poor around the world is to support the work of Catholic Relief Services, the international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS is motivated by the example of Jesus Christ to assist poor and suffering
people in more than 100 countries. Learn more and get involved at https://www.crs.org
Are You Free on Wednesdays at 12:30? Come to Mass!
Nazareth College Catholic Community
Wednesday Mass: 12:30PM
Gluten free hosts available upon request.
For the Sacrament of Reconciliation, please e-mail one of our priests to schedule an appointment.
Jamie R. Fazio, M.Div., Catholic Chaplain, Office: GAC 160
The Nazareth College Catholic Community is part of the Nazareth Center for Spirituality. All are always welcome!
Email: jfazio1@naz.edu
Website: http://www.naz.edu/center-for-spirituality/catholic-community
Location: Linehan Chapel, East Avenue, Rochester, NY, United States
Phone: 585 389 2308
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/35057526410/
Twitter: @NazCatholic
Nazareth College Catholic Community Pastoral Team:
Taylor Santabarbara
Emma Clive
eclive6@naz.edu
Teresa Colosanti
tcolosa8@mail.naz.edu
Andrea Peters
apeters1@mail.naz.edu
Sr. Donna DelSanto, SSJ
ddelsanto@ssjrochester.org
Pope Franics
Follow on Instagram: @francisus
Jamie R. Fazio, M.Div.
Fr. Richard Briclker
Cassie Dupre
cdupre0@naz.edu
Fr. Robert Resier, SJ
rreiser@mcquaid.org
Fr. Matthew Temple, O.Carm.
Fr. Ed Salmon, SJ
esalmon@mcquaid.org