Walking with Christ

As we journey together through this Lenten season, we reflect and cherish the moments that have made us stronger. We find opportunities to evangelize and bring everyone closer to God, and at the heart of our ministry, Catholic Charities of Orange County continues to bring the community together. This original video series from 2023 is offered in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

NEW HOPE COUNSELING SERVICES AND CANTLAY FOOD DISTRIBUTION CENTER

This Lent we are highlighting CCOC New Hope Counseling Services and Cantlay Food Distribution Services. We need your support to continue our mission and we are reaching out to you on this occasion to ask you to meditate on the words of Saint John Paul II:

“…Open your minds to look around you, open your hearts to understand and sympathize, open your hands to help. The needs are vast, as you know…”

Lent is a time of truth, which, as in the case of the Good Samaritan, makes us pause, recognize our brothers and sisters, and put our time and possessions at their service in daily sharing. The Good Samaritan is the Church! The Good Samaritan is every man and woman! By calling! By duty! The Good Samaritan lives charity.

Saint Paul says: “So we are ambassadors for Christ” (2 Cor 5:20). It is here that our responsibility lies. We are sent to other people, to our brothers and sisters. Let us respond generously to the confidence that Christ thus places in us.

SAINT JOHN PAUL II

EASTER APPEAL

Together, Catholic Charities and you can help our neighbors – the hungry child, the veteran without a home, the senior in need. Give. Volunteer. Support.

ALMSGIVING

Charitable giving is an ancient practice that is customary in many cultures and religions. As Christians, we are called to follow in the example of Christ who showed great compassion to those on the fringes of society. Even if we do not see them, the poor have always been among us and so has the call to support them.
The Catechism states that charity is “the theological virtue by which we love God above all things for his own sake, and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God” (CCC, No. 1822).

More than simply giving money, almsgiving is an act of love that incorporates both prayer and fasting and manifests itself by caring for our neighbor in need. As we help our brothers and sisters who live in poverty, we become more connected to God and to one another.

During Lent, we are asked to focus more intently on almsgiving, which means donating money or goods to the poor and performing other acts of charity.

During Lent, almsgiving is a vital spiritual practice alongside prayer and fasting, symbolizing Christian generosity and compassion for others, demonstrating that serving God is also serving humanity. It’s a way to express gratitude, deepen our understanding of the poor, and strengthen our relationship with God and our community.

Give up a weekend or two during Lent to volunteer at Cantlay Food Distribution Center. It’s a great way to help people, and you’ll feel good getting to see your positive impact.

The Church teaches us that all people are made in the image of God and so possess equal and inherent dignity. Each person has a right to all they need to live their full potential as intended by God.

At the root of the practice of almsgiving is the principle that “everyone should look upon his neighbor (without any exception) as ‘another self,’ above all bearing in mind his life and the means necessary for living it with dignity” (CCC, No. 1931). This responsibility to care for our neighbors becomes even more important when it involves those who are disadvantaged (CCC, No. 1932).

By treating our neighbor as “another self” we are removing any human barriers that might separate us. God sees all men and women as his children, equal in his eyes, and therefore deserving of fair and just treatment. Almsgiving allows justice to flourish through simple acts of love and compassion.

Throughout the Old Testament, scripture has a lot to say about the righteousness of almsgiving, including the following:

“When someone is reduced to poverty, welcome them into your home” (Leviticus 25:35)
“Do not close your hand to someone in need” (Deuteronomy 15:7)
“A man who is righteous will be remembered forever” (Psalm 112:5-9)
“If you satisfy the afflicted, your light shall rise in the darkness” (Isaiah 58:10)

The importance of almsgiving is seen repeatedly throughout the New Testament. Some additional examples include:

“Give to those who ask, and do not turn your back on anyone who wants to borrow” (Matthew 5:42)
“Sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have a treasure in heaven” (Luke 18:22)
“If someone who has worldly means sees a brother in need and refuses him compassion, the love of God cannot remain in him” (1 John 3:17)
The scriptures show us that simple acts of kindness and selflessness are all that is required to make a meaningful difference in our lives and the lives of those around us.

Almsgiving as a Lenten Pillar:
Almsgiving, along with prayer and fasting, is one of the three pillars of Lenten practice, serving as a way to express compassion and generosity during the 40-day period leading up to Easter.
Meaning of Almsgiving:
Almsgiving involves donating money, goods, or time to those in need, demonstrating a commitment to serving others and reflecting the teachings of Jesus.
Beyond Material Giving:
While almsgiving can involve material donations, it also encompasses acts of service, volunteering, and simply being present for those in need, emphasizing the importance of reaching out to others with compassion.
Spiritual Benefits:
Practicing almsgiving during Lent helps Catholics detach from earthly possessions, focus on the needs of others, and deepen their relationship with God, fostering a spirit of generosity and service.
Examples of Almsgiving:
Catholics can engage in almsgiving by donating to charities, volunteering at soup kitchens or shelters, or simply offering a helping hand to those in need in their communities.
Stewardship:
Lent gives us the opportunity to cultivate a spirit of generosity. It gives us a chance to share what we have and who we are with other people. It puts us in communion with others and helps us understand that we are all members of the Body of Christ

EVERY FRIDAY AND MONDAY: