Bulletin Column
for December 15, 2019 – ‘Tis the Season to Give!
In front
of many shopping malls and stores this time of year, you will see someone in a
red vest in front of a red kettle, ringing a bell. The Salvation Army comes out
in force, reminding us that “Need knows no season.”
But I
have always wondered – where does that money go? In fact, where does the money
go for all of those huge charities? I think it’s a valid question. The CEO of
United Way makes over $375,000; while the head of Catholic Relief Services
makes $469,000. The Salvation Army is actually a Protestant religion. Wounded
Warrior Project went through its own financial scandal. There are plenty of
good charities out there, but according to Charity Navigator (a website that
helps people filter the good from bad in charities), the average charity only uses 75 cents of each dollar you donate for
its good works – the other quarter goes to fundraising, salaries, and overhead.
I don’t
think that’s a particularly good percentage. But there are many other local charities that do incredible work
nearby, who I highly recommend and try to donate generously to them. Here are
eight amazing charities worth our time and money – some of which you may
already be familiar with!
Evangelization
Veritas Catholic Radio – about a year
ago, a Ridgefield husband and father left his Wall Street job because he felt
called to bring Catholic radio to Fairfield County. Three months ago, Veritas
Catholic Radio began broadcasting in Fairfield County! With eleven million
people in its broadcasting range (it can be heard all through Fairfield County,
Long Island, and Westchester County), the Gospel is heard round-the-clock on
1350AM (and soon on an FM station!). Their programming, from EWTN, is solidly
Catholic – and pretty soon, there will be some local shows as well, about the
Church in our diocese. The content can change lives as people sit in traffic on
I-95! I heartily support it, as it uses the media to bring the Good News right
into people’s radios!
Source of All Hope – one place that the
Gospel is needed is in the inner cities. Our country’s inner cities are filled
with drugs, homelessness, sin, and despair. Into that situation came a friend
of mine, Fr. James Boric, recently appointed as pastor of the Basilica of the
Assumption in one of the worst, most dangerous neighborhoods of Baltimore.
Baltimore already has the highest per-capita murder rate in the nation, and the
drug and poverty problem is so bad that some neighborhoods resemble third-world
countries. So Fr. Boric decided to start a missionary program to these
neighborhoods. He invited a couple young men to give him a year as urban
missionaries, where they would go out every day to the streets to minister to
the homeless. More than sharing food and socks with them, they share the
Gospel. Since its inception in 2018, lives are being transformed by these urban
missionaries who are completely dedicated to bringing Christ to the poor, the
drug-addicted, the homeless. Check it out at www.sourceofallhope.org – it’s
definitely worth a donation!
Pro-Life
Sisters of Life – we are so blessed in
our own hometown to have a religious congregation of sisters completely
dedicated to the protection of life! The Sisters of Life, founded in New York
in 1991, are completely dedicated to the sanctity of life, from conception
until natural death. They pray vigorously for life to be respected, they run
homes for unwed mothers and their children, they offer retreats for post-abortive
women and men. They do so much good – and they are so joyful in doing it!
Definitely a charity worth supporting.
Project Beloved – There are many crisis
pregnancy centers out there, but what about after the baby is born? What about
before pregnancy? Project Beloved is a truly pro-life medical clinic beginning
here in Stamford by two of our amazing parishioners, Tom and Noelle Amann. This
is a holistic clinic where they seek to provide womb-to-tomb care, guided by
the Catholic Faith and the Theology of the Body. They hope to open the clinic
in 2020. Check them out at www.projectbeloved.co
.
Helping the Poor
New Covenant Center – Probably all of us
are familiar with the New Covenant Center, one of the great Stamford landmarks.
It has been run by Catholic Charities since 1978, and is the only place in
Stamford where people can get a meal 365 days a year. Over 700,000 meals were
served last year alone. In addition, they offer a food pantry and other social
services.
Off the Streets – Deacon Mike Oles was
frustrated. The Bethel, CT resident had been working at a homeless shelter for
many years but wondered if something could be done to address the root cause of
homelessness. He decided to found an organization in Danbury to house the
homeless – and has been remarkably successful in doing so! Over the last ten
years, the organization has helped over 3500 people get off the streets and
into stable housing. It’s a completely volunteer-run organization, so 100% of
donations goes toward security deposits and furniture to help make a home for
the homeless. I have worked with them quite a bit in the past (Deacon Oles and
I were assigned together in Bethel) and it’s an amazing organization! Check it
out at www.offthestreetsnow.com .
Forming the Youth in the Faith
Camp Veritas – For several years we have
sent some of our young parishioners to this life-changing Catholic summer camp
in upstate New York. Over 1500 kids come every summer to their five weeks, and
it is as transformative as it is fun! It has the usual camp activities (sports,
rock climbing, hiking, boating, swimming, etc), but also includes daily Mass,
Adoration, spiritual talks from the Franciscan Friars and Sisters and diocesan
priests, daily Rosary. I have never seen anything more effective at helping
young people become disciples. Many have come back saying their life is
completely changed by the week-long immersion in their Catholic Faith. I highly
recommend contributing to this charity – and sending your kids if they’re in
middle or high school!
Cardinal Kung Academy – Started last
year by two of our parishioners, this classical Catholic high school forms
young people to be serious disciples through study of the Faith and the
classics of Western Civilization. Now in its second year, it has been a
wonderful addition to Stamford and there is a lot of positive buzz about the
school. I highly recommend it!
This
Advent season, if we are looking to be generous with our money, these are eight
local charities where our donations will make a tremendous impact. As they say,
“Think globally, act locally” – and give locally, too, because there are some
great things being done in Stamford to help the poor, further the pro-life
cause, form youth, and evangelize the city!
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