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It Only Takes A Moment

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It’s easy to think, sometimes, that our lives are on a steady and pretty much predictable—even boring—course. That the days are standard-issue: we get out of bed, do our morning routines, go to work, see the same people, come home again. Our lives are punctuated by events—birthdays, moments of career advancement, new relationships, even expected deaths—that are themselves as routine as the contexts in which they nest. We even complain, sometimes, at how unexciting things can seem to be.

And then in a single searing moment that all changes.

I’ve been reminded of that lately when considering the news. Mass shootings at nightclubs, at places of worship, at a yoga studio: normal people living out normal lives that are unexpectedly and forever altered, shattered, even ended. Wildfires in California wiping out entire neighborhoods. The most active and powerful hurricane season ever in both the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans.

And it only takes a moment, a second even, for everything to change—forever. Life is inalterably different. Whether it’s a road accident, a shooting, a sudden storm, a wildfire, you find yourself wanting to go back in time, take a different route to the grocery store, decide to not go dancing that evening after all, call in sick to work. How many times have you wished for a do-over, from the simplest of difficulties like biting down on the peanut that chipped your tooth, to the most horrible of scenarios, like the moment you found out your nephew overdosed and died? If I could just go back five minutes….

One of the hallmarks of life is it unpredictability, and part of that deal is we have to behave and think and do as if it weren’t going to happen—because no one can live in constant fear of what “might” be. We all have to get on with our lives; the rest is up to God. That’s what Luke is talking about in today’s Gospel reading. “As it was in the days of Noah,” Jesus says, “so it will be in the days of the Son of Man; they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage up to the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Similarly, as it was in the days of Lot: they were eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, building; on the day when Lot left Sodom, fire and brimstone rained from the sky to destroy them all.”

That’s a pretty bleak picture, isn’t it? Everything was just fine… until it wasn’t. Eating and drinking, marrying, going about one’s usual everyday activities with no notion that it was all about to end. It’s a little like watching a horror film you’ve seen before: you’re willing the actor to not open that door, because you know what’s behind it.

But it’s not the same as the door in a horror film, is it? Because the second part of the passage tells us that there’s something far more important than the lives we’ve grown so attached to. When Jesus returns, it will be with that same suddenness. You won’t have time to go and pack a bag, or call a friend or relative: it will happen in an instant.

And that’s the real message: knowing as we do that anything can happen at any time—including the return of Christ—we need to be prepared. We might not be able to pack our clothing up, but there are things we can do to be ready. Is there someone you need to apologize to? Do it now; don’t wait. Does someone need to know you love them? Tell them now. Are you feeling angry about something that happened a long time ago? Let it go now.

And do the things that are what will help you be ready for whatever lies ahead. Pray. Go to Mass and confession. Read scripture. Follow the Gospel edicts and take care of the poor, the lonely, the hungry. Do all the things you keep telling yourself that you’ll get to eventually but never really seem to manage.

Because if the current news and the Gospel have one thing in common, it’s this: do it now. You may not be the person who decides at what point you won’t be able to do—or say—whatever you feel is unfinished. Accepting and living that acceptance is the best way to keep regret away and be as ready as possible for whatever the future holds.

Jeannette de Beauvoir works in the digital department of Pauline Books & Media as marketing copywriter and editor. A graduate of Yale Divinity School, where she studied with Adian Kavanagh, OSB, she is particularly interested in liturgics and Church history.

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The Hidden Kingdom

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The question asked by the Pharisees is one that is running like static electricity throughout the Hebrew world: When will the Kingdom of God come? For thousands of years, they have been waiting for the Messiah, as they grew into a Tribe and a People, enslaved in Egypt, wandering in the desert, fighting for the Promised Land, building a Temple, succumbing to idolatry, exiled in Babylon, and now oppressed by the Romans, with whom they have established a somewhat comfortable but ever-uncertain freedom to live and worship according to the Law.

Expectation and rumor have filled the air for several decades, suggesting that the Messiah would come soon to free them from the enslavement of worldly powers and restore a visible political Kingdom on earth. This is what the Pharisees are looking for: political and cultural independence, international influence, a renewed social superiority, a theocracy even. Jesus knows that what they really want is the glorification and prolonging of their own kingdom, not the dawning of a new and heavenly Kingdom.

Jesus, as he often does, answers the question in a way that refocuses the perspective of the asker: the Kingdom cannot be seen, cannot be announced on a certain date, cannot be limited to one geopolitical territory even if it is the Promised Land. It is already here, among and within you; wherever Jesus is accepted, believed in, and obeyed, he is reigning already. The Kingdom IS Christ. He is standing among them, unrecognized. And then, in the next breath, Jesus warns against running after false Messiahs. The Savior is as bright and unpredictable as lightning flashing across the sky. It is for us to be still and know him in the silence of our hearts, to allow him to reign within us and work through us to extend his glorious, eternal Kingdom.

The glory, universality, and eternity of this Kingdom are hidden. The joy and love and peace of this Kingdom should radiate through the words, actions, and hearts of its citizens. As members of this Kingdom of Love, under the reign of the Prince of Peace, the light of Christ should shine through us, drawing all into the joy of the Lord.

A smile. An act of true kindness. A heartfelt prayer. A word of gratitude. These things spring from deep within our hearts, when they are ablaze with the Fire of the Spirit of Jesus, and the sparks can ignite dry bones and papery hearts with new life. Let’s act from the fires within and be generous with these gifts, so that, as St. Catherine of Siena said, we will set the world on fire.

Kathryn is married to Robert, mother of seven, grandmother to two, and a lay Carmelite. She has worked as a teacher, headmistress, catechist, Pastoral Associate, and DRE, and also as a writer and voice talent for Holy Family Radio. Currently, she serves the Church as a writer and presenter, and by collaborating with the diocesan Office of Faith Formation, individual parishes, and Catholic ministries to lead others to encounter Christ and engage their faith. Learn more at www.kathryntherese.com or on Facebook @summapax.

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Heart Of Gratitude

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How does one have a heart of gratitude during the rise of a “Me” culture? This individualism and quest for entitlement has allowed whole generations to believe that they are owed everything and need to earn nothing.

Yet, it has been the case since our first parents. Adam and Eve fell because of this exact mentality that plagues our culture today.

One of today’s main characters in our gospel is a man with a heart of gratitude. He was one of ten leapers, and St. Luke makes a point to tell us that he was a Samaritan. According to Catholic Answers, they were a mixed race of pagan and Jewish ancestry who worshiped the same God of Israel but were looked down upon by the Jews of the New Testament because of their roots.

While traveling, Jews would often go around the land of Samaria in order to avoid contaminating themselves. Notably, the Samaritans also felt a distaste for the Jews, especially by worshipping at a different temple and only accepting the first five books of the Old Testament as canonical.

Yet in faith, this Samaritan calls out to Jesus with his fellow leapers in faith, after hearing about Jesus’ works and believing. His faith surpasses those of his brothers because of his heart of gratitude. He leaves his brother leapers and falls on Jesus’ feet in thanksgiving. Gratitude is a product of faith.

Let us ask the Lord for a heart of gratitude that mirrors the healed Samaritan leper. Make a point to exercise a heart of gratitude in little ways, whether it be intentionally thanking the cashier at the store or telling your family how grateful you are that they are a part of your life.

Then, when the Lord looks upon us in his mercy as he did this Samaritan leaper, we are better able to recognize it and return to him, “glorifying God in a loud voice” and with a heart of gratitude.

Hannah Crites is a native to Denver Colorado and graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville. She has written for numerous publications and blogs including the Chastity Project, Washington Times, Faith & Culture: The Journal of the Augustine Institute, and Franciscan Magazine. She is currently working in content and digital marketing for a small web development and digital marketing agency. Connect with her through Twitter (@hannah_crites) and Facebook. Check out more of what she has written here.

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What Do We Say?

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“Thank you.”

Of the many habits my parents have helped form in me (brushing my teeth before and after the day, scraping my plate before loading it into the dishwasher, making my bed (which I still have to improve), expressing gratitude is one I believe to be the most empowering because it is the perfect response to a person being generous towards me.

It’s possible that the Samaritan wasn’t trained in promptly writing thank-you cards like I was, but he responds quintessentially to the generosity of Christ’s healing and mercy.

“Thank you.”

 It can be easy to simply say the words as a mechanical, scripted response… And sometimes, that’s appropriate. It might be off-putting to perform a song and dance for a Starbucks barista when he makes your vanilla caramel toffee nut espresso iced latte… or maybe song and dance is the only way to respond to a vanilla caramel toffee nut espresso iced latte.

Hm.

However good your coffee, large lotto ticket earnings, or extravagant trip to the Caribbean Islands may be, none are even a glimpse of the sweet splendor that Christ gifts to us: His love, eternal paradise and an invitation to partake in the divine life.

“To be a saint is to be motivated by gratitude.”

(Ronald Rolheiser, Our One Great Act of Fidelity 104)

 To be a saint is to receive Christ’s magnanimous love and to respond with every word we speak and every action we take in the only way appropriate.

What do we say?

Thank you.

During the week, Matthew Juliano is a mentor for individuals who have developmental and intellectual disabilities. He has started a Youtube Series that explains and raises awareness about the work he does, which can be found HERE. On the weekends, he is a drummer for Full Armor Band. You can find more content by Matt and his band at www.fullarmorband.com.

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A Perfect Paradise

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“Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the one through whom they occur.

Can you imagine a paradise where there is no sin, no hate, no war, no suffering of any kind? It has been written about in books and poems, movies have been made about it, many men and women have spent restless nights under the stars dreaming of the very place. A utopia like this is what we all desire because we were made for it.

Journey back with me to the beginning. Imagine the state of Adam and Eve in the garden, complete love of God and each other. They had no sin and did not use the other, but only had room for love. They had no concept even of what sin was. Perfection! Sounds great right?

Well then, something happened that changed the course of history. Adam and Eve fell. They sinned against an eternal God. And the only thing that could save all of humanity is if that same eternal God became one of us and made the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. And that is precisely what Jesus did on the cross.

But the beautiful thing is that Christ’s sacrifice on the cross does not take us back to the beginning, it takes us beyond. In the garden, Adam and Eve did not experience the beatific vision, that is, they did not “see” God. They did not perfectly participate in His divinity. This is a state that is reserved for us now because God became a man. This is why the Catechism says that “God became man so that man might become God.”

This is our destiny. This should give us immense hope. So if you are still dreaming or writing about that Utopia, take faith in the fact that this is our destiny, to be happy with God forever, and that truly is good news. From all of us here at Diocesan, God Bless!

Tommy Shultz is a Solutions Evangelist for Diocesan. In that role, he is committed to coaching parishes and dioceses on authentic and effective Catholic communication. Tommy has a heart and a flair for inspiring people to live their faith every day. He has worked in various youth ministry, adult ministry, and diocesan roles. He has been a featured speaker at retreats and events across the country. His mission and drive have been especially inspired by St. John Paul II’s teachings. Tommy is blessed to be able to learn from the numerous parishes he visits and pass that experience on in his presentations. Contact him at tshultz@diocesan.com.

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Be Not Afraid

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Have you ever been at the rock bottom, feeling like you are falling into a pit of despair and hopelessness? This could come from many things; problems with family, work, friends, or health. There are many things in this world that make us feel like we are drowning.

The woman in the first reading today can relate. Here we have a prophet begging her for food and water as she knows full well that her next meal will be her last. She has already prepared for the death of her and her son after they run out of flour and oil. Mixed with this turmoil and fear she was either racked with a distrust of God or the feeling that perhaps this was the Lord’s plan for her and she had come to accept it.

Either way, she had lost hope, and was already preparing for something that she did not know for sure would happen. I am reminded of the movie, “The Mist.” In this film, the main character gives up all hope and thinks he knows what is going to happen to the group of people that he befriends. He makes a decision that results in the deaths of all those present and just as it looks like the creatures are going to take him too, the clouds part and the army comes in and saves him.

The point here is that we have two scenarios where the subject of the story acts as if they have certainty about the future, but it turns out they have no idea what God has planned. The woman with little flour prepares for her death and is then saved. The man in the movie prepares for his death as well and is saved at the last second.

Wrought with heartache and suffering, I think our first response is to give in to doubt and fear and then make decisions based entirely on this fear. But the scriptures today are very clear, “Do not be afraid.” God knows our suffering and our hurt. He is there with us.

Ok stop for a second, you have heard it before, God is with us. Have you let it sink in? Here is the reality, God exists outside of time as we know it. Theologians say He is in what we call the eternal now. This means that every moment that has ever happened or will happen is present to God right now. It was the same at the cross. When Jesus gave His life, He took on all the pain, sin, hurt, despair, and fear of the entire world and experienced it as you and I do. Don’t forget that he was a human with real emotions and he experienced pain.

This should give us such great hope because Christ conquered it all on the cross. He stared your suffering in the face and overcame it so you could one day be in heaven with Him. Don’t let this be just another time that you hear that God cares. Take five minutes today and thank God for His love and ask Him to join you in your current suffering, after all, He already conquered it. Do not lose hope. Be not afraid. From all of us here at Diocesan, God Bless!

Tommy Shultz is a Solutions Evangelist for Diocesan. In that role, he is committed to coaching parishes and dioceses on authentic and effective Catholic communication. Tommy has a heart and a flair for inspiring people to live their faith every day. He has worked in various youth ministry, adult ministry, and diocesan roles. He has been a featured speaker at retreats and events across the country. His mission and drive have been especially inspired by St. John Paul II’s teachings. Tommy is blessed to be able to learn from the numerous parishes he visits and pass that experience on in his presentations. Contact him at tshultz@diocesan.com.

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The Church’s One Foundation

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“The Church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord…” A beautiful hymn we sing from time to time as the priest processes toward the altar. These words serve as an important reminder of who we are to build our lives upon.

It takes careful planning and diligence when constructing even a small house. What tools will I need? What materials are going to be most suitable for this environment? The most critical step in the preparation process is deciding what this house will be built on. If the foundation proves to be solid the house will not be in danger of collapsing. However, if the foundation is weak then it will shake with the coming of every minor storm, and in the midst of a great storm, this house will fall.

How much more meaningful then is the preparation and diligence when planning to build our lives. St. Paul describes how we are God’s building and that we must be careful as to how we build ourselves (1 Cor 3: 9-10). Our bodies, which are ourselves, are temples. The Holy Spirit dwells in us. This, at the very least, gives us new eyes as we glance at the mirror and a new love when glancing at our neighbor. We must not, therefore, lay a false foundation upon which we build our lives. If the Holy Spirit is to dwell in me, shouldn’t I make myself hospitable? If I am to do so, it is a necessity that I am built upon a solid truth. There is no foundation but the one foundation: Jesus Christ. When we construct our lives knowing He is the force that keeps us standing we avoid believing the lies that accompany a false freedom.

So will you build your life on something?
Or will you build your life on someone; namely Christ?

Benjamin serves as the Music Minister and Youth Minister at Our Lady Queen of Peace in Branchville, NJ. He teaches Children’s Theatre at the Paper Mill Playhouse and is a Catholic songwriter that has given talks on Confirmation, How to Keep the Faith in College, and The Courage to Choose Life. He can be reached at benjamintyates@gmail.com.

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Every Sinner Has A Future

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“Every Saint Has A Past – Every Sinner A Future”
-Oscar Wilde

Let me tell you a story I heard on NPR’s Story Corps project, which is a collection of stories taped around the United States, told by real people and archived in the Library of Congress. A snapshot, you could say, of life in the USA. This story is about a woman whose teenage son was killed by another teenager in the heat of an argument. The young man was tried as an adult and sent to prison. While in prison, he spent a lot of time reflecting on what he had done and he was convinced that he needed the forgiveness of the mother whom he left without a son. After some time in prison, he started writing to her, asking her to forgive him. But he also asked if she would come to visit him. The woman would not. She could not find it in her heart to forgive and, in spite of the encouragement of her family and friends, refused to visit him in prison. However, after much time had passed, she finally relented and set up a prison visit. She fully expected to see a young teenaged boy there. She was very much taken aback when she saw before her a man, a man showing the effects of his incarceration. No longer a child. Her heart melted, and she took him into her arms in an embrace of understanding love. In that instant, she recounted in tears; her son was back.

When the man was paroled, she was there to meet him, took him into her home and helped him to adjust and to get a job. He, in turn, took her as his mother and did all he could to help her in her aging years. Over time, he bought a house only a few blocks from hers and continued to be her friend and her “son.”

I cried when I heard this story.

“There will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” “There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.”

Today’s Gospel has the ever-famous story about the shepherd who would not give up looking for the one sheep separated and lost from the herd. We’ve heard this many, many times. And did you ever wonder if it was worth it for the shepherd to spend so much time, travel so far, and, we presume, neglect the rest of the herd, to find this one sheep? Did you ever wonder? Just what was so special about this sheep. Or, perhaps, what is the difference if one little coin is misplaced? It was a lot of work for the woman to deep clean her house until she found it—found it with great rejoicing.

Look at the context of today’s parables. Jesus was dining with and enjoying the company of the, supposed, sinners of the day. At least in the eyes of the Pharisees. Tax collectors! Who were they that the Rabbi should spend time with them? Yes, just who were they? In reality, they are us!

How often have we not given another person a second chance? How often have we kept people locked in the boxes of their sinful past, not willing to recognize where they are now on their road to salvation.  I dare say it happens a lot to all of us. We might even think ourselves as the righteous and forget that we, ourselves, are sinners. We don’t like being defined by our pasts but want to be seen for who we are now. Repentant, changed, and ready to move on within our families, with society at large. Re-read the parables. Jesus has forgiven, has offered us a new life. We must do the same.

I encourage you to reflect for a time today on Oscar Wilde’s quote. I’ve heard it used by Chesterton, by Thomas Merton and many other spiritual leaders when emphasizing that no one is perfect. Even the Saints struggled. But there is redemption for all available through the loving embrace of The Shepherd. Rest on his shoulders and give everyone, as well as yourself, a chance.

God Bless.

Jeanne Penoyar, an Accounts Manager here at Diocesan, is currently a Lector at St. Anthony of Padua parish in Grand Rapids, MI. While at St. Thomas the Apostle, Grand Rapids, Jeanne was a Lector, Cantor, Coordinator of Special Liturgies, Coordinator of lectors and, at one time, chair of the Liturgy Commission. In a past life, secretary/bookkeeper at the Basilica of St. Adalbert where she ran the RCIA program for the Steepletown parishes. And she loves to write! When relaxing, she likes reading and word puzzles. You can contact her at jpenoyar@diocesan.com.

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What Is Truly Important?

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I have recently taken on a few side jobs. Yes, on top of my full-time teaching position. I have done so as a means of stability. Emergencies and bills seem to continue to pile up and overwhelm me. As I love to nanny after teaching hours, I also found another business I love. It’s a network marketing company called Arbonne. I dived into this business for security, but as I attended events, I noticed how established and successful this business is. Many women are attracted by the grand prize of a new Mercedes car and cash bonuses. When they reach a certain level, they can receive a variety of gifts! This is a big deal and motivating for many people.

As I read Today’s Readings, I heard the word of the Lord speak to me and say, “Beloved, I work in you. I work in you through your desires and duties. Strive in your labor for salvation with fear and trembling. Carry your cross without grumbling and questioning. For if you cannot renounce all your material possession to follow me, you cannot be my disciple.”

The First Reading and the Gospel passage spoke this summary of God’s Word to me. My friends, God is not telling us to be living life in fear and shaking. He is articulating to us the gravity of our life’s endeavor, to love and serve Him. We must have our eyes upward. Yes, striving to do well in your work for gracious rewards is nice, but it is not the end all be all. Over and over again, I ask my students in an examination of conscience if they love their toys, video games, makeup, and slime more than they love God?! If you don’t know what slime is, consider yourself lucky…

In all our endeavors of our adult lives, we need our hearts to be grounded in the foundation of what is truly important. In your job right now; in all your side hustles and possible investments, what is your goal? What are you holding as truly important? Is it a luxurious retirement or a new high tech gadget? Depending on how you spend your money and what your intentions are, it is in this deep part of our hearts that we learn to see. We see whether or not we’d be able to leave our possessions to follow Christ. We see whether or not we’d cling to the materials we’ve possessed. We see whether or not we have placed those things above Christ in our hearts.

If you’re striving in the life of ministry and pay, as I am, be assured of my prayers as we work for His Kingdom. If you’re finding new ways or old ways to bring in extra income, know that if your purpose is out of safety and responsibility, you have your eyes on Heaven. Our vocations require prudence and labor. If your heart is more focused on the desire for “things”, let’s redirect it. Ask yourself, “What is important for my heart, mind, and soul? What is important for the wellbeing of my spouse and children? How does God call me into responsibility and prudence?” These questions help us to gain clarity of our heart’s desires. Things are not bad, but we need to make sure they are not at the top of the list. Loving and serving Him should always come first. If we cannot genuinely leave our possessions to take up our crosses and follow Him than something must change.

Briana is a Catholic Doctrine teacher at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel school in Cleveland, OH. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Theology and Catechetics from the Franciscan University of Steubenville, OH and is excited to use these skills to bring her students closer to Christ and His Church. “My soul has been refined and I can raise my head like a flower after a storm.” -St. Therese

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Sharing Is Caring

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We’ve all heard the term “sharing is caring,” but what happens when it’s someone we don’t necessarily care for?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us a parable of a man having a dinner party. The man invites many of his friends and when everything is ready, all of his guests let him know that they cannot attend. Instead of cancelling the dinner, he asks his servants to go out and bring people in from the city streets. Servants let him know that there is still plenty of room, so he asks them to go to the highways and countryside to invite still more people.

Even though I know this parable describes how we should behave, my reaction was pretty much, “Wow I wish that I could be like this guy, but man, I don’t think I could. Goals, though, am I right?”

This knee-jerk reaction was something that I think people can connect to because it comes easily, almost naturally, to want to help those who we love or who have helped us. Our loved ones have been there for us through so much, so there isn’t much hesitation in wanting to help them. This kind of charity is wonderful, but can we honestly say that we would do the same for strangers?

Do we personally extend our charitable acts to those on the street? The poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame are all Jesus Christ in the form of a stranger. Do we personally extend our charitable acts to the those in the highways? Those we pass on the road, meet in gas stations, stand or sit next to on public transportation are all Jesus Christ in the form of a stranger. Yes, even the person who crossed five lanes of traffic only to cut you off as you’re taking the exit ramp.

Anyone can help a friend or a family member, but it takes someone with true faith in God, true knowledge of charity, and true belief in giving hope to help a stranger. So I challenge you to live out true charity.

As winter approaches, consider making care kits for the homeless. Besides water and snacks, be sure to include a new pair of thick socks and gloves. Most importantly, write handwritten words of Christian encouragement and love to let them know that God has not forgotten them.

For more information on what to include in care packages for the homeless, click here.

Veronica Alvarado is a born and raised Texan currently living in Michigan. Since graduating from Texas A&M University, Veronica has published various articles in the Catholic Diocese of Austin’s official newspaper, the Catholic Spirit, and other local publications. She now works as the Content Specialist in Diocesan’s Web Department.