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“Where the poor are concerned, it is not talk that matters; what matters is rolling up our sleeves and putting our faith into practice through a direct involvement, one that cannot be delegated.” (Pope Francis, Message for the Sixth World Day of the Poor)
November 10, 2022
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Did you know that nearly 38 million Americans live below the poverty line and 2.5 million children experience homelessness in a year? Many of these Americans are considered “working poor”— they work but do not make enough money to cover essentials like housing, health care, childcare, and food.
Since 1969, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) has addressed poverty by attacking its root causes and funding community projects that promote independence as a means of finding a permanent end to poverty. That’s why the CCHD theme is “Help Those on the Margins.” This collection is the primary source of funding for CCHD’s anti-poverty grants and education programs.
This year, seventy-five percent of the collection will stay here in our diocese. Each November I meet with our parish and community groups which received local grants from the previous year’s collection. It is always inspiring to see how these small grants blossom into effective programs to support the dignity of people who find themselves most often on the margins. Given our economy’s high inflation rate, the need has increased dramatically in the many food pantries and emergency assistance programs which receive support from our local CCHD funds.
Please help the efforts of CCHD to break the cycle of poverty. We are “working on the margins” in Central Massachusetts and across America. Support CCHD Collection on November 19 & 20 as a response to the Sixth World Day of the Poor on November 13 as called for by our Holy Father, Pope Francis. For more information about CCHD and the scope of poverty in America, please visit www.povertyusa.org.
With every prayerful best wish, I remain
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Robert J. McManus
Bishop of Worcester