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Let us turn none away this time
December 18, 2008
At this time of the year, I often reflect on the joyous birth of our Savior in the humblest of circumstances. This year, an element of the story stands out: it is the story of a weary and anxious Joseph and Mary, on a journey they did not choose, being turned away when they most needed help.
Sometimes I wonder how the innkeeper felt that night. Was he too busy to really take notice of Joseph and Mary’s plight? Or was he perhaps annoyed to be bothered by another customer? Or did he regretfully offer them the stable, truly grieved that he couldn’t give them more. If it was the latter, then we at Catholic Charities know what he felt.
During the month of October, we turned away 1,504 people seeking food and shelter. It’s a hard thing to turn people away.
After helping more than 1,750 people, we simply ran out of what so many people desperately needed: food, shelter and financial assistance to help them with immediate needs, utilities, rent, and mortgages.
The weight of our nation’s financial and economic crisis has been bearing down on everyone. It seems that few can escape the anxiety and gloom that such times bring. But many people are experiencing more than that. They are desperate. I think of a former donor who called one recent morning. She is recovering from cancer and unable to work. She needed $90 to pay her mortgage and remain in her home with her children.
We are seeing them at our doors every day — people who have lost their jobs, people who have been evicted, people who need food or utility assistance so that they can keep making their mortgage or rent payments. And we do not have enough to give them even a little help — not even a manger.
What we are experiencing is common across the country. More than 85 percent of our sister Catholic Charities agencies have reported a dramatic increase in the number of people requesting food, shelter and financial assistance. We are also experiencing a significant drop in donations.
So many families in crisis need your help, more than ever. If you have a job and a home and can cover your basic needs, please consider a gift to Catholic Charities, or St. Vincent DePaul or any of the many organizations giving help and hope this Christmas.
Our neighbors, our brothers and sisters in need, are coming to our door. Let there be room at the inn and food on the table. Let us turn none away! That is a sure path to joyous celebration of the birth of our Savior!
Paul J. Martodam is CEO of Catholic Charities Community Services. Please send comments to letters@catholicusn.org.
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