THE GOOD NEWS
ARCHBISHOP BELTRAN

The Good News

...CATHOLIC CHARITIES
One People - One Faith - One Work

Our Catholic faith is centered on Jesus.  It is He Who is Lord and Savior. It is He Who brings us together as One People to form His Catholic Church. We are members of this Church by baptism and profession of faith.  Jesus commands each of us to put our faith into action by works of charity.  When we, as one people, join together in these works of love, we have begun the beautiful apostolate of Catholic Charities.  Catholic Charities is the combined effort of Catholic people listening to and following the teachings and commandments of the Lord Jesus!

The Catholic Charities programs of our Archdiocese are very extensive.  Efforts are made to respond to crises situations whenever and wherever they arise.  This is in addition to the day by day support and assistance given to those in need.  These daily on-going responses mean food, clothing, lodging, counseling, medical assistance, immigration and other social services.  Much can be said about each of these programs.  However, for the immediate purpose of this article, I wish to share with you some information on just one of these many services and that is housing.

On September 23rd,  I blessed Casa Maria, the newest residence of Catholic Charities.  Casa Maria is a six-unit apartment that will house families in transition.  It will not only provide them shelter but also counseling, job assistance and guidance in returning to good and productive living in society.  As in all our housing programs, there is a need for such services and the need is not adequately being provided.  Therefore, Catholic Charities willingly steps in to offer hope and a new realistic opportunity.

One of our premier residential communities is the Holy Family Home in Midwest City.  After many years of operating out of rental units, Catholic Charities built this new maternity home in 1999.  There are accommodations at Holy Family Home for mothers and their babies.  Again, not only housing, but medical attention, spiritual direction, parenting skills, job assistance and continuing education are all part of the program at Holy Family Home.  Mothers can remain at Holy Family Home for six months after the birth of their babies.

Sometime, a mother and child may need longer to prepare for the future than Holy Family Home can provide.  Therefore, Catholic Charities has the Seton House in Oklahoma City for these families.  Here, as in all our housing services, guidance, counseling and education are part of the daily schedule.

The Elizabeth House was one of our earlier recent efforts in providing housing.  We opened Elizabeth House some eleven years ago for AIDS patients.  It operated successfully in this area but as other services became available and as we had vacancies, we then provided these apartments for a single parent or distressed families in need.

Our Catholic Charities also provides affordable housing for senior citizens in two different complexes.  Trinity Gardens is located at the former but renovated building of Saint Ann Nursing Home.  Trinity Gardens offers one and two bedroom independent living apartments.

Just north of Trinity Gardens we constructed new units called Villa Isenbart which provides additional affordable living for the elderly.

Several of our parishes also offer temporary housing for those in need.  This is done in cooperation with Catholic Charities at Saint John Parish, Edmond, at their Zachary Houses (there are two) and at Saint Eugene Parish, Oklahoma City, at their Laughlin House.

Catholic Charities continues to work with Mercy Housing to improve our services and our outreach.

There are nine different locations described above for pre-born children to senior citizens.  This means that every day (and every night) of the year, Catholic Charities is reaching out to provide for many people a place to sleep, a place of security, a place to call home.  Each of these residences is truly a “sacred place.”  Each stands as a sign of the respect we owe our brothers and sisters and as a tribute to the dignity of every human being created in the Image and Likeness of God.

This good work is made possible by your support and your cooperation.  The annual appeal which is currently underway keeps these residences open and the services they provide available.  This is the One Work of the One People of this Archdiocese.  This is our CATHOLIC CHARITIES.

Please, please make a generous commitment of support for this coming year.  Envelopes for this appeal are available at your parish church or by calling Catholic Charities (405/523-3000).  Direct donations and pledges for this coming year can be mailed to Catholic Charities, 1501 North Classen Boulevard, Oklahoma City 73106.

May God bless all of you most abundantly.