Caring for the Poor

Throughout history, God has shown particular care and concern for the poor and needy. God is a refuge for the poor, hears their cry, and provides for their basic physical, economic, and spiritual needs. He also roundly condemns those who would discard the poor and vulnerable. As we hear from the prophet Amos, God finds guilty those "who trample upon the needy, and bring the poor of the land to an end."

This same God who shows a special mercy for the poor calls His people to do the same. In the Catholic tradition, this has been termed as preferential option (or love) for the poor and it is at the core of the moral life.

On the ballot this November, you will see four ballot initiatives which challenge this core moral belief and give us an opportunity to protect the poor and vulnerable in our state.

We invite you to visit our website to learn more about ballot initiatives 428, 429, 430, and 431.

Catholics love their neighbors

Watch this short video from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops about how Catholics can love their neighbors.

Let us pray

Lord Jesus, Carpenter and King, supreme Sovereign of all men, look with tender mercy upon the multitudes of our day who bear the indignities of injustice everywhere. Raise up leaders in every land dedicated to Your standards of order, equity, and justice.

Grant unto us, Lord Jesus, the grace to be worthy members of Your Mystical Body, laboring unceasingly to fulfill our vocation in the social apostolate of Your Church. Sharpen our intellects to pierce the pettiness of prejudice; to perceive the beauty of true human brotherhood.

Guide our minds to a meaningful understanding of the problems of the poor, of the oppressed, of the unemployed, of all in need of assistance anywhere. Guide our hearts against the subtle lure of earthly things and undue regard for those who possess them. May we hunger and thirst after justice always.
Amen.

A Word from the Saints

“We cannot better assure our eternal happiness than by living and dying in the service of the poor, in the arms of Providence, and with genuine
renouncement of ourselves in order to follow Jesus Christ.” - St. Vincent de Paul