When word got out last August that Catholic Charities was resettling Afghan refugees, our phone began ringing off the hook. We received generous offers from parishioners and community members all over the diocese who wanted to help. As a result, we were able to serve more than 800 refugees in the first six months, supporting their efforts toward building self-sufficient lives in their new homes.
What prompted such a response to Catholic Charities?
I suggest a few reasons. The Gospel proclaims and the church teaches respect for the dignity of human life, with a duty to serve the most vulnerable of God’s people. Also, our mission states, “Catholic Charities extends its services and resources to all in need; and convenes the Catholic community to fulfill the Church’s mission of social justice.”
We convened.
The church offered to provide housing support, employment mentoring, interpreting, teaching and administrative support. From the earliest days after the fall of Afghanistan, our offices filled up to bursting with material donations of mattresses, dishes, car seats and other necessary items. Some 87 volunteers showed up to sort, organize and support the distribution of these household goods and food for incoming refugee families.
While surprised by the volume of support, we were not surprised by the interest in serving.
In fact, while Catholic social teaching reminds us to remember in prayer and deed the vulnerable, our community of volunteers affirms the presence of generous love, by convening.
Here are a few examples of the impact volunteers made in 2021:
—2 million pounds of food distributed through the St. Lucy Food Project, with the help of 2,100 volunteers.
—10,397 hot meals provided at the Christ House evening meal by 48 recurring volunteer groups comprised of 200 volunteers.
—1,465 patients received medical care from our 192 volunteer doctors and nurses at the Mother of Mercy Free Medical Clinics.
—249 volunteers provided educational and professional classes and training to 456 immigrants to help them find jobs to support their families.
—At the height of the pandemic, Catholic Charities volunteers contributed 59,000 hours of service with the independent sector valuing each hour as a $29.14 contribution. The combined in-kind contribution of our volunteers is valued at $1.68 million.
Over the past year, Catholic Charities has received support from 3,500 regular active volunteers and a staff of 165. In serving the poor, protecting the vulnerable, caring for the sick and welcoming the newcomer, we rely on our faith community to partner with us to bring the love of Christ to all. Consequently, it is in this encounter with one another we experience inclusion, connection, contribution and meaning. We are so grateful, each day, to convene together in this worthwhile mission.
At Catholic Charities, we draw strength and inspiration from the examples of our many volunteers, saints and church leaders. However, St. Teresa of Kolkata dedicated her life to serving society’s most marginalized victims. Her actions conveyed that every individual mattered. “I believe,” she once said, “in person-to-person contact. Every person is Christ for me, and since there is only one Jesus, the person I am meeting is the one person in the world at that moment.” In essence, the kindness of volunteers makes a collective impact upon that “one person in the world, in that moment.”
The good news is volunteers are serving alongside staff supporting their ministries and clients. The better news is Christ’s love cascading through the diocese.
Beard is director of volunteers for Catholic Charities of Arlington
Find out more
April is National Volunteer Month. To explore volunteer opportunities with Catholic Charities, go to volunteer.ccda.net or email [email protected].
Disconnected spirituality