Reflections
Following the Example of Mother Teresa
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5 14:16).
On September 5th the Catholic Church celebrates the feast day of Saint Teresa of Calcutta. Mother Teresa lived a life of devotion to the poor, exemplifying charity, unselfishness and courage. “By blood, I am Albanian. By citizenship, I am Indian. By faith, I am a Catholic nun. As to my calling, I belong to the world. As to my heart, I belong entirely to the heart of Jesus,” is how Mother Teresa summed up her identity.
Gonxha Agnes Bojaxhiu was born in 1910 in Skopje, currently the capital of the Republic of Malcedonia. She was the youngest of eight children born to Nikola and Drana Bojaxhiu. Gonxha was eight years old when her father Nikola died, leaving the family in dire financial need. Gonxha’s mother as well as her parish shaped her upbringing and helped inspire her to be a missionary. In 1928, she left home to join the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, known as the Sisters of Loreto, in Ireland. There she received the name Sister Mary Teresa after Saint Therese of Lisieux. Shortly after arriving in Ireland she traveled to the Loreto Entally community in Calcutta, India to serve as a teacher at St. Mary’s School for Girls. Upon making her final Profession of Vows in 1937, she took the name “Mother Teresa.”
In 1946, Mother Teresa received from God what she described as her “call within a call.” Asking her to “come be my light,” Jesus revealed to her His desire for “victims of love” who would “radiate His love on souls.” Jesus communicated to Mother Teresa His pain at the neglect of the poor, His sorrow at their ignorance of Him and His longing for their love. In response, Mother Teresa established the Missionaries of Charity to serve the very poorest of the poor- “the unwanted, the unloved, the uncared for.” Each day she would go to the slums, visiting families, nursing the sick, and caring for “the uncared for.” By the 1960s Mother Teresa began to send her sisters to other parts of India, followed by Rome, Tanzania and Venezuela, and eventually had established houses on every continent. In 1979 she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. By the 1980s Mother Teresa had established houses in almost every communist country. She established numerous missionary branches. Despite increasing health problems as she aged, she continued her work, all the while struggling with an inner pain because of her longing to be closer to God.
Before her death in 1997, Mother Teresa’s sisters included nearly 4,000 members in 610 foundations in 123 countries. Less than 2 years later, Pope John Paul II opened her Cause of Canonization, and in 2003 she was beatified. Pope Francis canonized Saint Teresa of Calcutta in 2016.
Like Mother Teresa, we all should strive to be charitable, unselfish and courageous. The members of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Philadelphia strive to “care for the uncared for,” whether that be providing meals to the hungry, giving shelter to the homeless, or showing comfort to those who are suffering. While Mother Teresa was the ultimate example of Jesus’ teachings on charity, we can all start somewhere to help the forgotten people of our society.
The Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Philadelphia has many ways, customized to each local community for you to transform the lives of your neighbors as well as your own life, including through participation and building up the community. Like that of its founder, blessed Frédéric Ozanam, the vision of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul “is to embrace the world in a network of charity.”
Always Choose Hope
“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’” (John 8:12).
As the Gospel of John states, Jesus is the light of the world. In contrast the devil is the darkness of the world. With our God given free will there is always a choice for us as humans, choosing to follow our savior in light, or submitting to the temptation of evil. Every human is tested by the events of our daily life on earth. We all face temptation. Evil preys on us particularly when we are discouraged and have given up. Evil tells us that life is impossible and that there is no hope.
In today’s world it is harder than ever to remain hopeful. The coronavirus pandemic has changed life as we know it. We lived through months of quarantine. We have been conditioned to stand six feet away from others. We shout to each other from a “safe” distance. Greeting a friend with a hug is no longer normal behavior. A simple trip to the grocery store now includes wearing a mask, one way aisles, six feet of separation between customers and Plexiglas shields in front of workers. We all wonder when this will end and things will return to the way we once knew.
At the same time it’s easy to give up hope when we see so much destruction and violence in our communities, with even young children falling victim to stray bullets. Fires have been set, historical monuments and statues have been destroyed, and churches and religious statues have been targeted. Times seem darker than many of us have ever seen in our lifetime. We cannot give up hope though. When we are tested by evil, we develop virtue and the goodness of charity becomes apparent. For every act of evil we encounter, there is someone else performing an act of kindness.
The members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Philadelphia are steadfastly working to perform acts of kindness in these times of despair. The St. Vincent de Paul Society works to help those in our community who find themselves struggling, whether they need basic necessities like food or shelter, or emotional support and counsel. They work to help those who have lost all hope to find it again. There is beauty in works of charity, which helps transform both the giver and the receiver and restores hope in both parties.
We must trust in God’s plan. We must have faith that God will not abandon us. He has forgiven our sins and opened up the gates of heaven and is always there for us. As Saint Theresa said, “Let nothing disturb you. All things are passing. God never changes.”
The Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Philadelphia has many ways, customized to each local community for you to transform the lives of your neighbors as well as your own life, including through participation and building up the community. Like that of its founder, blessed Frédéric Ozanam, the vision of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul “is to embrace the world in a network of charity.”
Feeding the Homeless Committee
The Feed the Homeless Committee of the Society of St. Vincent of Philadelphia, led by Patrick Green, has partnered with Caring for Friends (CFF) https://caringforfriends.org/ in outreach to area homeless, since mid-June. Each Saturday, the volunteers prepare approximately 300 sandwiches and then distribute the sandwiches and water throughout the streets of Philadelphia. When the weather turns colder, the group will switch to serve hot meals. Here are Patrick’s words on the experience. “When looking eye-to-eye, sometimes we received nothing more than an empty stare, but there were also an abundance of thank-you’s. Yet, it was we who were thanking them for allowing us to serve them. St. Vincent even suggested that, in our hearts, we could ask them for forgiveness for the need to serve them food. When looking at a problem, St. Vincent simply said, ‘What must be done?’. As I see it, we must show the homeless that they are valuable in the eyes of God, and as a consequence, in our eyes too (remember Lazarus). For the weakest of them, we don’t have much time to remind them of how precious they are to our Lord. This simple gesture of offering them some water and something to eat shatters their sense of isolation and the feeling that they are completely forgotten about by the world. Jesus indicated that this type of work is very pleasing to God. We are literally feeding our Lord and Savior. What greater privilege is there?”
To join with other volunteers in this outreach, contact Patrick at Patrickgreen.svdp.phila@gmail.com.
Celebrating Our Freedom This Fourth of July
“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Galatians 5:13-14).
Every year our great country celebrates the day the thirteen original colonies declared themselves free from the rule of Britain’s King George III. On July 2nd, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and on July 4th, delegates from the thirteen colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson. Independence Day became a federal holiday in 1941, commemorating America’s birthday. Today many Americans celebrate the Fourth of July with trips to the beach, family gatherings and barbecues, pool parties, fireworks and parades. While Independence Day is a time for joyful red, white and blue celebrations and a day off from work, we should not lose sight of what we’re celebrating.
In line with the Judeo Christian values upon which our unique country was founded, the Declaration of Independence states, “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” In the United States, we believe that all people are created by God with equal moral value. In America, people are judged for what they do, not for what they were born. We are the fairest society in the world, where equality is of the utmost importance. This makes the United States of America so special.
While our Founding Fathers sought to separate church from state, they wisely acknowledged God as the source of our rights. Our founding documents and laws were imbued with biblical morality to prevent tyranny or totalitarianism. The moral values instilled throughout our founding principles and culture, in combination with laws based on reason and common sense, have created a country where liberty and justice are rights for all citizens.
The members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Philadelphia want to ensure that everyone is treated equally as sons and daughters of God in one big human family. We are one community, and need to look out for one another. The St. Vincent de Paul Society works to help our brothers and sisters in Christ, whether feeding them, sheltering them, or providing comfort in times of despair. They seek to make sure that our brothers and sisters in Christ have their basic needs met while being loved and respected. We all need to support one another, in the good times and bad. As Jesus taught to his followers, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
The Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Philadelphia has many ways, customized to each local community for you to transform the lives of your neighbors as well as your own life, including through participation and building up the community. Like that of its founder, blessed Frédéric Ozanam, the vision of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul “is to embrace the world in a network of charity.”
Helping Your Neighbor by Breathing New Life into Your Old “Stuff”
“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed” (Proverbs 19:17).
Many of our brave citizens, healthcare workers, police, grocery store workers, and so many others, have been working on the front line during the coronavirus pandemic. Even more of us have been patiently waiting it out at home while we all worked to “flatten the curve,” restricting outings to just the grocery store or pharmacy and staying away from anyone who lives outside of their household. As spring turns to summer, signs of a return to normal life are springing up, with many restrictions being loosened across the country.
Many people are still out of work due to the restrictions on business, especially locally, but those of us who continue to have a steady income and haven’t suffered financially should think about giving to those in need. Perhaps you’ve had the time and opportunity to do some major spring cleaning (or maybe just minor) during the stay at home order. Now, what to do with all that stuff you just don’t need anymore? You can give new life to your old things when you sort out items you haven’t used in a while. Make space in your heart to help others while making space in your closet.
Thrifty Irishman accepts clothing and shoes, household items, kitchenware, games and toys, small appliances, electronics, sporting goods, books, CD and videos, and small furniture. You’ll also be helping the environment by extending the life of your unwanted things to people in need. There are many dates for drop off on our donation page. Permanent Bins are located at St. Frances Cabrini in Fairless Hill, PA and Holy Martyrs in Oreland, PA
Think of the new life you can breathe into your old items by donating them. A blouse that you’re tired of might be just what a woman going on a job interview needs to complete an outfit. That exercise bike you’ve been using to hang laundry on might be someone’s way to start getting into shape and improving their health. That sweatshirt you don’t wear anymore could keep someone warm on a cool night. When you donate, you’ll feel good about helping someone else with the added bonus of decluttering your house.
The members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Philadelphia are all about neighbors helping neighbors, especially when so many of our neighbors are suffering physically, emotionally, and or financially from the shutdown. The St. Vincent de Paul Society is working to collect items and raise funds to help those neighbors who are in need, including those who have been impacted financially by the coronavirus pandemic, helping them make it through these challenging economic times.
The Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Philadelphia has many ways, customized to each local community for you to transform the lives of your neighbors as well as your own life, including through participation and building up the community. Like that of its founder, blessed Frédéric Ozanam, the vision of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul “is to embrace the world in a network of charity.”
We’re More Connected Than Ever
“Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:2-5).
These are tough times. Uncertain, scary, much harder than usual times. Times that many of us have never seen in a lifetime. We need God’s help to make it through this time. Remember that we are all part of God’s family, and remain mindful of the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Even though we are asked to stay apart from each other physically, we need to remember that we are always spiritually and emotionally connected as one human family, stronger together than apart.
As we reflect on how this coronavirus pandemic made its way around the world, it is because of our physical connections to each other. Someone far across the world sparked the pandemic, spreading the virus from one person to another. With our modern day methods of travel, it was passed from continent to continent, country to country, making its way here to the United States. While it might seem that the world is immense, we are easily connected in modern times.
While many people are struggling to get through this time, whether physically, mentally or financially, it is especially important to show compassion and courtesy to our neighbors. Offer to drop off a meal to an isolated elderly neighbor, or just call to chat with them. Check with your neighbors to see if they need help with shopping. Be courteous and patient when you’re out in public, whether you’re waiting in line to enter the grocery store, or waiting for someone to finish choosing an item from the shelf. Thank the store clerks for cleaning the carts and conveyer belts. Kindness goes a long way when everyone is feeling the stress of the pandemic.
The members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Philadelphia are still working in spite of the coronavirus pandemic to continue their mission to shelter the homeless, feed the hungry, provide hope to the imprisoned, and give comfort to the suffering. More people are in need because of the effects of the virus. You too can help those suffering, whether they were suffering before the pandemic or because of it.
Life is particularly hard now, but eventually the dark clouds will part and the sun will come out again. There is light at the end of the tunnel, and the joy that comes from helping each other along the way will make it seem a little bit closer.
The Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Philadelphia has many ways, customized to each local community for you to transform the lives of your neighbors as well as your own life, including through participation and building up the community. Like that of its founder, blessed Frédéric Ozanam, the vision of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul “is to embrace the world in a network of charity.”
Easter is Always a Time for Hope and Joy
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3).”
Each year we mourn Jesus’ crucifixion on Good Friday. It is the most somber day for Christians around the world. In contrast, we celebrate the most joyous day of the year on Easter Sunday, when we celebrate Jesus rising from the dead.
It might seem as though we are in middle of one of the most dismal times of our lives right now with the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic. However, we must look to God to see light at the end of the tunnel. Just as we experience the joy of Easter after the sadness of Good Friday, there will be joy and happiness again, as this too shall pass.
This year’s Easter season is not what we are used to. Masses have been cancelled this Lent. We need to look to God to help us through this time, and in doing so, show love to our brothers and sisters in Christ.
In this time of the need for people to physically distance themselves from each other to prevent the spread of the disease, we must work doubly hard to keep our emotional connections strong. Telephone calls, whether traditional, or face to face chat over smartphones, are a vital way to stay connected. Whether it’s your own relatives, close friends, and neighbors, or the folks in the community whom you don’t know personally, relationships matter more than ever.
Many people, especially the most vulnerable elderly, are feeling more isolated and hopeless than ever. Reach out remotely to your elderly neighbors and ask if they need groceries or supplies from the store, which you can drop off outside their door. Or, just call to say hi and ask them how they are doing. If you live in a place where you can go outside and stay at a safe distance from your neighbors, stop and chat.
The members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Philadelphia are doing whatever is possible during this unprecedented time to continue their mission to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, provide hope to the imprisoned, and give comfort to the suffering. You too can find ways to make a difference in the lives of those who so desperately need help, even if it’s not how you would traditionally help someone. Remember that when times seem to be at their darkest, the sun will always come out again, just like we celebrate the joyful coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ, every Easter.
The Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Philadelphia has many ways, customized to each local community for you to transform the lives of your neighbors as well as your own life, including through participation and building up the community. Like that of its founder, blessed Frédéric Ozanam, the vision of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul “is to embrace the world in a network of charity.”
Fast from Selfishness and Indifference this Lent
“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6 16:18).
The season of Lent is a time of penance from Ash Wednesday to Good Friday. The word Lent is derived from the Middle English word Lenten, which means springtime, or the time of lengthening days. At the Council of Nicea (325 A.D.), the first ecumenical council of the Church, it was decided that the Lenten observation would last for forty days.
In the early days of the Church, the Lenten observance was very strict. One meal was allowed each day, and all meat and fish were prohibited throughout the season. As of the 15th century, the one meal could be eaten by mid-day. Gradually a second meal was allowed in the evening. The Canon Law states, “All Fridays through the year and the time of Lent are penitential days and times throughout the universal Church” (Canon 1250).
As many Christian holy days have changed over the years, Lent too has changed, but its purpose has remained steadfast. In preparation for Easter, Christians are to engage in self-examination and penitence through self-denial. Today the Catholic Church requires that those ages 14-59 should abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays during Lent, and fast (eating only one full meal per day) on certain days, including Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
Lent is about turning our lives over more fully to Christ. During Lent we should strive to better understand Christ’s passion and death, and penance helps us achieve this. Self-denial, through abstinence and fasting, is a form of penance. By abstaining from certain behaviors, we remove something that gets in the way of our relationship with God. Fasting helps us understand the pain of those who are hungry. We are also reminded that everything we have is a gift from God.
While traditionally people fast from food, you can also fast from negative behaviors. Go a step further and add a good behavior into your life, such as serving the community. In fact, you can strive to add this positive act into your life year round, not just for the forty days before Easter. Let this Lent be the impetus for embracing new life in Christ.
Fast from selfishness and show charity towards others this Lent. Fast from indifference and show compassion to your brothers and sisters in Christ who are in need, whether they need basic necessities like food and shelter, or they are in need of company and consolation. Sacrifice your time and energy to make a difference and transform your life and the lives of those whom you touch.
The members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Philadelphia make fasting from selfishness and indifference a part of everyday life, not just during the season of Lent. You too can feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, provide hope to the imprisoned, and give comfort to the suffering.
The Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Philadelphia has many ways, customized to each local community for you to transform the lives of your neighbors as well as your own life, including through participation and building up the community. Like that of its founder, blessed Frédéric Ozanam, the vision of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul “is to embrace the world in a network of charity.”
A Small Act of Kindness Can Make a Huge Impact
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).
Anne Herbert penned the phrase “practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty” in 1982. Many people practice random acts of kindness in the hopes of bringing a bit of happiness to others when they least expect it. This February 17th is National Random Acts of Kindness Day, during National Random Acts of Kindness Week from February 16th to 23rd, 2020. It’s a good time to start the heart healthy habit of performing random acts of kindness. The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation calls it “the day the world turns kind.”
The beauty of a random act of kindness is that it can be something so simple and yet have so much meaning to another person. Let a mom with kids go in front of you in the grocery store checkout line. Give up your seat on the bus or train to someone else. Pay the toll of the person in the car behind you. Write a note of thanks to a coworker. Feed a stranger’s parking meter before it runs out. Pay a compliment to someone. Send a birthday card to an old friend. Stop to let someone merge in front of you. Bring your neighbor’s trash can in. Buy a homeless person something to eat. Hold the elevator door. Let someone else take your parking spot. Thank a veteran for his service to the country. The list is endless.
While many of these acts are simple and free or very inexpensive, they can have a priceless impact on both you and the receiver. You’ll feel good about doing something to brighten someone else’s day, and the receiver will be touched by your kindness.
Another great result of practicing random acts of kindness is that kind acts have a way of magically multiplying. One good deed has the ability to inspire a chain of good deeds. When you do something kind for someone, they are more likely to feel inspired to do something kind for someone else, so on and so forth.
The members of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Philadelphia work to show kindness to the members of their community who need it most. There are so many people who are down on their luck, hopeless, and dejected. Showing these people warmth and kindness can help them find a glimmer of hope. Whether by visiting an isolated elderly person, providing shelter to the homeless or giving meals to the hungry, the members of St. Vincent de Paul Society show kindness to their brothers and sisters in Christ.
The Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Philadelphia has many ways, customized to each local community, for you to transform the lives of your neighbors as well as your own life. Like that of its founder, blessed Frédéric Ozanam, the vision of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul “is to embrace the world in a network of charity.”
Warm Your Heart (and Your Neighbors’) this Winter
“The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:31).
Picture it. Gray skies. Bitter winds. Barren trees. White landscapes. It’s undoubtedly winter time, well past the warmth and lights of the Christmas season, but so far from the budding trees and daffodils, green grass, and warm springtime sun. It’s a time when many of us find the indoors to be our favorite place to pass the time. Nature is harsh this time of year, making us less likely to spend time in the yard, take walks, go to the park, or chat with a neighbor outside. Sometimes just curling up in front of the television with a cozy blanket and a cup of hot cocoa is all we want to do on a cold winter day. The mornings are dark; late afternoon is dark. It’s just natural to want to stay inside!
While our inclination might be to hibernate as much as possible, we need to take care to remember our neighbors. Although we might not see them as much as in the warmer months, this is the time they might need us most. Think especially of elderly or housebound neighbors who might feel very isolated at this time of year. Freezing temperatures or icy sidewalks might make it tough for them to even leave the house. Be sure to give a call or stop by an elderly neighbor’s house to check on them. Some of them might need some groceries because they can’t make it to the supermarket, and some might just enjoy a visit over a cup of coffee. When it snows, think about shoveling a neighbor’s front steps and walk or their driveway, or cleaning off their car- it would mean so much to someone who has a hard time shoveling. Another idea is to bring over some goodies to brighten your neighbor’s day. If you’re making soup or cookies, drop off some for them to enjoy. Even the smallest of gestures can go a long way in warming hearts.
Fast forward to the warmer months in spring and summer, when both you and your neighbors will fondly look back on how you helped to warm their hearts (and your own). Those warm thoughts will last through all the seasons.
The members of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society work to help those who are elderly, home bound or have difficulty getting out, no matter what the weather. Whether it’s providing company to a lonely senior citizen, or bringing meals to the home bound, St. Vincent de Paul Society volunteers provide comfort and care to those who need it.
The Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Philadelphia has many ways, customized to each local community, for you to transform the lives of your neighbors as well as your own life. Like that of its founder, blessed Frédéric Ozanam, the vision of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul “is to embrace the world in a network of charity.”