“If you cannot find Christ in the beggar at the church door,
you will not find Him in the chalice.”
These words encourage me to work harder as an advocate for some of our neighbors in need and as an ambassador of the catholic social teachings of the CRS ( Catholic Relief Services ) and supporter of its works locally ( through the CCS ) and globally. The CRS funds help some programs in our very own parish. Do you know that our expenditures to help with Hospitality, Immersions, The Josephinum, St Vincent de Paul to name a few are just some of the benefits of the CRS? This is why I continue to be an ambassador. The lives of the individuals and families that have been changed locally and globally have been an inspiration to me. Victor Hugo's resonating quote on
" to love someone is to see the face of GOD" is what really makes sense to me - from the amazing work of CRS on Options for the Poor and Social Justice/ Human Migration. I want to see the FACE of GOD everyday - may it be through the Eucharist or through simple acts of kindness to those in need. It doesn't have to be great things that we have to do - but as St Mother Theresa of Kolkata said - It's the "doing of little things but with great LOVE "...
Every year , the Archdiocese of Seattle holds a CRS Ambassador Training/ Retreat. It's a 2 plus-day retreat of prayer, fellowship, inspiration and strategic planning. My experience 3 years ago was a memorable one that it lit a fire in me to be an ambassador for the CRS. I loved learning about the successful works of the CRS globally and the fun part for me was learning peasant recipes from these countries. I feel like I got to walk as how the villagers from those countries walked everyday. With them in mind, I learn and empathize with their daily struggles . It made me more conscious about my own wasteful footprints. It makes me to try to live simply everyday so others may simply live.
So join me and others to be an ambassador of goodwill - an ambassador of CRS or any OUTREACH. The more ambassadors we have, the more programs we can create in our own church community.
Remember:
One of Mother Teresa's favorite texts in the Bible, which she often quoted to support her ministry to the poor, is "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25:40, 45)
Cate Lichten
categabe329@gmail.com
CRS Ambassador
St Vincent de Paul Conference Spiritual Adviser
Hospitality Steward
Spe Salvi Co-coordinator
Outreach Commission Member
Christ Our Hope Catholic Church
Seattle, WA
