Bishop says Charities carries out the Mission of Jesus in Wholeness And Holiness
Several Hundred worshippers attended the special Mass celebrating Cleveland Catholic Charities 100th anniversary on Sunday afternoon, June 24, at St. John Cathedral in downtown Cleveland. Known as the largest and considered one of the finest Catholic Charities operations in the country, Cleveland Bishop, the Most Reverend Richard Lennon recalled the early efforts of Bishop John Farrelly in 1912 to organize the people of the Cleveland Diocese in an effort to assist the many needy.
Catholic Charities President Pat Gareau reflects on this significance of the Catholic Charities in the community for the past 100 years...
In his remarks, Bishop Lennon said "Charities carries out the mission of Jesus in holiness and wholeness. Charities not only immediately assists those who need help, but takes the next step to determine a person's needs once he or she has been able to resolve the initial problem. Regarding "holiness," the Bishop said that Charities acts upon what Jesus said to all of us, "Be holy as your heavenly Father is holy."
The bishop concluded his homily praying that in the second hundred years, "Be as bountiful and generous as in the first 100 and we will see the kingdom on earth become like God's kingdom in heaven."
A reception and celebration followed at the Galleria in downtown Cleveland.
Catholic Charities serves more than 328,000 persons in the eight counties of the Diocese each year, provides 58,771 nights of shelter, and 3,202,328 meals through the Catholic hunger and shelter network.
Photo slide show of the 100 Year Anniversary Celebration
(Click the Play icon to see photos)