The Hope of a New Beginning

Fresh off the celebration of Christmas, we are reflecting on the reason for the season – honoring the birth of Christ.

Mary gave birth to her first born, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.

By definition, baby Jesus and his family were homeless.

Jesus’ need for safe, temporary housing was met in the form of a stable. And despite his humble beginnings, Jesus was the King of Kings, the Son of God…the Savior of the world.

God had a plan for Jesus’ life.

God also has a plan for each woman and child who will find safe, temporary shelter at Becky’s Place in Bedford, IN. Being homeless, in need of help and hope, does not negate the fact that these individuals are God’s children whom He loves very much. Becky’s Place offers the hope of a new beginning and we have the joyous opportunity to serve these women and children by offering a homelike environment as they work toward a life of self-sufficiency. Through their experience at Becky’s Place, women and children are reminded of their worth and the difference they can make in the world.

If you would like to learn more about how you can become involved with Becky’s Place, please call 812.275.5773.

Emmanuel: God With Us

Do you love Christmas music? Or are you glad when it’s behind us for another year? Maybe you are one of those people that could listen to it all year round. A favorite of many during the Christmas season is “O Holy Night.”

Why not take a moment to let these lyrics sink in today?

Long lay the world, in sin and error pining
TIL HE APPEARED, and the soul felt its worth!

Now compare these lyrics with Galatians 4:4-5:

But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

Can you relate to this on a personal level? Along with the whole world, we have each been personally corrupted by sin, wallowing in our own grievous errors…and pining for someone to rescue us.

Then that SOMEONE appeared! "When the fullness of the time came," Jesus Christ appeared…Emmanuel. And the soul felt its worth. Your worth comes from him. He redeemed you; He adopted you; He made you his child.

Fall on your knees...worship the King. Emmanuel: God with us.

Nothing and no one compares with Jesus.

Merry Christmas!

Breaking the Silence this Christmas

Throughout the Old Testament, God was actively at work and communicating with his people to show the world that he is the One True God. Between the close of the book of Malachi and the opening of the book of Matthew, there are 400 “years of silence” and then … Emmanuel. God with us. But 400 years is a long time. Fear, uncertainty and hopelessness must have gripped the hearts of God’s people throughout that time.

At various times in life, all of us feel as though we are experiencing a “season of silence” – whether it be distance from family, or friends, or even God himself. During these times, it is invaluable when another person reaches out to help and offer a ray of hope.

Likewise, many in our communities live their day-to-day lives feeling as though they are alone – experiencing a season of silence – from those around them, and possibly from God.

As we go through the Christmas season, we challenge you to focus on Emmanuel, and also to intentionally focus on others. Who can you help? To whom can you offer hope? Your act of kindness and compassion has the power to break the silence in someone’s life.  So go ahead and let your life speak volumes to someone who needs to encounter Jesus today – Emmanuel, God with us.

An Unexpected Hope

Like many young couples who fall in love, get married, and dream of having a family together, Nick and Nikki were no different. They married in June of 2007 believing their dream of having children would soon follow. What followed instead were the heartache, pain, and struggle of infertility.

As the couple sought God to bring healing and understanding, they were given the hope of adoption. God led them to St. Elizabeth|Coleman Pregnancy & Adoption Services, an agency that maintains Nick and Nikki’s essential value system – and they were encouraged by the beautiful gift they could give and receive through adoption. The true emotional journey began when they were placed on St. Elizabeth|Coleman’s adoption waiting list. Knowing God had called them to be parents; Nick and Nikki simply had to wait on His perfect timing.

Nikki still recalls the immense joy and tears they experienced the day “the call” came. They had been selected by a birthmother to forever care for her precious baby girl – a girl we would name Addison. The couple met Addison’s birthmother while she was still pregnant – a truly remarkable experience. Less than two months later, their beautiful daughter entered the world. They celebrated and cherished the moments with Addison’s birth family, excited about the future ahead.

Eighteen months later, Nick and Nikki were hopeful to give Addison a sibling and were placed onto St. Elizabeth|Coleman’s adoption waiting list once more. Fully expecting to be on the waiting list for a long time, they were pleasantly surprised to be selected as parents of a baby boy just one month later. Nick and Nikki were overjoyed all the more to spend quality time with their son’s birthmother before his delivery, including attending birthing classes. Addison was excited to have a baby brother and even helped get his room ready. Soon, their beautiful son, Aiden, was added to the family.

Through all the emotional ups and downs, Nick and Nikki are so thankful to have St. Elizabeth|Coleman to support them. They were not only prepared for adoption, but they also help their family stay connected to the two amazing birthmothers of their children. They never imagined the great blessing God would bring through the pain of infertility.

For more information about the compassionate services of St. Elizabeth|Coleman, please visit GivingBirthToHope.org.

St. Elizabeth's: Providing a Home and Hope

Young women come to St. Elizabeth's from many different situations. Often it is to escape an abusive relationship with a boyfriend or a parent. We are a safe haven for those with nowhere else to go…and recently, we became such a place for Shelly.

Shelly was 19 when she became pregnant and decided to leave an abusive relationship in order to pursue a healthy future for her child. Alone, and scared for the health of her baby, Shelly moved into the waiting room of a local hospital. Having medical care nearby gave her some sense of comfort in the event that something happened. For two months, Shelly moved from waiting area to waiting area so as not to be discovered by the hospital staff. Fortunately, Shelly came across the number for a crisis pregnancy center and called, desperate for a place to stay for the remainder of her pregnancy.

She was referred to St. Elizabeth's and moved in the very afternoon she called us for help. During this time Shelly had a home, a safe place to sleep and eat, and prepare for the birth of her child. She formed positive friendships with the other residents facing similar situations, as well as with the house parents who offered support and guidance.

St. Elizabeth's offers a home and source of hope to dozens of young, scared, pregnant women each year through the Maternity and Transition homes. Women like Shelly with nowhere to go and no one to care for them during this stressful and uncertain time. St. Elizabeth's compassionately provides help and creates hope for women in “hopeless” situations day in and day out.

For more information, call 800-227-3002 or visit StElizabethCatholicCharities.org.

Choosing Life

On a Sunday afternoon, St. Elizabeth|Coleman received a phone call from a volunteer counselor at a Pregnancy Resource Agency who had been working with a teenage girl who was seven months pregnant. The 16 year-old girl, Theresa, lived in a small Hispanic community where her father held a significant position within their church. Because an out-of-wedlock birth would be a disgrace to her family, Theresa had been hiding her pregnancy from her parents and others. The young girl feared for her life if her father were to find out about her pregnancy. So, Theresa expressed an interest in placing her child for adoption.

Theresa had a very limited support system during her pregnancy. Thankfully, her Birthmother Counselor, a small handful of friends, and the high school staff provided her the support she so desperately needed and deserved. With the help of St. Elizabeth|Coleman, Theresa had a new support system and was able to receive prenatal care and counseling. Theresa safely delivered a healthy baby boy at a local hospital where she was able to meet the adoptive couple. 

Months after her delivery, the Birthmother counselor continues to provide counseling and support to Theresa on an ongoing basis. Theresa has returned to her normal school activities and is looking forward to graduating from high school. Updates about her baby from the adoptive couple are treasured by young Theresa, who remains pleased with her decision to choose life and place her child for adoption. She is very happy to know her baby is well taken care of and loved by the adoptive family.

For more information about the services and programs of St. Elizabeth|Coleman, please visit GivingBirthToHope.org.

The Kindness of Strangers

Life was going well for *Mike and *Sherry. They had good jobs with benefits, enjoyed spending time with Mike’s young daughter as much as they could, and had made their rental house a home. But one

day…everything changed.

After a fire destroyed their home and all their belongings, Mike and Sherry began the painful and emotional process of determining their next steps. Thankfully, they were insured, but as is often the case, they encountered a lot of red tape and a prolonged period of time to sort through all the details. In the meantime, deposits were being requested for utilities and a new place to live; in addition to needing money for household items, furniture, and clothing. Mike and Sherry knew financial help would come; the question was when and how much.

Having never faced such dire financial circumstances, the couple found it difficult to reach out for help. But finally, in desperation, Mike and Sherry came to Catholic Charities and shared their story through many tears. Hugs were given – as was financial assistance to help with monthly bills – and the couple was reassured they are not in this battle alone and we would do whatever we could to help them through the next few difficult months.

Catholic Charities was able to assist with a utility bill, help feed them through the Table of Blessings, share produce from gracious local growers, and connect them with a generous donor with furniture to share.

Mike and Sherry have since received their insurance settlement and came to our office with a generous donation to “pay back” what was given to them. While this is always welcomed and appreciated, we aren’t looking to be “paid back” and are confident that Mike and Sherry simply want to “pay it forward” so Catholic Charities can continue to help someone else in a similar crisis.

Mike shared with us, “I never realized that strangers could really care about us until we came to your door.” And that is the most important work we do throughout the year – create hope.

*Not real names

Being Religious Doesn’t Always Mean Being Right

We all have our comfort zone. The question is: do we ever get out of it? If we wish to follow the example of Jesus, we must be prepared to have encounters with people that would typically have us running the other direction. Take a peek into this conversation between Jesus and the respected religious leaders of his day found in Matthew 9:9-13:

As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him.

While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples.

 

The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"

He heard this and said, "Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."

Did you notice these well-respected religious leaders have an air of spiritual superiority about them? Rather than desiring to help the weak, vulnerable, poor, and blatant ‘sinners’, they consider it offensive for Jesus to give them the time of day. These men were religious, but they were totally wrong in how they related to God and others. They needed a change of heart.

In his New York Times best-seller, Love Does: Discovering a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World, author Bob Goff writes, “Jesus spent most of his life with people we spend most of ours trying to avoid.”

Could it be true? Do you spend most of your time where you feel most comfortable – avoiding people and places because of a sense of spiritual snobbery? Do you need a change of heart toward God and others? If so, it’s never too late to “get in the game” of loving others the way Jesus loves. Selflessly. Fearlessly. Undeniably.

Let’s love like Jesus today. It’s because of his love for us that we have the privilege to do the same.

Helping Families Recover from Trauma

Trauma comes in many forms: domestic violence, poverty, child abuse and neglect, homelessness. Whatever the form, the impact on family functioning can be ongoing and the emotional, social, and physical health of family members is often seriously damaged; sometimes bridging generations. Helping families recover from trauma and build resilience to ongoing trauma such as poverty is currently seen as crucial to providing mental health services that adequately address the needs of both the children and adults.

Catholic Charities has explored many innovative programs to help families that have experienced significant levels of trauma. One of the newest of these programs to be utilized by Catholic Charities in Bloomington’s Counseling and Psychological Services is called "Strengthening Families Coping Resources" (SFCR). SFCR is a trauma-focused, multi-family, skill-building intervention. SFCR is designed for families living in traumatic contexts with the goal of reducing the symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related disorders in children and adult caregivers. Since most families living in traumatic contexts contend with ongoing stressors and threats, SFCR is also designed to increase coping resources in children, adult caregivers, and in the family system to prevent relapse and re-exposure. Specifically, SFCR builds the coping resources necessary to help families boost their sense of safety, function with stability, regulate their emotions and behaviors, and improve communication about and understanding of the traumas they have experienced. We may think of trauma as something "big," like being the victim of or witnessing violence, but not understand how something like the ongoing daily stress of poverty is also a major source of trauma. SFCR is designed to help families recognize the more subtle forms of trauma and how to develop skills and family relationships that help build resiliency and reduce the traumatic impact resulting from ongoing environmental stress.

Catholic Charities is here to provide help and create hope for all. If you would like more information about our counseling services, please call (812) 332-1262 or visit CatholicCharitiesBtown.org.

Abused. Afraid. Alone.

Knowing she should leave her abusive husband, but lacking the courage and self-confidence to do so, Sharla* stayed. Until…she found out he was sexually abusing their daughter, as well.

With her now ex-husband in prison, Sharla moved away from the area and homeschools her young daughter.

She has just a small amount of disability income to live on and is usually able to pay all her bills. But every few months, she comes to Catholic Charities in need of assistance.

Providing help. Creating hope.

A big part of the assistance for Sharla is our Budget Basics classes in Tell City – a curriculum designed specifically for Catholic Charities with classes taught by experts in finance and other related fields. In addition to necessary budget skills, we teach the connection between personal decisions resulting in either good or bad consequences. If an enrolled individual does not complete the class or required homework, emergency assistance funds from Catholic Charities will not be available to them for a period of three years.

Sharla is proceeding through the classes wonderfully and has already found ways to cut expenses. She was also encouraged to use her talents at making crafts to bring in a little more income, so she eagerly contacted local craft stores and will have a table at craft fairs this fall to sell her items.

Sharla is on the road to a more self-sufficient life – and her little girl is thriving.

Often, through no fault of their own, our neighbors are unable to make ends meet.

Together, we are making a difference.

For more information about Catholic Charities, please visit us online.

*Not her real name.

"I'm Hungry"

It’s a common phrase, isn’t it? You will likely hear a co-worker, friend, or child express it during the course of a week; or even proclaim it yourself during a busy day. Yet for most of us, “I’m hungry” means we walk to the refrigerator, or break room, or pull up at the nearest drive-thru and satisfy our need. Not so for far too many in our communities.

According to Feeding America, 1 in 6 Americans struggles with hunger. Read that again. Let it sink in.

1 in 6.

This is not your average “I’m hungry” situation. This represents children going to bed with growling tummies. Parents struggling to pay utilities while keeping food on the table – but unable to do both.

For those of us who can meet our hunger needs and cravings at a moment’s notice, we are in the perfect position to extend the love of Christ to those who simply cannot.

Did you know September is Hunger Action month? What a great time to put yourself in someone else's shoes by taking the Hunger Challenge. Join Catholic Charities at the United Way Hunger Challenge Facebook page. During the week of September 15-21, see if you can you eat on just $4.52 a day or $31.70 for one week.

Then contact your local Catholic Charities to see how YOU can help alleviate “I’m hungry” all year long.

A New Identity

We each have multiple ways that we identify who we are in life. But for the children in our community who are abandoned, neglected, or abused, perhaps their only way of identifying themselves is…

                                                  Helpless.      Desperate.     Hopeless.

At only 8 years old, Brandon was taken into protective custody after protecting his mother during a domestic dispute. Both of Brandon’s parents had a long history of substance abuse and his father had abandoned him at birth.

Over the next six years, Brandon went through multiple placements in treatment facilities, foster homes, a youth shelter, and the juvenile detention center – all while his mother was serving a lengthy prison sentence. Brandon was allowed to have contact with his mother during this time, and he remained hopeful that they would be reunited upon her release. When that day finally came, his mother fell back into a life of drugs and domestic violence, unable to reconnect with her son.

Then, St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities’ CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer was appointed to Brandon’s case. The two quickly established a rapport and for the first time in Brandon’s life, a sense of trust was developed. Due to the tenacity of his CASA volunteer, Brandon successfully remained a Child in Need of Services (CHINS) through the court system; resulting in a voluntary termination of parental rights and enabling the pursuit of adoption.

Brandon’s CASA spends countless hours with him – and has observed Brandon make great strides towards normalcy, including being an active and valued member of a youth football team and attending church each Sunday, where he saves a seat for the CASA who attends with him. Ever vigilant in her dedication to Brandon’s success, when asked if she will remain in his life, her reply to Brandon is swift and from the heart, “I hope to dance at your wedding someday.”

Without the love and support of this CASA volunteer, Brandon would not be who he is today…

Successful.      Confident.       Hopeful.

Together we can reach out to those in desperate need… offering them a new identity.

From Fear to Confidence

As a 4th grader at an Indianapolis parochial school, "Paul" should have been enjoying just being a kid. Sadly, his life was ruled by an anxiety disorder and he coped by avoiding any situation that made him feel anxious. Afraid of almost everything, Paul was missing out on activities he used to enjoy and rarely tried anything new.

One of Paul's classmates also struggled with anxiety and had made significant progress with the help of a social worker from the Catholic Charities School Social Work Program in Indianapolis during the previous school year. The classmate's mother suggested to Paul's parents that this program might also be able to help their son, and they were eager to give it a try.   

The social worker came alongside Paul throughout the whole first semester - helping him understand anxiety and how his mind and body respond to stressors. They made a "worry workbook" together, listing all of Paul's worries from the smallest to the biggest. Then they developed positive ways for Paul to respond to those worries and started adding those coping skills to his "tool box." Paul was learning how to manage his stress so that he felt calm and in control.

The social worker also spent time with Paul's parents, helping them develop communication skills to effectively help their son. By God's grace and the help of Catholic Charities School Social Work Program, Paul has successfully tackled several of the worries on his list and now responds with healthy coping skills. Paul has developed an increased level of confidence in his abilities and is doing better academically, as well as socially.

For more information about this program, please call 317-236-1523.

Seeing the Whole Picture

The summer has flown by – it’s already August! And we all know what that means – school. Students all across the country are going back to school. Some are eagerly anticipating it, while others are dreading it.

So often we look at our youth and want to take care of the external – ensuring they have an education, food, safety, and greater opportunities when they are in school. Rarely do we see the whole picture of what is going on in their lives. For John Etling, Agency Director at Catholic Charities in Terre Haute, an encounter with a young man named *Ben at Ryves Youth Center forever changed his perspective…

I’ll never forget the day I met Ben. I was giving a tour to a visitor when Ben asked me to shoot some baskets with him. Thinking he was hungry, I sent Ben away to the Kid’s Café with the promise of shooting baskets once he got some food and I finished up my tour.

As promised, Ben and I met in the gym a few hours later to shoot baskets. While we were shooting, one of the other children came into the gym and asked Ben if I was his dad. Ben replied with ease, “yes.” That response touched a place deep in my heart.

You see, Ben’s parents had recently divorced because of addiction issues, Ben’s older brother was in juvenile detention, and Ben was living on the streets, staying with anyone who might take him in for the night.  And here I thought all this kid needed was a nutritious meal. 

I thought, “If Ben needs me to be his dad at this moment then I’m going to be his dad.” Then it dawned on me – that’s exactly what Jesus wants us to be to these kids: dads, moms, brothers, sisters… family.

These kids need our love. Sure we feed them, but we also love them. I believe that’s exactly what Mother Theresa had in mind when she said, “The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread.”

Thank you to all who serve as a dad, mom, brother, sister, or friend to the youth in need. We at Catholic Charities are thankful for the love, leadership, and investment that our staff, volunteers, and donors make in the lives of countless youth. 

Won’t you do the same?

*Name changed for privacy

Living in Freedom

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1

Christ came to set us free – to give us freedom from the captivity of sin. 

Often, we find ourselves living in a prison that we created. This prison is created when we allow our sinful thoughts, words, and behavior to distance us from God. We allow the lies of the enemy to distort who God is and the grace, love, and forgiveness he desires to give us. Believing that we are beyond hope, beyond rescue, and beyond healing, we settle to live as prisoners.

However, our prison has a key. Our captivity is just steps away from freedom. Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins so we could live in freedom. But, what does freedom in Christ truly mean? 

It means that God stands by us until we are free. He knows that freedom is a journey, and He chooses to take that journey with us. He often uses challenges to woo us to Himself, but He never forsakes us. God is not scared or turned off or intimidated by the depth or length of our need. Although He never excuses our sin and rebellion, He patiently walks us towards the freedom He has planned for us. Best of all, He knows our hearts and what motivates our actions, and is therefore the only one who can bring us healing and freedom. Yes, healing. God doesn’t “fix” us; He heals us. God’s heart is overflowing with compassion for us in our time of need, but will ultimately wait for us to want to leave the prison we have created for ourselves. 

Our freedom can be found in Christ alone. We can know that “in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) God’s purpose is motivated by an unconditional, unfailing, selfless love. Christ offers us freedom so that we might have life abundantly. Living with a purpose, a plan, and a hope for each day. Living not simply for this world, but for an eternity with him.

Christ came so that you would be set free. Are you living free today?

People Are So Giving Here

Andrei was just 12 years old when the Soviet Union fell and his beloved country of Moldova gained independence and a fresh start. In the midst of initial excitement, Moldovans experienced the collective confusion of how to rebuild and start anew. Many regained possession of family-owned land that had been taken by the Soviets, only to find acre upon acre overgrown and weed-infested, with no resources to make it usable or profitable. With a lack of infrastructure, jobs were scarce and available jobs paid such low wages that most families lived below the poverty line. Andrei recalls how he watched many adults, devoid of purpose, literally drink their lives away.

Surrounded by this depression, Andrei found himself vulnerable to this same pattern as he grew into adulthood. He regrets that he fell victim to this lifestyle for a period of time, but his life changed when he had a spiritual experience that redirected the course of his life. As a result of this experience, he found new purpose in church involvement and actively caring for the disadvantaged around him. He found that some were receptive to these acts of care, while others were quite hostile. Andrei was not a member of the Orthodox Church, and was therefore considered a heretic by many who adhered to national traditions. He calmly relates that he was even beaten and stoned for his beliefs - a horror that he later found was to positively change the fate of his entire family.

Andrei, his wife, and his three children lived their lives as best they could in this environment. However, Andrei's heart was breaking as he envisioned his children's future. In particular, he was concerned for his firstborn son, who suffers from mental retardation and epilepsy. In Moldova, such children were denied education and often abandoned by parents who could neither tolerate nor afford them. He heard that there were special programs available for such children in the United States and dreamed that one day he might be able to provide special care for his son. As fate would have it, he found that his entire family was approved to resettle in the United States due to the targeted oppression Andrei had suffered.

Andrei's case was processed with the help of Catholic Charities in Indianapolis. His sister, who had married a man from America and moved to Indianapolis, filed a family petition with the assistance of resettlement staff. When Andrei and his family arrived in Indianapolis, they brought with them only a few suitcases and the hope for a new life.

Services provided by Catholic Charities resettlement staff began by greeting them at the airport upon arrival and taking them to their new apartment. Over the next few months, Andrei and his family were connected to all necessary resources to start their lives again, including assistance with food, financial support, medical appointments, welfare, English classes, disability resources, employment training and even finding jobs. Additionally, all of Andrei's children were enrolled in school, including his son who had previously been unable to attend. Andrei became teary-eyed while recounting it all - he said, "People are so giving here."

Andrei is currently working as an administrative specialist for a local company, and is delighted to provide for his family. He expressed his deep gratitude for the services provided by Catholic Charities, and when asked how he feels about his new life here, he paused for a moment, smiled, and simply offered, "It's great."

The Land of the Free And the Home of the Brave…

We wish you could meet Jack.

Jack enlisted in the military after high school and was sent overseas to serve in the Middle East. Upon his return, Jack settled in Terre Haute to complete his nursing degree. He initially came to Ryves Youth Center (a program center for Catholic Charities in Terre Haute) as a volunteer through the Indiana State University’s Martin Luther King Day, and that one day of service soon turned into an on-going relationship. It was clear that Jack had spent time in the military – he was quiet but seemed to enjoy our young preschoolers, and they him. Jack came to see the preschool kids several times each week and even interned at Ryves during his senior year.

Not long after his graduation, Jack returned to active duty and was stationed at a hospital in San Antonio, Texas. But, the children at Ryves remain firmly planted in Jack’s heart. We have been blessed to receive letters from Jack, and we’d like to share a brief excerpt from one of those letters:

“Since I don’t have any children of my own, I guess I ended up sort of adopting the children [at Ryves] into my own heart…Often, even though I was trying to help them and teach them something, I felt as if it was they who were teaching me.”

Today, we celebrate not only our nation’s birth and freedom, but men like Jack. Jack is an excellent role model for the children at Ryves – living by his Christian values and displaying the character that our children need to grow up into a positive adult.

Men like Jack are the reason we celebrate this county as the land of the free and the home of the brave. We thank you, Jack, for not only your service to our country but also for living a life that truly displays love for others in a meaningful way.

May you have a Happy 4^th of July!

Hope For Julia

At Catholic Charities, we help men, women, and children who come from a variety of different backgrounds and struggles, all in need of help and hope – all living in fear. Julia was no different when she came to Catholic Charities.

Julia's earliest memories involved witnessing her mother's daily drug use. During her childhood, Julia was removed from her mother’s custody on multiple occasions, only to hear endless promises that her mother would get clean – but it never lasted long. The cycle repeated itself until, at age 17, Julia decided she was tired of dealing with her mother's drug use and the havoc that it was wreaking on her life. 

Julia moved in with her aunt, who recently had become a new mother. With no guarantees of how long she would be able to stay, Julia was grateful for the escape even if it would be short-lived.

Shortly after turning 18, Julia found herself pregnant by a man who no longer wanted anything to do with her or their unborn child. As she reached the final term of her pregnancy, Julia’s aunt became pregnant with her second child and told Julia there was no longer room for her. Homeless, afraid, and nearing the end of her pregnancy, Julia came to St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities for help.

Despite the many struggles she had faced, Julia was able to maintain excellent grades and graduate as an honor student from her high school. But because her mother had never paid book fees, Julia faced the embarrassment and disappointment of not being allowed to graduate with her class. Despite getting a job, she had no clothing, bedding, or supplies to take care of her new baby. Julia felt hopeless and afraid. 

But Catholic Charities would soon provide help and create hope for Julia that changed the future for her and her newborn child. Thanks to a recent grant from the Zonta Foundation, Julia received financial assistance to pay her book fees in time; and through generous donations within the community, Julia was also given the necessary supplies she needed to care for her baby.
In May, Julia graduated with honors and now has what she needs to care for herself and her baby. She has also begun personal counseling to deal with the issues of her past. Julia is excited about what the future has to hold for herself and her baby thanks to the hope that was created by Catholic Charities.

Living Without Fear

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10

So often we look at what is happening in the here and now instead of focusing on the eternal home God is preparing for us in heaven.

What is it that stands in the way of us having an eternal perspective? Something we may not often consider to be a factor tops the list…fear.

We are often afraid we won’t have enough to take care of our families and ourselves if we live “all out” for God. We wonder if God will lead us down harsh roads and ask us to carry overwhelming crosses as He did our Savior. We fear the consequences of a completely Godward life. And so we build houses for now…and hope for the eternal mansion down the road.

Catholic Charities serves its families with an eternal perspective. Many of the families that come through our doors are living in fear. Although it is a different fear than most of us experience day-to-day, they do the same as we do – building “homes” for right now. They struggle to see beyond this moment because of fear.

However, in Christ we can find the strength to move past the fear and live with hope. We can even endure sacrifice, toil, pain, and loss with a calm confidence that our current circumstances are not our future – that our home is not this planet.

We serve a God that gives us an eternal hope without fear of the future because He will not abandon us – and neither will Catholic Charities.

Nothing to Fear

It’s only natural to feel overwhelmed, afraid, and vulnerable. In those times, we question our strength and our ability to make it through. When trials come, our reaction is often one of fear and doubt that God can help us.

King David was no stranger to conflict or fear. His understanding of God’s strength and sovereignty did not come by pure thought, but rather, it came by experience. We see this multiple times throughout the Psalms, but specifically in Psalm 27:1-5.

The Lord is my light and my salvation—
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life— 

      of whom shall I be afraid?

When the wicked advance against me
    to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes
    who will stumble and fall.
Though an army besiege me,
    my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
    even then I will be confident.

One thing I ask from the Lord,
    this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
    and to seek him in his temple.

For in the day of trouble
    he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
    and set me high upon a rock.

When David proclaims in verse 1 that the Lord is his light and salvation, the stronghold of his life, he can make such claims only because of personal experience – times when he was forced to either lean on God or wither away in despair.

The truth of God’s strength is learned during times of vulnerability, and yes, even trials. When fear overtakes us, it is an opportunity to choose in whom we will place our trust. Will we learn to rely on ourselves or God? When we rely on God in our weakness and fear, he fills us with hope, strength, and peace.

David learned that when enemies and challenges come – our confidence comes from God alone.  Are you in agreement with David today?

When you’re afraid, take refuge in God, for He will keep you safe, strong, and whole – no matter what battles come. We have nothing to fear if God is our strength.