“Pope Francis established the day in 2016 to remind all people that the poor are “at the heart of the Gospel” and that to believe in Jesus Christ means to respect and care for the poor. Pope Francis wanted the World Day of the Poor to be celebrated with real actions in favor of the poor in churches worldwide on this day every year. (November 16th) He established it as a permanent annual event in the church’s liturgical calendar to emphasize that the poor must be integrated into the one community of the church.”
On November 21st, the Buffalo Ladies of Charity marked our 9th World Day of the Poor; bringing together almost 100 volunteers to assemble “Holiday Gift Bags” to be distributed through our Catholic Charities (CCWNY) partners to those who are homebound or served by a CCWNY Food Pantry.
While some of the items were purchased with our Christmas donation monies, many, many were hand-made by our members and friends from throughout our diocese – a testament to the caring attitude of our Buffalo church community; especially our Ladies of Charity! For the past several months, groups have made quilts, collected new bath towels in their parish families, made Christmas tags, crocheted/knitted scarves, hearts, baskets and stockings, and repurposed plastic hangers and old tshirts into a beautifully decorated hanger.
The event itself, held at the Russell Salvatore Food Pantry in Lackawanna was filled with prayer and spiritual reflection led by Holly Walter and Beverly Sikora. Everyone in attendance could feel the connection to each other and to those who will receive our 500 gift bags.
We are blessed to have each other in our lives and blessed to be able to provide these Holiday Gift Bags to those in need
Thank you to everyone who made a donation of time and treasure, and Thank You for all your prayers! May God Bless you all, and may God Bless the Poor!
