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October 2007 Issue
Bishop's column
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Dear Friends,
Each year on the first Sunday of October
we observe Respect Life Sunday. This observance marks
the beginning of a year long Respect Life program designed
by the United States Catholic Bishops (USCCB) to bring
church teaching on the sacredness of human life to the
attention of the Catholic community and public-at-large. |
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It further reminds us of our responsibility
to promote and to uphold the dignity of all persons through
actions that include education, charity and advocacy. I would
like to share with you the following significant activities
in these areas occurring within the diocese.
The Science of Stem Cells: Finding Cures
and Protecting Life
Here in Michigan, the bishops of the state working through
the Michigan Catholic Conference selected this October to
launch a statewide educational program, The Science of Stem
Cells: Finding Cures and Protecting Life, to educate Catholics
on the church's teaching about human life as it relates to
stem cell research. All Catholics will receive materials to
enable you to better understand both the scientific and moral
dimension of this complex issue related to the protection
of human life. Our diocesan contact person for this initiative
is Lucio Caruso (616-243-0491).
Catholic Charities West Michigan
In Pope Benedict XVI's encyclical, Deus Caritas Est, he speaks
of the "love of neighbor" and the "service of charity." He
writes: "Love of neighbor, grounded in the love of God, is
first and foremost a responsibility for each individual member
of the faithful, but it is also the responsibility for the
entire ecclesial community at every level...Only if I serve
my neighbor can my eyes be opened to what God does for me
and how much he loves me."
Throughout our 125-year history, the diocese
and parishes have established a rich tradition of responding
to the needs of people regardless of faith, race, or social
economic status. Our Catholic Social Services agencies have
contributed over 60 years of service through programs that
include foster care, adoption, counseling, advocacy, food
kitchens/pantries, and substance abuse support.
In 2006 the boards of the former diocesan
social justice department and its member agencies participated
in a governance organizational review and presented their
findings and recommendations to me. To strengthen our response
as a diocese and to further enhance existing programs, I accepted
the recommendations that have resulted in combining the former
diocesan agencies into one cohesive entity. Effective October
1, 2007 the former Catholic Social Services agencies, along
with their respective boards, staff, and offices throughout
the diocese, became Catholic Charities West Michigan (CCWM)
with divisions in Grand Rapids and Muskegon. Ms. Deborah J.
McCormack is the president/chief executive officer of Catholic
Charities West Michigan (CCWM).
This name change connects us more closely
with the nationally known and respected Catholic Charities
USA, which coordinates much of the work of charity and advocacy
for the dioceses in the United States. In recent times, the
word "charity" has been misinterpreted by some as a mere expression
of pity. Our Holy Father describes "charity" as an expression
of love which springs from the heart of Christ in service
of His people. "Charity" and "love of neighbor" are what we
are about as Catholic Christians. Through our charitable works
and educational initiatives, we continually strive to be responsive
to the Gospel mandate to cherish and uphold the sanctity and
dignity of human life from conception to natural death.
Wishing you God's every blessing,
- Bishop Walter A. Hurley is the
11th bishop of the Diocese of Grand Rapids.
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