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Serving the Vulnerable

$30M

Introduction

Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely, and the unwanted according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work.
St. Teresa of Calcutta

Ministry to the Sick and Dying

The Gospel has the power to transform lives, and in Christ, true healing is possible. As we reflect on our role as Catholics, we are called to participate in the renewal of families and our communities by ministering to those who are suffering.

Many patients and families struggle to hold onto hope in moments of greatest need. While God is certainly with them during illness or the loss of a loved one, we know the healing presence of a priest, chaplain, or lay minister has the potential to bring hope, mercy, and comfort. The sheer size of our Archdiocese and limited resources for this ministry have prohibited our ability to train and send more ministers into our communities.

Through our renewal efforts, we will strengthen and build this critical ministry, which serves a need each of us will one day experience with our loved ones.

Your Gift Will

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Spread Hope

Connect those who are ill or dying with Christ through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Communion.

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Train Lay Leaders

Prepare lay leaders to spend time with patients and families, to listen deeply, and to help sort through emotional stress.

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Hire More Chaplains

Enable the Archdiocese to hire additional chaplains and expand to a greater number of hospitals in Southern California.

Restorative Justice Ministry

The despair that exists after a crime is committed is a place of darkness for thousands of individuals and families each year. Patterns of sorrow are common: from a loss of faith in God to a rejection of hope in a restored future.

But as Catholics, we believe Jesus — who was brought to trial, crucified, buried, and brought to life again — offers hope and renewed purpose for every life. Staff and volunteers of the Restorative Justice Ministry reach out to the incarcerated and victims, as well as the families of both. They advocate for changes in the criminal justice system and strive to educate our communities, which often cannot and do not respond to Jesus’ invitation to walk with the prisoner and to comfort those who mourn.

Our efforts for renewal will increase support to the Chaplain’s Ministry, Victim’s Ministry, and Families of the Incarcerated Ministry by providing personnel and training to achieve initiatives beyond our current capabilities.

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Expand Services to the Incarcerated

Enable those affected by incarceration to walk with Jesus in the principles of love, hope, and mercy through a visitation program, including Mass and Communion services, religious education, and one-on- one spiritual support sessions.

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Comfort Those Who Mourn

Help families, often broken by crime, restore themselves and their communities to wholeness.

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Advocate for and Support Victims

Increase support to the Victim’s Ministry, which provides spiritual care, pastoral accompaniment, education on victim’s rights, group therapy sessions, and support group workshops, among other programs.

Final Quote

Some say: ‘They are guilty.’ I respond with Jesus’ words: ‘Whoever is not guilty, throw the first stone.’ Let’s look inside ourselves and we will come to see our own guilt. And then the heart will become more human.

Pope Francis