Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

Within the community of believers there can never be room for a poverty that denies anyone what is needed for a dignified life. ~Deus Caritas Est, Pope Benedict XVI, 2005, #20

Throughout the Scriptures, Jesus spends time with the sick and outcast, revealing a special love for those most in need. God created this world for love, and we were created to love God and our neighbor. It’s as simple and difficult as that.
The 4^th Catholic Social Teaching theme, Option for the Poor and Vulnerable, encourages us to imitate Christ’s love for the poor by working to create a society where the needs of the poor are always considered first.

When we enter into the lives and the struggles of the poor and vulnerable, we experience Jesus’ presence in a real and powerful way. A basic moral test is to look at how our most vulnerable members are doing. We need to remember persons who are elderly, disabled, marginalized, vulnerable, formerly incarcerated, or otherwise discriminated against or disadvantaged. Under this principle fall issues such as addiction, mental health, healthcare, and systems that perpetuate poverty.

As followers of Christ, we are challenged to make a fundamental “option for the poor” — to speak for the voiceless, to defend the defenseless, to assess lifestyles, policies, and social institutions in terms of their impact on the poor. This “option for the poor” does not mean pitting one group against another, but rather, strengthening the whole community by assisting those who are the most vulnerable. As Christians, we are called to respond to the needs of all our brothers and sisters, but those with the greatest needs require the greatest response. ~Economic Justice for All, U.S. Catholic Bishops, 1986, #16

Many ministries here at St. Hubert are doing what God wants us to do: to love God and love our neighbor. All of us are being called to open our hearts to all God’s children, especially those who are in most need of our assistance. In many cases, they may have no one else to turn to for help.

The St. Hubert Helping Hands ministry consists of a group of parishioners who volunteer to help others in need. If someone has difficulty with everyday chores or are unable to help themselves with occasional things that come up, they may receive free help if available, such as housework, yard work, driving to church or appointments, painting, etc.

If you would be interested in volunteering for our Helping Hands ministry or need any assistance, please visit the St. Hubert website for more information.

In teaching us charity, the Gospel instructs us in the preferential respect due to the poor and the special situation they have in society: the more fortunate should renounce some of their rights so as to place their goods more generously at the service of others. 

~Octogesima Adveniens, Pope Paul VI, 1971, #23
The Helping Hands Ministry Team