This weekend marks the 100th Anniversary of Catholic Charities USA. I would like to share with you my personal experience with this organization while I served in a parish in Los Angeles. St. Francis of Assisi parish is located in the Silverlake district of Los Angeles, just east of Hollywood. I was associate pastor and then pastor from 1991-2001.
Silverlake is a mixed region of apartments and small family residences along the Sunset Boulevard corridor and wealthy homes in the hills. Most of the parishioners of St. Francis live near Sunset Boulevard. There are numbers of families living in apartments who struggle for their livelihood.
Not far from our parish was the Hollywood office of Catholic Charities. In those years Mrs. Fe Benito was the director and our parish would often send her clients who were in need. Frequently we would send her people who needed help with their rent or utilities. She also provided families with clothing and food. There were parenting classes in both Spanish and English and she kept a counselor on staff.
One of the highlights of the year at Catholic Charities, and one which I will always remember, was the annual Christmas party. Mrs. Benito would plan the party with games, snacks, and singing. She always invited me to come and tell the Christmas story in Spanish. The stage for this was set in a hall complete with a live nativity scene. The baby who played little Jesus hopefully was sleeping throughout the performance. Otherwise things could get difficult!! It was nevertheless a high point in my pastoral life to attend this event.
A few years ago I received a call from Mrs. Benito inviting me to the Cardinal’s Awards Dinner. Having retired from Catholic Charities, she was one of five recipients of the Cardinal’s Award for exceptional service to the Church in Los Angeles. For 100 years Catholic Charities has been serving the poor regardless of race, Creed or ethnic background. Today we have an pportunity to help this organization in our collection. Please be generous.
Fr. Hildebrand
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