RIVERSIDE—This Sunday, Catholic Relief Services joined forces with the Social Justice Committee from St. Catherine of Siena Church (SCSC) in Riverside for an enlightening presentation by CRS’s Kevin Hartigan. Hartigan, based out of Cairo, has been with CRS for 28 years and is the Regional Director for the Middle East, Europe and Central Asia. He oversees roughly 800 staff implementing emergency response and development programs in roughly 20 countries.
A group of about 80 people attended this event to learn about “the Catholic Church’s role in aiding and healing war victims in the Middle East”. The event began with a delightful lunch graciously prepared and served buffet style by the Social Justice Committee. All gathered enjoyed it and were grateful to have time for camaraderie.
Hartigan’s 20-minute presentation, with impressive photos, was followed by 40 minutes of Q&A. The Social Justice Committee placed jars in the middle of each table suggesting a donation to Catholic Relief Services, which was a nice surprise to all attending.
Msgr. Alan F. Detscher, pastor of St. Catherine of Siena closed the event with some touching words validating the good work of CRS, and how impressive it is that 94% of CRS’ spending goes directly to operating expense.
Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas.
They are motivated by the Gospel of Jesus Christ to cherish, preserve and uphold the sacredness and dignity of all human life, foster charity and justice, and embody Catholic social and moral teaching as they act to: promote human development by responding to major emergencies, fighting disease and poverty, and nurturing peaceful and just societies; and, serve Catholics in the United States as they live their faith in solidarity with their brothers and sisters around the world.
As part of the universal mission of the Catholic Church, they work with local, national and international Catholic institutions and structures, as well as other organizations, to assist people on the basis of need, not creed, race or nationality. (For more information visit: www.crs.org.)
