Catholic Charities

“We’re giving them a reminder that this isn’t a Washington problem. We’re reminding people it’s also your local communities that are being affected,” Lucas Swanepoel, vice president for social policy at Catholic Charities USA, told CNS.

The Stumpfs and their family, who will be wearing coordinating blue shirts at the event, have planned a variety of activities. The day begins with Mass at 11 a.m. with Bishop Donald Kettler, followed by a speaker, Michelle Litke, who is a teacher at Holy Trinity School in Pierz and a cancer survivor.

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud will have two staff members with offices at the new Pathways 4 Youth, an opportunity center opening in February to serve homeless youth between 16 and 23 years old.

After more than 10 years as Catholic Charities’ director of social concerns, Kathy Langer said it is “with a tear and a smile” that she will transition into retirement at the end of October.

Representatives from parish social justice teams around the diocese came together Oct. 14 at Seven Dolors Church in Albany to share stories and ideas about bringing communities together to focus on social concerns.

Christ calls believers to welcome migrants and refugees “with arms wide open, ready to give a sincere, affectionate, enveloping embrace,” Pope Francis said, launching the “Share the Journey” campaign of Catholic charities around the world.

Bishop Donald Kettler presided at Mass during this year’s Catholic Charities Rural Life Celebration at the Joe and Toni Borgerding farm near Belgrade Aug. 13.

The theme for this year’s Rural Life Celebration is “Caring for God’s Creation: Sharing in the Stewardship of God’s Country,” something the Joe and Toni Borgerding family have been working on for over 40 years.