CATHOLIC CHARITIES 2007 Annual Report

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Responding to Ever-Changing Needs
�e call to serve others in need is explicitly stated in Catholic Charities’ mission
statement, and has acted as the guiding principle behind the
programs and assistance provided by the agency since 1920.
�is annual report reflects Catholic Charities’ activities,
advocacy and service during 2007. Some services have been
provided by the agency since its inception; other programs
are newly launched, responding to the ever-changing needs of
clients. Whether long-standing or freshly initiated, all of the
agency’s services are expanding and re-orienting their goals -beyond
meeting basic needs towards transforming lives.
�ese challenging times, and social justice, call for no less.
With the increasing number of hard-working persons living on the margins of
poverty, Catholic Charities is positioning itself to be more accessible and efficient
in serving poor and vulnerable populations while striving to more nimbly and
appropriately respond to emerging needs and changing demographics.
But a 187-employee agency cannot alone provide services for the whole ten-county
Archdiocese; it needs to ask others to contribute to the mission. Catholic Charities
is grateful for those who have served clients and the agency itself -- program
volunteers and companions, Board members, student interns, in-kind and financial
benefactors, and all those who pray for clients, staff and the agency.
John Kordsmeier,
Chair of Catholic Charities’
Board of Trustees
on the poor and vulnerable.
Hannah C. Dugan,
Executive Director
“Will you come and follow me
if I but call your name?”
�ese words begin one of my favorite hymns, “�e
Summons”, written by John L. Bell in 1987.
�e need to answer the “�e Call,” embedded throughout
the seven principles of Catholic Social Teaching,
is embraced at Catholic Charities as our core values.
One of those principles,“Call to Family, Community, and
Participation” seems especially relevant to our daily work.
Our programs serve many in need, with a special focus
�at being said, we cannot continue this much-needed work unless each of you
continues to answer “�e Call.” And everyone has the means to do just that,
because the call can be answered in so many ways.
I ask first that you pray for those in need, for the work of the Church and Catholic
Charities in ministering to those in need, and for all those who live the principles
of Catholic Social Teaching through their dedicated service to others.
Secondly, I ask that you answer the call in your daily lives by serving those in need
among your family, parish, local and global community.
Finally, because God has blessed us with great abundance, I ask that you support
the work of Catholic Charities financially. �e need is limitless, and the ability of
Catholic Charities to serve those in need is proportional to your willingness to help.
�ankyouforyourpastgenerosity,yourprayersandyourownactionsin
service to others.