Catholic Charities ‘a beacon of hope to those in need,’ says Archbishop Gustavo

Posted by:

Catholic News Agency

Topics:

SAN ANTONIO • Catholic Charities of the archdiocese hosted their second annual St. Nicholas Ball on Dec. 5 at La Cantera Hill Country Resort.

Highlights of the evening included live entertainment and silent auction items such as James Avery jewelry, wine tastings, Spurs tickets, hotel stays, items blessed by Pope Francis and more. The live auction featured some offerings such dinner with the Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller, MSpS, a trip to Vegas, a private home concert by David Kauffman and several surprises.
In his remarks, Archbishop Gustavo said the evening was a wonderful celebration that reflected the true spirit of the season as we prepared for Christmas.

St. Nicholas, the patron saint of our feast, was a real person, a bishop of the early church, who is believed to be the model for Santa Claus. His charity and generosity was legend, even in his own time. St. Nicholas once said, “The giver of every good and perfect gift has called upon us to mimic God’s giving, by grace, through faith, and this is not of ourselves.”
“That sums up the message we all should carry in our hearts throughout the year round,” said the archbishop. “Sadly, there are people who are hungry, homeless, fearful, and trapped in the isolation of poverty, searching for the slightest glimmer of hope in their lives every day.”

The San Antonio prelate expressed his pride in the leadership, staff, and all who support Catholic Charities’ mission that brings the light of Christ to those most in need in every season.

“Because of donors’ generosity, Catholic Charities is able to minister to tens of thousands of God’s children in our area each year. Catholic Charities does it with efficient and effective stewardship, using 92 cents of every dollar received to do the most good,” he said. “My heart is filled with gratitude for how they ‘mimic God’s giving’, following the model of the real St. Nicholas.”

Archbishop Gustavo continued, “Catholic Charities’ many programs are ministered with a spirit of faith and love, always respecting the dignity of each person they serve and empowering them to improve their lives. This is all done without regard to their gender, race, creed, or religion. It is this humble spirit that allows people to see the living Christ in their work. The men, women, children, and families served by Catholic Charities are encouraged to seek much needed help, as they are able to feel God’s love in each encounter.”

Referencing the Jubilee Year of Mercy, the archbishop told the 700 attendees that their generous giving and volunteering in support of Catholic Charities mission are a practical and loving sign of God’s mercy. “During the Year of Mercy, we can all find God’s peace in his forgiveness for our own woundedness, but we are also called to be instruments of his mercy in a world that yearns for his peace.”

The Missionary of the Holy Spirit prayed that through the works of Catholic Charities, our communities will feel God’s presence and mercy and become sanctuaries of love. “I pray that Catholic Charities’ resources will continue to grow, so that their work will witness to its calling from the Father, who is the ‘…giver of every good and perfect gift,’” he concluded.

Top sponsors for the event included: BB&T, IPAC, Frost Bank, BG Metals, Greg and Leigh Ann King, Valero, Vision Works, Winslow Ranch, Langley & Banack, Al and Liz Richter, Broadway Bank, Catholic Life Insurance, Dr. Khang and Mai Vu, Dykema, Ernst and Young, Jefferson Bank, Mays Family Foundation, Sendero Wealth Management, Shavano Family Practice, Smile Land, St. Mary’s University and WellMed.