Since 2017, Catholic Christians have celebrated the Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time as World Day of the Poor. Pope Francis created this annual observance to remind us of our duty, as followers of Jesus, to care for the poor. We do that by putting the corporal and spiritual works of mercy into action.
We help the poor by remembering that poverty has both acute and chronic aspects to it. Acute needs include shelter, food, health care. Chronic needs include good educational opportunities and decent employment.
Obviously, nobody can do everything for everyone. But if we become aware of the poor, we can each do our part not only to help those in need, but also to support those who have the power and resources to eliminate the sources of poverty.
The photo shown above is of a house in the Reitocan community of Santa Cruz. Fortunately for the little family who lives here, the Rotary Passport Club 7730 were able to buy materials to get a new roof for the house.