Natural Cycles
- Brian Estes, Jesuit Volunteer
Already Thanksgiving, the season has assuredly changed, and with it the appearance of the Vinegar Flats garden. The shift I did not expect, however, was the one that occurred internally; the season which I once understood to plunder has revealed to me a deeper purpose in the decay. By the middle of September, both the garden and I were weary. In fact, while I cannot speak for the garden, I was not only weary, I was close to exhausted. Autumn may have snuck up on us, but it also came just in time. The garden lies fallow, and all around fallen leaves and “dead” plant matter begin a slow rot into the soil—after a season of taking from the ground, this death is its needed rebirth. So I too, have been able to rest—taking a vacation—my first 48-plus consecutive hours off since I began my work at the garden in April. I have turned indoors, returned to old relationships and to relationship building at St. Margaret’s and in our vibrant community here in Spokane. While I lie fallow, a part of the oft-ignored other harvest—the soil’s season of return to itself—I begin the quiet cycle of regeneration and preparation, moving patiently toward the sowing and reaping of the sunny season soon to come.
Will We Crash With the Economy?
Rob McCann, Executive Director
A lot of people have asked me about how the economy is affecting Catholic Charities. Obviously, the agency is not immune to the difficulties that are besieging companies and agencies. We have lost significant money in our endowment. We are tightening our belts, as are organizations throughout the nation.
Of course we didn’t have a lot of excess belt to tighten in the first place. As you may know, Catholic Charities has been awarded 4 stars for four straight years from Charities Navigator, an independent assessor, indicating that we are excellent stewards of the resources with which we are entrusted. We do our very best to make donors’ money count. We think you know that, and that that is why you continue to support our work.
But there’s another reason we continue to be supported. Studies show that people who give to charities have a sense of commonality with their beneficiaries. Sometimes that affinity is geographical, or situational, or biological (think “Women Helping Women”). As Christians, we are instructed to think of all other humans as our brothers and sisters in Christ. It’s affinity by species. That leaves us open to responding to any other homo sapiens in need. It’s treating everyone as our neighbor.
This is the credo that will carry us through. Just as our clients and donors believe in us, we believe in them. We’re there for the people who need us. So is everyone who donates to Catholic Charities, through us. Many, many thanks to all our donors, on behalf of those in jeopardy in Eastern Washington.
Are you spiritual or religious?
Rob McCann, Executive Director
These days it’s pretty common to hear someone explain that he or she is “spiritual, but not religious.” I’m not always sure what this comment means, and I don’t think that everyone who says it means the same thing.
One thing I think it’s intended to mean is that the person doesn’t subscribe to a particular religion, but believes in the general principles that make someone a good or kind person. Or the person has a sense of the presence of Something Bigger, but is not comfortable calling it God. Or maybe the person wants his or her beliefs to be flexible rather than to take the shape of hardened doctrine or dogma.
Or maybe the person means something else, and I don’t know what it is. Sometimes I wonder if this kind of distinction is a way to keep from making a commitment, either to a specific creed or to specific behavior. Nobody wants to take the emotion out of religion, but neither do we want to see the basis for our faith reduced to a warm feeling that doesn’t necessarily bear fruit in the world.
How do you define yourself religiously? What are your thoughts on this matter?
Talk to us!
Rob McCann, Executive Director
Welcome to Catholic Charities Spokane’s first blog post! All of us here at Catholic Charities are excited about our next great step into the world of technology and communication in the modern era. It’s good to be here with you. On this, our first day, I want to talk about our hopes and dreams for this site. I hope you’ll have something to say in response.
As a social service agency, we watch how the needs in our community change. With something like Hurricane Katrina, emergency services come to the fore. When people lose their low-income housing, finding places for them to stay becomes paramount. When the heavy snow hits, we’re there with our shovels to help seniors and disabled people. Needs shift with circumstances, but it’s always there. Our obligation and our privilege is to be there in response, and to adapt that response to the need.
This blog is an example of an adapting response. People have thoughts and opinions they’d like to share. They want to have a say in how their donations are spent. They have perspectives that are valuable. This blog offers them a forum, and will help us make sure we’re working in collaboration—one of the four Catholic Charities values.The idea of a blog is also part of our continuing effort to reach out to younger generations and new demographic groups. The more people that we can get excited about the incredible story that is our work, the more we can do to advocate for and serve the poorest of the poor.
Got a topic you’d like to see addressed? Questions you want answered? Please post comments to the blog. You can do so anonymously, by simply putting “anonymous” in the Name field, or you can sign it if you prefer. So: Ready, set, send us a comment! Click on “Add comment” below and let us know what you think.
Rob McCann, Executive Director
Note: Comments will not appear immediately, as all comments will be moderated. Published comments will appear as written. Please be patient and do not resubmit — we’ll be responsive as quickly as we can!