"When one is poor, she has no say in public, she feels inferior. She has no food, so there is famine in her house; no clothing, and no progress in her family." - a woman from Uganda (from http://www.worldbank.org/poverty/voices/listen-findings.htm)
     For many, the Christmas season is a time of abundance - of goodwill, high emotions, stress, family time, and joy. It is in the midst of this abundance that we are more mindful of the needs of others and often the desire to take action is ever more insistent. One of the seven major Catholic social teachings instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable at the fore of our actions. The deprivation and powerlessness of the poor affects every aspect of our community lives. Our need to act is clear.
     The St. Francis parish community already shares the bounty of the Lord with  those who need what they don't have. From laboring to build a home through the Habitat for Humanity program to filling box upon box with special treasures for the giving tree, the people of our community have taken action to respond to areas of need. What more can be done?
     Whether viewed from a global perspective or from the level of our own community, the impact of poverty affects us all. To act competently, however, it is fundamental to understand what poverty is.  If poverty or "the poor" are viewed simply through popular assumptions or unexamined beliefs, poverty issues cannot be adequately addressed. Consider whom you might define as poor. What measurements and evaluations did you use to conclude that? Do you know what they or we, as individuals or as a group, need? What can you as one person or one small group do to address the concerns of the identified group? What kinds of poverty challenges will take an entire community, legislative action, or country policy to empower the vulnerable? 
     Not all conditions of poverty are involuntary. Some choose the life of poverty for a number of reasons. What are the advantages of a life of poverty? Others, through income changes, family needs, or medical crises have poverty thrust upon them. Still others are born into a legacy of impossible debt or in a place where hierarchical greed consumes most resources. Ask yourself: of these conditions, where is the need greatest; what priority am I called to address first?

      To do:

• Explore your biases about the poor, the vulnerable, and poverty in general.
• Tour poverty strongholds and record your observations.
• Be mindful of the consequences of poverty (hunger, illness, crime, etc.).
• Be a mentor to someone trying to get out of a poverty situation.
• Read biographies and stories of those who have given a voice to the concerns of the poor (ie. Mother Theresa, Jimmy Carter).
• Email me at christine@billick.net and tell me how you define poverty and what issues you see as the greatest concern. Please share some of the things you have done to alleviate the issues of poverty.Tell me too if your comments might go on our peace and justice website at: stfrancisa2.com/socialministry/peaceandjustice.htm