“Poverty in the world is a scandal. In a world where there is so much wealth, so many resources to feed everyone, it is unfathomable that there are so many hungry children, that there are so many children without an education, so many poor persons.” Pope Francis, 2013

Anti Poverty week is a time to consider our brothers and sisters who do not enjoy the freedoms of life as we do.

FOOD

Things such as:

MEDICINE DOCTORS OR HOSPITALS

870 million people are ‘food insecure’ 7.6 million children die before their 5 th birthday 390 000 children infected with HIV in one year

EDUCATION SCHOOL

61 million children unable to access education

WATER

783 million without access to clean drinking water

Preferential option for the poor teaches us to work with the poorest people towards a fairer society.

Where all people have a fair share of the gifts of God’s creation.

All of us here have access to more resources than 80% of the world

How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses to help?

(1 John 3:17)

“We are all really responsible for each other.”

Pope John Paul II

“Poverty today is a cry.

We all have to think if we can become a little poorer, all of us have to do this. How can I become a little poorer in order to be more like Jesus, who was the poor Teacher?” Pope Francis, 2013

Pope Francis’ words and choices remind us to be humble…

His choices remind us to think of the poor Deciding not to wear fancy and expensive clothes and accessories just because it was expected.

Pope Francis has shown solidarity with the poor.

Riding the bus with everyone else while he lived in Argentina

Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said,

"You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”

When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.

Mark 10:21-22

Humility helps us remember:

To focus on what is important To work to help others

Together we have already done some great things!

With your support to Caritas, communities like these have been helped!

Together, we can build a more just and fair world.

We can still do more!

Proverbs 19:17 He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.

Remember:

Compassionate Kind Just Thankful Generous Humble Aware Caring

A PRAYER

Prayer for the poor by Mother Theresa

Make us worthy, Lord, to serve those people throughout the world who live and die in poverty and hunger. Give them through our hands, this day, their daily bread, and by our understanding love, give them peace and Joy.

Amen

Picture Credits:

Slide 3: Caritas Australia Slide 4: Caritas Australia Slide 5: Caritas Australia, http://www.homelessnessaustralia.org.au/index.php/about-homelessness/fact-sheets Slide 6: Caritas Australia Slide 7: Paul Jeffrey for Caritas Internationalis, Caritas Australia, Paul Jeffrey for Caritas Internationalis Slide 8: Caritas Australia

Slide 9:

http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/33551/slide_33551_308918_free.jpg?1362319752000

Slide 10: Caritas Australia Slide 11: AFP http://www.smh.com.au/world/comfortable-win-for-pope-francis-whose-thoughts-turned-to-poor-during-final-vote 20130317-2g8ry.html

Slide 12:

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02541/pope-francis_2541160b.jpg

Slide 13: CNS, http://d2jkk5z9de9jwi.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/domus_thisone-440x275.jpg

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQO9V3I13GcUaDonoBxJxFF7QoEu5zdih93JVrqNiQYLbh3hCgNgA AFP / ALBERTO PIZZOLI, http://resources0.news.com.au/images/2013/06/29/1226671/949760-vatican-pope-mass-harley.jpg

Slide 14:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ls4NX0z2IaQ/Ue23qix18FI/AAAAAAAALRM/R-0bHEemkyE/s400/Pope+in+Rio.jpg

Reuters, http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2013/3/15/1363378203376/Pope-Francis-on-bus-010.jpg

Slide 15:

http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/33551/slide_33551_308815_free.jpg?1362319752000

Slide 17: Caritas Australia Annual Report 2012 Slide 18: Caritas Australia Annual Report 2012 Slide 19: Paul Jeffrey for Caritas Internationalis. Caritas Australia, Cindy Godden, Richard Wainwright, Slide 20: Caritas Australia, Paul Jeffrey for Caritas Internationalis, Cindy Godden, Wayne Quilliam Last updated August 2013