In the parable of the loaves and fishes, Jesus says to the Apostles, “There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves” (Mt 14:16). His message is clear: We are called to reach out to others in need and share what we have. The more we open our hearts to others, the more God equips us to give. At Catholic Charities, we work each day to live into the mission of charity and into our purpose: to witness a message of mercy and hope to a world in need. As part of that calling, we work with humility to open our hearts to others ever more widely. So, in our strategic plan, Vision 2030, we are challenging ourselves to more fully embrace our calling to welcome — to welcome deeply, with arms open wide, without reserve, in a spirit of joy and abundance. Hundreds of thousands of people in Cook and Lake counties grapple daily with material poverty. And many of these same people, as well as thousands more, struggle with spiritual poverty — the pain of loneliness and isolation. As U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy reported in 2023, loneliness and isolation have reached epidemic proportions. Murthy and other doctors report that they are encountering increasing numbers of people who feel “isolated, invisible and insignificant.” Murthy writes that, even when people can’t “put their finger on the word ‘lonely,’ people of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds, from every corner of the country,” tell us, “‘I have to shoulder all of life’s burdens by myself,’ ‘if I disappear tomorrow, no one will even notice.’” Loneliness is not only the absence of social interaction. It is an emotional experience that can happen even in a crowded room. It stems from a longing for true connection, not just surface words, for meaningful community and enduring relationships. In their absence, over time we lose track of a piece of ourselves and the inherent sense of worth that comes from belonging. Research shows that loneliness can be particularly acute among vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, the disabled or those facing social stigmatization. Earlier this year, Cardinal Cupich, too, lifted up loneliness as one of the biggest challenges facing our country. In a panel discussion, he encouraged us all, as people of faith, to address the poverty of loneliness “by helping people build connections, by letting them know they count — that they’re part of the table of life.” Welcoming people to the table of life is a beautiful image. It reminds us that welcome is not just physical, but psychological, and it’s something people of faith are called to open ourselves to daily. We are called to look for ways to share and multiply “our fishes and loaves.” Offering welcome requires intentionality and focus. It requires overcoming our own troubles, exhaustion and distractions to be present to each person we meet. It asks us to look upon them with hope, to embrace the discovery and delight that come in stepping outside our own cares. A spirit of welcome beckons to us to be curious about and engage with the stories and cares of another. It happens when we offer others not just a seat to rest in and a meal to eat, but also the joy that comes in conversation when we are each truly seen and heard. So, our prayer at Catholic Charities this fall is simple: God, make us people who welcome deeply, who bring others to the table of life. Help us to build programs, environments, and hearts where a spirit of acceptance, curiosity, joy, and rest might flourish. In this work, we are inspired by poet John O’Donohue, who wrote in “From a New Home”: May this be a place of shelter for you ... May all the weight of the world Fall from your shoulders. May your heart be tranquil here, Blessed by peace the world cannot give. May this be a safe place Full of understanding and acceptance, Where you can be as you are, Without the need of a mask Of pretense or image.
About the Author Sally Blount is president and CEO of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago.