Each month, I try to take time to wander different parts of the Diocese of Columbus in an attempt to learn the stories of those we serve at Catholic Social Services. These encounters are life giving and inspiring.
During this Jubilee Year, we are called to be Pilgrims of Hope. The theme is rooted in the phrase “hope does not disappoint” from St. Paul’s letter to the Romans.
Reflecting on this passage in a broader context, we read that we would do well to “boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint.” (Rom 5:3-5). Hope clearly does not disappoint, and I would like to share three recent encounters as evidence of the power of hope that is transmitted through “helping” another in their time of need.
Why me?
It’s a Friday, almost 5 p.m., and you are in a hurry. Okay … I’m in a hurry to get to an event on time or risk being unfashionably late. As I am pumping gas, the voice of a stranger from the distance caught me off guard.
“Hello sir, could you help me out?” My general response when faced with a random need on the street is that “I’m sorry that I don’t have any cash to offer you, but my name is Kelley, what is your name?” Sometimes this results in a conversation about trial, other times an opportunity to offer prayer, and occasionally it is a short dismissal of what might be perceived as false concern.
On this occasion, it resulted in a short conversation about the hard knocks that life can deliver. After a gas station sandwich and a soda was exchanged, we parted ways with a brief sense of encounter as neighbors. What could have been a “why me?” frustration actually made my day. It is in the little moments that, despite our struggles, God can slow things down with a smile.
What now?
Last month, I spent some time with festival goers at the annual ¡Festival Latino! celebration in downtown Columbus. The gathering did not disappoint with great food, great entertainment and really amazing vendors.
This festival is extra special to us at Catholic Social Services because many of the vendors at this annual celebration are graduates from a small business incubator we operate at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Center on the west side. This incubator launched in fall 2023, and since has helped over 50 entrepreneurs bring their ideas to market and hopefully break the cycle of struggle for their families.
My Español is limited, “muy poquito” is more accurate, but there was a common language of gratitude in the air. Congratulating the new vendors for this year and also stopping in to see vendors from recent years was inspiring. When faced with the choice of low wages and long hours to simply survive, the question of “what now?” can become “why not?!” when given an opportunity. Hope in a better future can propel even the most difficult choices forward.
Why together?
Catholic Social Services recently launched a new parish-based ministry called “Super Neighbor” to reach more people struggling with isolation and loneliness. This initiative was launched partly in response to how funding priorities for aging populations is changing, and a hope that faithful Catholics would show up to support the growing needs.
Another initiative running parallel to this relies on the support from older adults to visit with their peers in return for a modest stipend and travel reimbursement. We recently hosted a town hall to answer questions about a reduction in funding from the federal government and its impact on their participation. To my surprise, most of the program participants wanted to find a way to continue serving their neighbors despite the loss of funding.
During lunch, many shared that their time with others was healing for them as well, and that our ministry makes these relationships possible for them. I thought my job that day was to console them during a period of change, but instead they ministered to me about how we do this together or not at all.
As a wanderer in search of encounters, I am always left in awe with the resiliency of the human spirit. A resiliency that is strengthened by the power of hope. When faced with the loss of everything, hope is often what remains. We embrace this hope as an act of faith, or an act of desperation, only to quickly realize that hope does not disappoint. Now off to the next encounter …
Learn more about getting involved with Catholic Social Services at www.colscss.org
Related to: Catholic Social Services launches ‘Super Neighbor’ volunteer initiative