Pope Francis: First World Day of the Poor
In his message for the first World Day of the Poor, to be celebrated on 19 November this year Pope Francis issues an invitation to:
” the whole Church, and men and women of good will everywhere, to turn their gaze on this day to all those who stretch out their hands and plead for our help and solidarity. They are our brothers and sisters, created and loved by the one Heavenly Father. This Day is meant, above all, to encourage believers to react against a culture of discard and waste, and to embrace the culture of encounter. At the same time, everyone, independent of religious affiliation, is invited to openness and sharing with the poor through concrete signs of solidarity and fraternity. God created the heavens and the earth for all; yet sadly some have erected barriers, walls and fences, betraying the original gift meant for all humanity, with none excluded.”
Pope Francis, 13 June 2017
CSAN in collaboration with SVP (England and Wales), NJPN, CAFOD, have produced resources to support parishes and groups as they consider how best to become a ‘Church of the Poor’