September 2004

Dear Friends:

Bridget was a middle-aged woman who cleaned offices in a large building after hours. Late one evening, she was walking from work to her car when a man reached out from a building and snatched her purse. Bridget has a tight hold, so she pulled it back. Back and forth she and the robber pulled the purse until, finally, with her free arm Bridget swung round as she muttered: “O Lord.”  She caught the robber under the chin and knocked him out. She pumped her burly frame on his chest and screamed until a security officer came.

In this half-humorous story there is a suggestion for our daily lives. Like Bridget, we need to take some action along with our prayer. We need, for instance, to think of the needs of other people and address them with our time and resources.

Catholic Charities provides society the opportunity to reach out to those who have been robbed of their dignity and self-esteem. In the three counties of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Ventura, there are over 85,000 homeless people without a place to sleep on any given night. Catholic charities has community centers and shelters in these counties to be the safety net for those who fall through the cracks of society.

The annual report is an attempt by Catholic Charities not only to give you a program and financial update of our work during the fiscal year 2003-2004 but also to show the human face of Catholic Charities. Hundreds of people, contributing faithfully behind the scenes, are the ones who enable Catholic Charities to serve those, who – for whatever reason – are struggling to survive.

Catholic Charities is grateful to all who translate their faith into action through our programs. May the Board, staff, volunteers and benefactors of Catholic Charities be infinitely blessed for their generosity.

Sincerely,

Rev. Monsignor Gregory A. Cox
Executive Director