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A Message from the Executive Director,
Monsignor Gregory A. Cox
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On May 14th, Monsignor Gregory Cox, Executive Director of Catholic Charities, spoke on behalf of the thousands of clients who are served each year by the agency at the Community Rally Against Poverty in California, held at Los Angeles City Hall.
The following is an excerpt from his speech:
“George Washington Carver won international fame in agricultural research, developing products from such crops as peanuts, sweet potatoes, and pecans. He went to Tuskegee Institute in 1896 and discovered that the farmer of the South needed more than cotton. He convinced them that the peanut would be a good alternate crop. But soon it became evident that there was no market for the peanut. The farmers were indignant. Carver was beside himself; he needed a solution for the surplus. Later he told, in his own inimitable way, of the help he received early one morning in the woods.
‘Oh, Mr. Creator, why did you make this universe?’ I cried. And the creator answered me. ‘You want to know too much for that mind of yours,’ He said, ‘ask me something more your size.’ So I said, ‘Dear Mr. Creator, tell me what man was made for.’ Again He spoke to me and He said, ‘You are still asking for more than you can handle. Cut down the extent of your request and improve the intent.’ And then I asked my last question. ‘Mr. Creator, why did you make the peanut?’ ‘That’s better!’ the Lord said, and He gave me a handful of peanuts and went with me back to the laboratory and, together, we got down to work. Before Carver died in 1943, there were well over 300 products made from the little peanut--mayonnaise, instant coffee, chili sauce, shampoo, polish, plastics, and many, many more. ‘Together, we got down to work.’
When George Washington Carver was given a handful of peanuts, he used the gift of his mind plus his determination to focus on resolving the presenting problems facing him. That same spirit is needed in addressing the issue of poverty in Los Angeles. Collaboration, education and commitment are the tools of our success.
If I may change a few words of George Washington Carver’s reflection and apply it to us this afternoon as our prayer:
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| Speakers at the Community Rally Against Poverty in California were, left to right, Timothy Watkins, Watts Labor Community Action Center, Monsignor Cox and Bishop William T. Ervin, Sr., Pastor of the One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism Church. |
‘Oh, Creator, how can we eliminate world poverty?’ we cry. And the Creator answers us. ‘You want to know too much for that mind of yours.’ He says, ‘ask me something more your size.’ So we say, ‘Dear Creator, tell us how to alleviate poverty in the United States.’ Again He speaks to us and says, ‘You are still asking for more than you can handle. Cut down the extent of your request and improve the intent.’ And then we ask our last question. ‘Creator, how can we resolve poverty in California?’ ‘That’s better!’ the Lord says, and He gives us a handful of resources and goes with us to our organizations and communities and, together, we will get down to work.” |
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