Diocese of Wilmington Catholic Charities director Fritz Jones set to take part in Delaware’s first ‘Faith and Housing Justice’ weekend

Frederick “Fritz” Jones, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Wilmington. Dialog photo / Photo courtesy Joseph P. Owens

By Fritz Jones, Executive Director, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Wilmington Catholic Charities

As I prepared to write this op-ed article to share the excitement the Diocese of Wilmington and Catholic Charities about participating in Delaware’s first “Faith and Housing Justice” weekend scheduled for Dec. 9-11, I paused to think of the many individuals and families I have been privileged to work with during my almost 45 years of service.

I thought of the mother and her four children living in a one-bedroom apartment because it was all she could afford.

I thought of the two clients renting a garage to live in because they could not afford a decent rental home or apartment.

I thought of the many times our clients chose paying their rent but not being able to afford paying their utility bills, leading to shutoffs and eventually eviction.

I thought of the families eating two meals a day instead of three so they could afford to pay their rent.

I thought of the mom and her two children living in their car while they searched for affordable housing. And unfortunately, I could share many other examples like these.

Then I thought of the most famous, once homeless person in history. Pope Francis wrote “The Son of God came into this world as a homeless person. The son of God knew what it was like to start life without a roof over his head. We can find no social or moral justification, no justification whatsoever, for lack of housing.”

Pope Francis goes on to write “we can imagine what Joseph must have been thinking, how is it that the son of God has no home? Why are we homeless, why don’t we have housing? Saint Joseph’s simple questions echo in the minds of those who serve the poor even today.”

I humbly and respectfully ask you to also “echo” in your minds the question of why anyone is homeless, why anyone should not be provided the opportunity for decent, safe, affordable housing.

To learn more about the affordable housing crisis, to help make a difference, please participate in the Faith and Housing Justice weekend. Learn with us, pray with us as a people of faith. You can find out more by going to Catholic Charities website, ccwilm.org, and clicking on the link, Faith and Housing Justice Weekend. Catholic Charities USA has more information here. Read a report here on housing and homelessness in Delaware.

Knights of Columbus councils from Delaware, Maryland earn 2023 Msgr. Thomas J. Reese Award from Catholic Charities

(Photo) Following Mass and services at St. Ann’s Parish in Bethany Beach Nov. 5 Rick Morin, left, a member of St. Ann’s Council 16771 in Delaware passes possession of the Silver Rose to the President of Maryland “Knights On Bikes” Francisco “Paco” Sarceno who escorted the rose to its first stop in Severn, Md.

Courtesy of The Dialog – November 17, 2022 – The Knights of Columbus State Councils from Delaware and Maryland will receive the 2023 Msgr. Thomas J. Reese Award at Catholic Charities Annual Tribute Dinner on Thursday, April 27, 2023.

The award, created in 1989 in memory of Msgr. Thomas J. Reese, community activist and longtime director of Catholic Social Services, the forerunner of Catholic Charities, recognizes exemplary individuals who have demonstrated a deep commitment to promoting and restoring the well-being of people – Catholic Charities’ mission.

The mission of the Knights of Columbus is “Empowering Catholic men to live their faith at home, in their parish, at work and in their community.”

Knights of Columbus, Delaware State Council, are men who lead, serve, protect and defend, whether giving out “Coats for Kids,” lending a hand in disaster relief efforts, supporting local pregnancy centers by donating ultrasound machines or providing top-quality financial products. Similarly, the Maryland State Council supports the families, parishes, and communities in the nine Maryland counties of the Diocese of Wilmington. These Knights live the motto, “Cry the Gospel with your Life!” to aid the poor, care for the needy, and strengthen the faith of their members and families. More than  two million Knights of Columbus worldwide “Change Lives & Save Lives” through their charitable service and faith activities.

To learn more about Catholic Charities Annual Tribute Dinner or sponsorship opportunities, contact Andrea Rotsch, [email protected].

Catholic Charities (www.cdow.org/charities), the social services arm of the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington, has been serving those in need for more than 190 years, offering a wide range of services to strengthen families, care for children, assist the disadvantaged and build human relationships throughout Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

Article and photos courtesy of The Dialog.

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