Thursday, 31 January 2013 11:38

Volunteers still needed to feed the homeless
By Bonnie Toombs
The Diocese of Wichita is responsible for the Warming Souls shelter for the homeless during February and March.
There is still a need for volunteers to bring or prepare breakfast and dinner and for items such as peanut butter, jelly, fresh bread and fruit, and sack lunch items.
If you would like to help serve others and in the process challenge yourself and grow in faith, please contact the Respect Life Social Justice office at (316) 269-3935.
School and PSR classes are encouraged to collect items for the shelter. All are also asked to include those who are homeless in your prayers. This year we will be housing the men at the Inter-Faith Spiritual Center at 841 N. Market.
Respecting human dignity is one of the fundamental principles of Catholic social teaching. Each one of us is created in the image and likeness of God, and therefore each and every human person has dignity and should be respected. Yet how do we live out respect for the dignity of others in our busy, daily lives?
One way is by making an effort to see people who may all too easily become invisible to us, such as people who are homeless. Homeless men, women and families are part of an ever growing, often nameless and faceless community.
Perhaps some questions to ask ourselves for reflection when we consider the plight of those who are homeless could be: How do I react when I see or come into contact with a homeless person? Do I avert my eyes, fearing that to look them in the eye may encourage them to ask for money? Do I feel angered, annoyed with them, perhaps thinking; “ Why don’t they do something to help themselves?”
Toombs is director of the Respect Life and Social Justice ministry.