This Week God Brought Us... "Chris"

This week God brought us…”Chris”, who called from a local cremation/funeral business. We often receive calls from people in the community looking for help in covering these costs for a loved one, especially when the passing was unexpected and household incomes are already insufficient. One of the Corporal Works of Mercy in our Church is to Bury the Dead. This is a clear recognition of the dignity of each person, each body made in the image and likeness of a loving God. That said, we do not have access to ready funds to support this work, except for small amounts that can help when a family is able to secure the majority of the costs. It’s unusual to get a call from the cremation business – typically we’re calling them on behalf of a client.  This time around, Chris called us as he was working with a heart-wrenching case. A young man in his 30s had passed away unexpectedly. His family was small. Chris explained that both of his parents were not able to take care of this last need of their child – both were lost to addiction and one to incarceration. The young man’s stepparent, however, had stepped in to try to provide dignity for this person. Chris wanted to make sure that he could point the stepparent in our direction and that we would consider doing what we could to meet this sacred human need. This is an example of a space where Catholic Charities hopes to stand: small gaps for basic needs that speak to essential human dignity.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him.