Bishop Michael Olson urges support for poor in Nov. 1-2 second collection amid government shutdown
Catholic Charities Wichita Falls employees help collect food supplies for clients in need. (NTC/Bertha Salazar)
FORT WORTH — In response to the ongoing government shutdown, the second longest on record, and its impact on the poor, Bishop Michael Olson issued a call to the faithful on Oct. 29, urging participation in a special second collection for local neighbors in need at all Masses this weekend, Nov. 1-2.
The bishop cited a recent USDA notice that federal food aid will end beginning this weekend, Nov. 1, warning that one in 11 Texans, many of whom are working families, will lose access to essential grocery assistance. “Bottom line, the well has run dry,” the USDA stated.
Bishop Olson emphasized the Catholic charity “the Lord has poured into our hearts sacramentally never runs dry;” condemned the use of poverty as a partisan tool; and shared a reminder that “others might lower the poor among our social priorities, but we who are faithful Catholics must know that the poor and hungry come first because they are Christ among us.”
Proceeds from the second collection during all Masses this weekend will be split evenly between Catholic Charities Fort Worth clients and the 20 parish food pantries in the diocese. The faithful are also encouraged to share directly with the apostolates.
The bishop concluded his statement with a call to prayer for government leaders “to encourage them, through our behavior, to find common purpose towards the flourishing of our blessed nation.”
The following locations and parishes of the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth offer food pantry assistance. Please consider donating directly to these parishes or entities supporting our neighbors in need.
• Catholic Charites Fort Worth: https://catholiccharitiesfortworth.org/
To find parish contact information please visit the Diocesan Parish Finder web page: https://fwdioc.org/parish-finder/
• All Saints Parish, Fort Worth (*Location for Tarrant Area Food Bank)
• Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Decatur
• Christ the King Parish, Fort Worth (*Location for Tarrant Area Food Bank)
• Holy Cross Parish, The Colony
• Immaculate Conception Parish, Denton (*Donates to Denton Community Food Center)
• Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Mineral Wells
• Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Breckenridge
• Sacred Heart Parish, Wichita Falls
• St. Bartholomew Parish, Fort Worth
• St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Grapevine
• St. John the Apostle Parish, North Richland Hills
• St. John the Baptizer Parish, Bridgeport
• St. Jude Parish, Mansfield
• St. Maria Goretti Parish, Arlington
• St. Mary Parish, Jacksboro
• St. Mary Parish, Windthorst
• St. Michael Parish, Bedford
• St. Paul the Apostle Parish, Fort Worth
• St. Peter the Apostle Parish, Fort Worth
• St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Pilot Point
• St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Arlington