Feedback. (sounding board).Q: The reason I don't have much personal contact with poor people is ... An overly busy schedule. Bob Ulicki Cupertino, Calif. Weariness. Poor people are hard to deal with, they are just so needy need·y adj. need·i·er, need·i·est 1. Being in need; impoverished. See Synonyms at poor. 2. Wanting or needing affection, attention, or reassurance, especially to an excessive degree. . Phil Little Toronto, Canada I get caught up with my own personal pursuits. Father Tom Langer Gays Mills, Wis. I'm often afraid to enter neighborhoods where soup kitchens and shelters are located. Christine Clapp Westmont, N.J. They will depend on others even more. Name withheld Livonia, Mich. I work for several organizations that serve the poor--but I do not frequently work directly with the poor. Name withheld Yankton, S.D. I'm 83 years old and live in a middle-class parish. I think sending money to various charitable organizations This article is about charitable organizations. For other uses of the word charity, see Charity. A charitable organization (also known as a charity) is an organization with charitable purposes only. and donating food to our parish food locker is enough for now. Jean L. Brock Sacramento, Calif. It is not necessary at all times to be involved with poor people. Circumstances determine our charities. Mary R. Locke Rochester, N. Y. Q: The most memorable experience I've had with poor people was ... When I would visit my grandma. She lived in a shack in my small Kansas hometown home·town n. The town or city of one's birth, rearing, or main residence. Noun 1. hometown - the town (or city) where you grew up or where you have your principal residence; "he never went back to his hometown again" and took in laundry to support herself. It wasn't until I got older that I was really able to "see" the kind of a place she lived in. Looking through a child's eyes, however, you could have fooled me that she was poor. She had a great faith in God, and she was happy. Georgia DeVader Topeka, Kan. Taking my four children (now in their 40s) to a "neighborhood house" when they were very young to "help" as I worked sorting clothing for distribution to the poor. The interaction was very positive. Name withheld Vienna, Va. Standing in the food line at a soup kitchen with the hungry. It was so different from giving people food on their plates. I was not "in control"--very humbling! Susan Hetebrueg, S.S.N.D. Madison, Wis. A family we knew called one night to say they were suddenly homeless. We took them in for a month and a half, until they were able to find a place to live. It was very hard--but I learned to appreciate how fortunate we are. Linda Erickson Denver, Colo. Very sad to say, I have not had a memorable experience because of lack of contact with the poor. Daniel L. Warden Rosenberg, Texas Serving on a food line and noticing that when we first started it was only men--then in a few months there were men and women, then in a few more months there were whole families. Carol Galts Scottsdale, Ariz. When I assisted a husband and wife who both were manic man·ic adj. Relating to, affected by, or resembling mania. depressive de·pres·sive adj. 1. Tending to depress or lower. 2. Depressing; gloomy. 3. Of or relating to psychological depression. n. A person suffering from psychological depression. , lost their jobs, needed medicine and a place to stay, and did not know how to seek welfare. R.J. Wiersberg Culpeper, Va. Saying grace with a mother and her four small daughters at a soup kitchen meal. Mary Louise Poje Solon, Ohio Q: Spending time "Spending Time" is the first single released by Christian artist Stellar Kart. The lyrics describe the band members desire to spend "more time with God". "Sometimes it’s a real struggle to spend time with God. with poor people has changed me in this way: I'm more aware of the complexity of the problems they face. Bill Peters Pittsburgh, Pa. Seeing their patience has increased my patience. Paul Kirk Warwick, R.I. It helps me to be more aware that the life I have with its material success is not my doing alone, nor is it an entitlement--it is a responsibility. Shelly Artus Grifton, N.C. It's called me to greater belief in the gospel imperative and challenged me to change the unjust UNJUST. That which is done against the perfect rights of another; that which is against the established law; that which is opposed to a law which is the test of right and wrong. 1 Toull. tit. prel. n. 5; Aust. Jur. 276, n.; Hein. Lec. El. Sec. 1080. structures. Name withheld St. Louis, Mo. My vision has been improving. I am able to see more clearly the face of Christ in the people around me, both poor and rich. I think this is because of the humility Humility See also Modesty. Humorousness (See WITTINESS.) Bernadette Soubirous, St. humble girl to whom Virgin Mary appeared. [Christian Hagiog.: Attwater, 65–66] Bonaventura, St. washes dishes even though a cardinal. that many poor bring to our relationships. This humility has the power to transform. Tim Maroney Havre, Mont. I appreciate and am thankful thank·ful adj. 1. Aware and appreciative of a benefit; grateful. 2. Expressive of gratitude: a thankful smile. for what I have. Rosemary Green Grand Rapids, Mich. They shattered shat·ter v. shat·tered, shat·ter·ing, shat·ters v.tr. 1. To cause to break or burst suddenly into pieces, as with a violent blow. 2. a. the stereotype stereotype (stĕr`ĕətīp'), plate from which printing is done, made by casting metal in a mold, usually of paper pulp. The process was patented in 1725 by the Scottish inventor William Ged. I had that poor people were "sad." I discovered that a family with strong familial familial /fa·mil·i·al/ (fah-mil´e-il) occurring in more members of a family than would be expected by chance. fa·mil·ial adj. bonds could be happy living in a shack while an upper-class family living in a mansion could be miserable. Name withheld Tiffin, Ohio I am much more empathetic em·pa·thet·ic adj. Empathic. em  pa·thet i·cal·ly adv. in terms of their needs, issues, and the
frustrations of their lives. I am also more attuned at·tune tr.v. at·tuned, at·tun·ing, at·tunes 1. To bring into a harmonious or responsive relationship: an industry that is not attuned to market demands. 2. to the social injustices Social Injustice is a concept relating to the perceived unfairness or injustice of a society in its divisions of rewards and burdens. The concept is distinct from those of justice in law, which may or may not be considered moral in practice. that perpetuate per·pet·u·ate tr.v. per·pet·u·at·ed, per·pet·u·at·ing, per·pet·u·ates 1. To cause to continue indefinitely; make perpetual. 2. poverty. Kimberly Antal Longmeadow, Mass. It's made it hard to participate in our consumer-driven economy. It feels sinful. Laura Decker New Windsor, Md. Q: The one thing I've learned from my experiences with poor people is ... The poorest people I've met have lots of money. Anthony Fonseca Mineola, N.Y. Much of poverty could be solved through effective drug and alcohol abuse programs and more centers for the mentally ill. Sally Mosko Vernon Hills, Ill. How resilient See resiliency. they are. As a social worker working with poor people and the problems poverty generates, I used to come home and marvel to my wife about their coping skills A coping skill is a behavioral tool which may be used by individuals to offset or overcome adversity, disadvantage, or disability without correcting or eliminating the underlying condition. Virtually all living beings routinely utilize coping skills in daily life. . I often thought if I had those problems, I'd just fold up and whimper. Bill Diebels Sr. Juneau, Alaska No matter if I don't approve of how some of them live, they are still human beings and need help. Edith Theriot Schriever, La. Strong family life would reduce the number of poor people, especially children. James F. Steinkamp Quincy, Ill. There but for the grace of God go I. Our sense of wealth is such an illusion. Sue VanderJeugdt Charlotte, N.C. Poor people (in almost every case) haven't had the same opportunities as I. My life started on solid ground--theirs did not. Marybeth Christie Yonkers, N. Y. Most don't want to be viewed as "poor." They don't want the label. They just want to do the best that they can for themselves and their family, and be able to give back something in return. Name withheld Scott City, Mo. Q: The consequences of not spending time with poor people are ... Catastrophic! The worst thing is to isolate ourselves from the reality of the world--the poverty and needs of many countries. Name withheld Tampa, Fla. Self-satisfaction. Even if you give substantial amounts of money to help the poor and are aware of their deprivations, you do not feel bonded with them. Jane Morosky Norwich, Conn. We become too complacent com·pla·cent adj. 1. Contented to a fault; self-satisfied and unconcerned: He had become complacent after years of success. 2. Eager to please; complaisant. and judgmental judg·men·tal adj. 1. Of, relating to, or dependent on judgment: a judgmental error. 2. Inclined to make judgments, especially moral or personal ones: . It is so easy in a comfortable middle-class house to judge poor people. Dorothy Campbell Stuart, Fla. Taking your blessings for granted. James Mahan Warsaw, Mo. Selfishness self·ish adj. 1. Concerned chiefly or only with oneself: "Selfish men were . . . trying to make capital for themselves out of the sacred cause of human rights" Maria Weston Chapman. , greediness greed·y adj. greed·i·er, greed·i·est 1. Excessively desirous of acquiring or possessing, especially wishing to possess more than what one needs or deserves. 2. , ungratefulness. Kris Hooker Boise, Idaho We begin to think and act like we are better, separate, or not like the rest of other human beings. Mary Ann Ronan Phoenix, Ariz. General Comments Poor people do more for us than we do for them! Name withheld Elmendorf, Texas The most significant single predictor of early death, disease, or potential for being a victim of violent crime is poverty. One may forget that and be tempted to think the "war on terrorism Terrorist acts and the threat of Terrorism have occupied the various law enforcement agencies in the U.S. government for many years. The Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996, as amended by the usa patriot act " is even remotely as big an issue as the "war on poverty" should be. Jeanne Isacco St. Petersburg, Fla. Sister Prejean's life is dedicated to the church so she serves the poor as her vocation. That is wonderful, but those of us who must work at other jobs and then take care of a home and family have little time left for outreach programs. And those of us who work for the church often work two jobs to supplement our low wages. Eileen Dunn Boothwyn, Pa. Our hearts should also go out to the poor who are suffering abroad. Joseph Hebert St. Petersburg, Fla. We are all called to give what we can. For some this is money, for others, time. Each of these can affect both us and the poor. Matt Bierman Macomb, Ill. I grew up poor. I have been there, done that, as the saying goes. People generally looked down on us, and their comments were hurting at the least. We never took anything for granted and every day was a gift from God. We were taught just because some people have money doesn't mean they are rich or happy--just in a different circumstance, at least for the time being.
Name withheld
Edison, N.J.
AND THE
SURVEY SAYS ...
1. I believe every Christian
should be in regular
contact with poor people.
agree 76%
disagree 7%
other 17%
Note: Table made from bar graph.
2. I am in physical contact
with poor people ...
19% Daily.
30% Weekly.
12% Monthly.
4% Yearly.
20% Rarely.
2% Never.
13% Other.
3. My contact with poor people
includes ...
43% Individual assistance.
41% Conversations.
31% They are my friends,
neighbors, or relatives.
28% Clothing bank
27% Giving money to street
beggars.
19% Soup kitchen.
14% Homeless shelter.
39% Other.
Representative of Other: Prision
ministry; food pantry; Meals on
Wheels; nursing home; Christmas
gift projects.
4. It feels artificial for me to
seek out poor people with
whom to connect
agree 36%
disagree 50%
other 14%
Note: Table made from bar graph.
5. I feel guilty that I don't do
more for poor people.
agree 58%
disagree 36%
other 6%
Note: Table made from bar graph.
6. I would welcome a homeless
shelter opening in my
neighborhood.
agree 57%
disagree 20%
other 23%
Note: Table made from bar graph.
These results are based on survey
responses from 190 U.S. CATHOLIC
readers and Web site visitors.
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