E-NEWSLETTER - 2019 Fall Edition
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A Walk Through the Valley:
Rachel's Story
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“God saved my life.” That’s the only way Rachel can describe waking up in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after intentionally ingesting two bottles of Tylenol, a bottle of Benadryl and an unknown amount of alcohol.
Born in California, Rachel found her way to North Carolina when her grandfather, who was a missionary, came to the Carolinas to set up lots of churches. She was 9 years when she moved to the Charlotte area with her parents and two siblings.
While Rachel will describe her childhood as normal, stress and trauma mark much of her early years. Not long after their move from California to Charlotte, Rachel’s father was diagnosed with cancer. The well-paying job that he was able to secure upon the arrival in Charlotte was now gone, as he spent several months battling the painful disease. Her mother, who suffered from cerebral palsy, was also unable to work. As a result, the family struggled financially.
Like many young people, Rachel spent her teen years fighting a lot with her parents. While she did not experience any physical abuse, there were many instances of emotional or verbal abuse. She still blocks many of those memories, a response to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that her doctors have diagnosed. At 16 years old, Rachel left home. She moved in with a friend’s family. She lived there until she graduated from high school.
Upon her high school graduation, she enrolled in college. She began experimenting with marijuana. Soon she was smoking marijuana regularly, which left her with little motivation. After dropping out of college, she began working at local restaurants.
In 2015, while working at a local restaurant, she met a man...
Read the rest of Rachel's story using the link below.
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Hello. My Name is Catherine McAuley.
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Welcome to my house!
Catherine’s House began its journey half way around the world, in Dublin, Ireland. The fundamental principles of mercy, love and empowerment that we hold dearly, and the vision that those core components could serve as a catalyst for life changing growth all came from one woman’s vision; and her courage to act. Her name is Catherine McAuley. This is her story.
Catherine McAuley (pictured above) was born in Dublin, Ireland in the late 1700s. Her father, a successful businessman, was a devout Catholic who was devoted to serving the poor throughout Dublin. Many of her earliest memories were of his personal care for the poor. This compassion and mercy shown by her father made a great impression on Catherine, who soon shared her father’s empathy for those who were less fortunate.
Catherine was still young when her parents died; first her father, her mother a few years later. With both parents gone, Catherine and her two siblings were in the care of a kind Protestant family. Living with this family, Catherine’s brother and sister eventually chose to be Protestant. This was notable, as in 18
th
century Ireland, Catholics were excluded from education, professional positions or the right to own land. However, Catherine remained devoted to her Catholic faith.
While in her 20s, Catherine was introduced to William and Catherine Callaghan. The Callaghan’s had no children of their own and took an immediate liking to Catherine, inviting her to live with them at their new estate. While they were not Catholic, the Callaghan’s encouraged Catherine to practice her faith as well as follow her passion to assist and provide for the poor. She began by providing food and religious instruction to the poor at the local parish. Soon, she felt compelled to do more, and asked the Callaghan’s permission to use a small cottage on the grounds of the estate, where she taught girls to read, pray and sew.
After many years, both Mr. and Mrs. Callaghan became ill and passed away. Soon after, Catherine was surprised to learn that she had been left as the sole heir to their estate, an inheritance of more than $5 million in today’s money. Now 44 years old, Catherine understood that it was her responsibility to use these resources to serve the poor...
To read the rest of Catherine's amazing story,
click here
, or on the link below.
For another glimpse into Catherine’s beautiful life, we invite you to view the film, "In Go Alone", created by Mercy International Association. You can watch the film here:
www.mercyworld.org/film-in-god-alone/
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Homelessness:
Understanding the Issue
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A message from Ed Paat, President & CEO
Homelessness is not a new issue in our country; it has been a tragically public piece of our culture since our nation began. However, the discussion of homelessness has become a more prevalent topic as of late. Media coverage has intensified around the issue, as have political and policy debates. As with many other issues, the country’s views on the subject have become divided, as have the targeted solutions.
Not surprisingly, much of the public discourse on this issue is based on incorrect information. As a result, we thought it imperative in our role as advocates, and more importantly as a faith-based ministry, to provide factual information about the topic. In doing so, we endeavor to provide a framework for public discourse; one that is helpful and will lead to more positive, solutions-oriented discussions.
Classifications of Homelessness
Homelessness is not the same for every individual who experiences it. Certainly, the one commonality that exists among all who experience homelessness is the lack of housing. However, the causing factors, lengths of time, number of episodes, etc. of those who experience homelessness can vary greatly. Thus, it is important to detail the multiple classifications or categories of homelessness. In order to best understand the challenges, and potential solutions for homelessness, we must understand the unique struggles and commonalties of each group....
To continue learning about homelessness, click on the link below.
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Each year thousands of friends and supporters come together to participate in our largest annual fundraising event, our car raffle.
This year's car raffle has been amazing. Over the past 6 months, we have been warmly welcomed into 26 local parishes and churches (listed below), visiting with thousands of faithful Catherine's House supporters.
As we approach our drawing on
Thursday, December 5th
, we would like to thank everyone who has come out in support of our ministry.
We are grateful for you prayers, donations and words of encouragement.
We would like to extend a special thank you to the many parishes and churches who supported our raffle this year. Many of these congregations have been a part of this fundraising venture since it began, more than 17 years ago.
Participating Parishes & Churches
St. Joan of Arc (Candler)
St. Patrick's Cathedral (Charlotte)
St. Therese (Mooresville)
Our Lady of Assumption (Charlotte)
St. Charles Borromeo (Morgonton)
St. Mary's (Shelby)
St. Eugene (Asheville)
St. Michael (Gastonia)
Immaculate Conception (Hendersonville)
St. Margaret Mary (Swannanoa)
St. Elizabeth (Boone)
St. Leo the Great (Winston Salem)
St. James (Concord)
St. John Neumann (Charlotte)
St. Lawrence Basilica (Asheville)
St. Vincent DePaul (Charlotte)
St. Gabriel (Charlotte)
St. Barnabas (Arden)
Immaculate Heart of Mary (High Point)
St. Joseph (Newton)
St. Peter's (Charlotte)
St. Luke (Mint Hill)
Sacred Heart (Brevard)
Holy Family (Clemmons)
Belmont Abbey (Belmont)
Queen of Apostles (Belmont)
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On Saturday, November 2, Catherine's House celebrated 27 years of service.
Over that time, we have served over 2,400 women and children in their journeys from homelessness to self-sufficient living.
Thank you to the countless number of volunteers, donors and supporters who have helped make our mission of mercy a success for 27 years!
If you hvae not had the opportunity to witness the impact of our ministry first-hand, we invite you to
watch the video below
.
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Is your company, church or group of friends looking for a way to make an impact on those less fortunate this holiday season?
We would love to have you learn how you can positively impact the lives of the women and children that we serve. There are lots of ways that you can help.
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As we approach the holiday season, we want to give thanks to everyone who serves and supports our ministry.
We would not be able to positively impact the lives of the women and children that we serve without the
LOVE
and
MERCY
that so many of you share through your investment of time, talent and treasure.
THANK YOU
for your commitment to our mission!
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Pictured: Ed Paat, Jane Cacchione, Anne Jurchak, Sheila Purello, Boyce O'Tuel, Cheryl Fabino
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Catherine's House, Inc.
P.O. Box 1633, Belmont, NC 28012
704-825-9599
Our mission of mercy is to love and empower women and children who are homeless through safe housing and services that build self sufficiency.
Catherine's House is a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Mercy
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