Faith. Works. Wonders.
An Insider's Guide to Catholic Charities
Imprint: Pickwick Publications
Written in preparation for the 2010 centennial of the national organization Catholic Charities USA, Faith. Works. Wonders. introduces the mission, scope, and impact of Catholic Charities agencies in communities across the nation. This book also describes the work, motivation, and spirituality of the three hundred thousand staff, board members, and volunteers in local Charities agencies; this network composes the largest voluntary social service network in the country. In addition, the author draws on the broad experience of Catholic Charities and his long association with Charities to explain the sometimes-surprising positions of the organization and its leaders in our continuing national discussions on social welfare, faith-inspired organizations, and the appropriate roles of the private and public sectors in promoting the common good and caring for the least fortunate.
Within the framework of the registered slogan of Catholic Charities of the archdiocese of Washington DC, the nine chapters in turn lay out
Faith-the mission, identity, and power of Catholic Charities rooted in the Scriptures, experience, history, and Catholic thought.
Works-the focus of agencies and people on service to people in need, advocacy and empowerment for justice and compassion, and "convening" religious and civic partners to create a better society.
Wonders-the who, what, and why of volunteers; the quest for quality and innovation; the stance of determined pluralism in the Church community and public square; and the miracle of virtue and spirituality born in the service of others.
Appendices provide 1) an outline of the history of Catholic Charities in the USA dating back to 1727 in the author's hometown of New Orleans, and 2) the principles developed by Catholic Charities and other voluntary-sector leaders for the protection of the sector in this country.
Fred Kammer, SJ, is Director of the Jesuit Social Research Institute at Loyola University New Orleans and former president and CEO of Catholic Charities USA from 1992 to 2001. An attorney, a Jesuit priest, and an advocate for the poor and powerless, Father Kammer writes personally and passionately to encourage and strengthen those committed to make this a more just and compassionate world. He is author of Doing Faithjustice: An Introduction to Catholic Social Thought (2004) and Salted with Fire: Spirituality for the Faithjustice Journey (2008).
"Jesuit Fred Kammer provides a rich survey of the history, institutions, projects, and people of Catholic charities, America's 'largest voluntary social service network.' Readers will find clarity about such important questions as 'faith-base' social services, the role of religion in social policy, the impact of economic change on people and communities, and America's rich experience of private-public collaboration in meeting human needs. And they will encounter remarkable stories of ordinary people whose faith often worked wonders, for everyone."
--David O'Brien
University of Dayton
"Faith. Works. Wonders. is the story of Catholic Charities in the United States from its beginnings one hundred years ago to the largest system of private social provision today. Fr. Fred Kammer, SJ, captures the multi-faceted contributions of Catholic Charities that are steeped in faith with a concern for the poorest of the poor. A must read for students, practitioners, and those concerned with helping their neighbor."
--Frederick L. Ahearn
The Catholic University of America
"Fred Kammer, SJ, honors the thousands of women and men, created in the image of God, sacred and social, who are the face and the hands and heart of Catholic Charities. In their care and compassion for the poor and those in need, promoting the common good and striving after justice, Catholic Charities is both tangible action and the sign and sacrament of God's love for all humanity. Father Kammer inspires all those wanting to understand the impact of Catholic Charities in our complex world and pays a proud tribute of gratitude to mark its centennial in 2010."
--Lesley-Anne Knight
Caritas Internationalis