By Teresa Rocha
On March 18, Our Lady of Hope Church in San Bernardino hosted one of several planned outreach events supported by the Office of Community Services and Outreach Office of the Diocese of San Bernardino.
The intention of the event was to bring much-needed services for the homeless in the area. Under the direction of the Office of Community Services and Outreach, multiple booths and tables were present to provide information regarding financial aid, medical aid, Medicare, and other San Bernardino County services designed to aid those in need. The event also included distribution of free clothing and bags of groceries. Four members of the Knights of Columbus Council 4488, David Calhoun, Steve Figueroa, Carlos Teran, and Don Jones, volunteered to help set up tables, pack grocery bags, layout free clothing, and register participants.
Nearly 100 people attended the event and they were received by the compassionate volunteers who greeted them with smiles, encouragement, understanding, and a willingness to explain what was available to them.
This outreach event served as a powerful reminder that charity is not only about giving but about encountering others with love and respect. Through these acts, volunteers and community members answered Christ’s call to see and serve Him in the poor, the sick, and the marginalized.
In this Jubilee 2025 Year, as “Pilgrims of Hope,” we are invited to grow in charity by actively living out the Corporal Works of Mercy. These works: feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, visiting the sick, visiting the imprisoned, and burying the dead, are not simply acts of kindness; they are an essential part of our call as disciples of Christ. “When did I see you hungry, thirsty, sick, or homeless?” (Matthew 25:37-40). When we engage in acts of mercy, we encounter Christ in the most vulnerable members of our communities, recognizing their dignity and responding to their needs with compassion.
When we engage in social outreach, we are not just distributing resources, we are affirming the worth of each person and walking alongside them in solidarity.
So, charity is not simply about providing temporary relief; it is about fostering long-term transformation in our communities. Social outreach programs, such as those at Our Lady of Hope, demonstrate that when communities come together in service, they not only meet immediate needs but also build a culture of compassion, justice, and inclusion.
The testimonies of those who attended this event affirm that the charitable efforts of volunteers and organizations bear witness to God’s love. The Corporal Works of Mercy are not meant to be occasional acts but rather a way of life. Each of us is called to seek out those in need, whether in our neighborhoods, workplaces, or parishes.
As “Pilgrims of Hope,” let us continue this journey together, building a world rooted in justice, mercy, and love.
Two more parish outreach events are scheduled in April: Our Lady of Hope Church, Del Rosa location on Apr. 18 from 9 am - 1 pm; Christ the Good Shepherd Parish, Adelanto on Apr. 23 from 9 am - 3 pm.