St. Luke's Mission of Mercy - Helping out Locally at Christmas (and anytime)

There are bell-ringers everywhere you go this time of year and some choose to donate to the Salvation Army. For some Catholics, this is not without controversy. Some point to the fact that the Salvation Army finds abortion to be acceptable in many situations as a reason to withhold support. (I maintain if you use abortion viewpoint as a litmus test of support, there are a lot of other religions you would have to exclude). Others have been busy packing and shipping boxes full of items for Operation Christmas Child. Again, some have concerns about this program. I believe that giving is a very personal thing and would never tell someone which organization they can support and which they cannot. There is one local Buffalo mission that has been making a big difference in the lives of others since 1994.

St. Luke's Mission of Mercy is located on Walden Avenue in Buffalo. At this past Thanksgiving, they distributed 2,600 bundles of food. Each bundle included two bags of dry/canned goods including rolls, potatoes, vegetables, macaroni and cheese, cookies. Folks also received perishable items including meat, butter, milk, frozen desserts, etc.

• They serve two meals per day, six days a week and one meal on Sunday. 
• They provide shelter for men and women of all ages who otherwise would have no place to lay their head.
• They provide housing for many families in need.
• They provide a house for men recovering from addictions.
• They provide donated clothing, household items, small appliances to anyone in need. 
• They maintain contact with those who have needed their support in the past, including prison ministry and support for those transitioning from imprisonment to life outside of prison.
• They offer their church for the burial of Catholics who would have no other place to go, donating the time of their choir and facilities. 

It is my experience that they are always in need of new socks, gloves, hats, coats, hygiene products, medications, prayers, and time. They rely solely upon the generosity of others and if you are looking for a local organization to support, please consider St. Luke's Mission of Mercy. 

Donate HERE

To volunteer, contact them HERE

North Dakota Bishops Warn Against Donating to Certain Charities

On Ash Wednesday, the Bishops of North Dakota issued a guide on charitable giving.  You may find that document HERE in its entirety.



They noted that all Catholics and Catholic entities including churches, schools and other organizations have an obligation to support only those missions which clearly support Catholic teaching.  Listed are some less obvious and perhaps a surprise or two for you in the 'do not support' list:


American Association of University Women: AAUWʼs stated mission is to advance “equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research” and often provides local scholarships with money raised through book fairs.  AAUW, however, strongly supports abortion rights and same-sex “marriage,” and opposes parental choice in education.

Amnesty International: In 2007, Amnesty International abandoned its neutral stance on abortion and adopted a pro-abortion position.

Crop Walk/Church World Service: CROP Walk, an annual hunger awareness and fundraising effort that benefits many local food pantries, is sponsored by Church World Service (CWS), an agency of the National Council of Churches. Catholic Relief Services withdrew its name from the list of funding recipients since some of the partners of CWS support the provision of contraceptives in their overseas missions and programs and CRS could not guarantee that donations, particularly Catholic donors who have earmarked their contribution to those efforts consistent with Church teaching, would not be utilized for objectionable services.

March of Dimes: The March of Dimesʼ focus is the prevention of birth defects, premature birth, and infant
mortality. March of Dimes, however, also supports embryonic stem cell research, preimplantation diagnosis for untreatable conditions, and mandatory contraceptive coverage for insurance plans.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure: This anti-breast cancer organization is known for its “Race for the Cure”
fundraising activities (not to be confused with “Relay for Life.”)  Money raised at these events has gone to
Planned Parenthood and the organization refuses to acknowledge the link between abortion and breast cancer.

UNICEF: The Holy See suspended an annual symbolic contribution in 1996 due to the “shift in UNICEF activities” that were once solely focused on child welfare but now includes contraceptive and abortion services.


May God bless †Most Rev. Paul A. Zipfel  and  †Most Rev. Samuel J. Aquila

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Hat tip to Thomas Peters from Catholic Vote for sharing the story.