My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

CARITAS is more than a word and certainly more than its Latin translation of charity. In all aspects of what is important about true charity, it is about love. It is a special love, one that is encountered when someone demonstrates care, concern and willingness to help another even though they may never meet in person. They might live thousands of miles apart from each other and not even speak a common language.

“To Love another…” is Jesus’ response in Matthew 22:39, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself…” and a primary meaning of CARITAS. Many of our brothers and sisters are in need of your help. Whether they are in Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia, South America or right here in North America. We are called to love each other as brothers and sisters by Christ. Drawn together with a CARITAS love, supported by our sponsor families, our missionary partners are able to bring hope and love for  needy, orphaned or impoverished children that without, will only survive in constant misery if at all.

To Love another, we must also be concerned with the whole person. We can not leave God aside. Often the deepest cause of suffering is the very absence of God. We do not practice charity in the Church’s name and do not seek to impose the Church’s faith upon others. Pure and generous love is the best witness to the God in whom we believe and by whom we are driven to love (Deus Caritas Est, Pope Benedict XVI). Within His love, each individual we serve will come to know this same love and in turn will be taught to share it with others.

Brothers and Sisters, please allow us to bring your witness of God’s never-ending love to those less fortunate on this earth. Help us build a connection of hearts to each other that grows together in the family of all God’s children…forever.

As always, sharing in His love for us all…

Christopher T. Hoar
Founder & President,
CARITAS For Children