Deacon Tom Cervone, Ph.D., Sister Maureen Houlihan, D.C., and Nicole Cervone-Gish, Ed. M.S.
Our Planet Earth
Author’s note: This worldwide website encourages, inspires, and informs citizens to act now, and to practice ecological principles in our journey “On Care for Our Common Home.”
Introduction
Have you ever been without water or food? Have you ever been homeless? Have you ever had little to no money? Well, many people have －which makes them vulnerable, anxious, and in dire need of help. Many poor people even need to migrate to new countries and find new places to live.
The World Bank says there are about 9.2% of the world living on less than $2.15 a day, and in the United States, 11.6% of the population lived in poverty as of 2021. Last August, in front of a crowd of 500,000 people gathered in Lisbon, Portugal, Pope Francis led a chant of "Todos, todos, todos." "Everyone! Everyone! Everyone!" "There is space for everyone." Cry of the poor is a social and environmental issue.
“The poor continue to be conveniently forgotten or ignored at the high table of world affairs. There exists an amnesia of the poor on the part of the rich and powerful minority elite who are at the helm of world economy and politics.” They further purport how we can respond to the groaning of the poor and creation. One response is for the faithful to marshal spiritual resources, e.g., scripture and social teachings. Hunger, migration, and climate change are huge respect-for-life issues (Caroline Nellis, per. com.)
St. John Chrysostom said: Not to enable the poor to share in our goods is to steal from them and deprive them of life. The goods we possess are not ours, but theirs (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2446). St. Teresa of Calcutta is well-known for helping the poor. Mother Teresa, awarded the 1979 Nobel Peace Prize, dedicated her life to the sick and hungry. Her simple message was “the poor must know that we love them.” Let’s welcome all children of God as shown in the Global Sisters Report where asylum-seekers are welcomed by Good Samaritans. Humanitarian aid is never a crime.
What Can You Do?
Become More Active in the Legislative Process - Develop a sensitivity to recognizing many people are poor from how mankind has treated the Earth. A solution is to become more active in regulations like the Federal Action in 1994 that addressed Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations as signed by President William J. Clinton. It was a landmark order that brought environmental protection for all communities.
Fund Charitable Organizations - There are many reputable organizations we can select in helping the poor. Do what you can to help them live a life of purpose, so they can be citizens of a country that truly believes in its people, and loves to share each others talents and resources.
Support Steps for the Poor to Help Others - The poor have a multitude of abilities that can individually and collectively help society. Be aware of these assets, and welcome the poor to work towards gaining a place of value in society. They are your brothers and sisters, and many are simply asking for a path to citizenship and conveyance of rights like our forefathers were given in the early part of the 20 th century.
Quote:
“To the powerful I ask: Why do you want to preserve a power that will be remembered for its inability to stop the climate crisis when it was urgent and necessary.” Pope Francis.
Dr. Tom Cervone is a deacon and ecologist in the Evansville Diocese. He graduated from St. Bonaventure, a Franciscan University. Sister Maureen Houlihan D.C. is a member of the “Care of Earth” Committee - St. Louise Province of the Daughters of Charity USA and member of Seton Harvest Farm, a Community Supported Agriculture Farm that grows all natural produce for shareholders and the poor. Nicole Cervone-Gish, Ed. MS. is an English Language Learner teacher, who lives in Evansville, Indiana with her family, and teaches at Joshua Academy Charter School. Michael Cervone, BS. is a web developer and designer who lives in Evansville, Indiana.