I have a friend who used to work in the fitness industry, selling exercise equipment. He told me that his company put almost all of its marketing budget and sales energy into selling products during December and January. Why? – because New Year’s resolutions about physical fitness are what stimulate most of their profits.
Sadly, our overseas ministry partners have to take an entirely different approach to this New Year. For them, the focus isn’t on cutting waistlines. It’s on avoiding cuts in services.
Hard economic times worldwide are making life even more difficult for the poor and those ministries trying to help them. Priests, nuns, and lay workers are entering the new year with caution and faith, being more frugal but also leaning on their belief that God will provide.
For them, the New Year resolution is simple: survive 2011 so that the poor do not have to suffer even more.
Realizing how difficult this goal is for overseas ministries, Cross Catholic also made a resolution for this New Year. We will redouble our efforts to keep our partners fully funded in 2011 – and that’s a major challenge, considering the weaknesses that still plague our economy.
Why do we feel compelled to make this resolution? Because we know that our partners in places like Haiti and Africa cannot survive alone. They serve in impoverished areas where local support isn’t available, and they can’t afford to cut back on their already-meager equipment and barebones staff.
That leaves us to be their source of strength in these hard financial times. We resolve to be a steady, supportive partner to these missionaries and their outreaches in 2011, and we pray you will join us by resolving to maintain or increase your contributions to Cross Catholic.
I believe that if we work together in faith, we can meet our goal and be a continued source of sustenance and hope for the poorest of the poor, demonstrating that God’s compassion shines bright, even in the darkest of times.
