A person in my position is approached endlessly for donations to this cause or that cause.  I try to respond as generously as possible but even wealthy people, much less Catholic clergy, have the resources to respond in proportion to the need.  You have to choose!

I try to assist programs that provide emergency food, clothing and shelter and try to assist in scholarship programs but my favorite concern is St. Louise House in South Central Austin.

St. Louise House is a miracle (second class) that documents how hardworking, well-intentioned, visionaries with empathy for the poor can produce wonders.  About ten years ago, a group of parishioners from St. Austin’s Church in Austin saw a pressing need on the streets, namely homeless women with children.  Can you imagine a worse situation?  They went to work and today the organization called St. Louise House has no less than 48 apartments in which women from the street have landed with their children and are beginning to put their lives back together comfortably and safely.

I don’t think you could be involved in more meaningful work in assisting those around us than helping St. Louise House or comparable programs to grow stronger and expand.  St. Louise House can be contacted at 2026 Guadalupe Street, Austin, Texas 78705, (512) 302-0027, www.saintlouise-house.org.

There is so much more I could tell you about the program, but let me encourage you to go directly to their website, http://www.saintlouisehouse.org/ where you can learn more and get involved TODAY!

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