Justice Bulletin Board
And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection.— Colossians 3: 14
On this, the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I thought I would write about Cathedral being part of the HFH Catholic Coalition consisting of seven area parishes: St. Andrew (Apex), St. Francis, St. Joseph, St. Luke, Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Raphael, and HNOJ Cathedral. 2025 marked the 16th project that HFHCC has participated in building in order to help families buy new, safe homes. Our Coalition team is made up of a diverse group of parishioners that are both skilled and unskilled. All are full of the spirit of our carpenter Lord and there is lots of camaraderie on site.
“Family” is much more than just the family who will receive the home. Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope. But without realizing it, Habitat also provides a way for God’s family to come together in love and in the common cause of simple, decent housing for our working poor brothers and sisters. Home ownership would be simply out of reach for this economic part of God’s family. And, in truth, home ownership is even more out of reach today than it was when the Coalition started in 2010.
There is an introduction to an old book called Leaves of Gold that I would like to share:Civilization had its beginning around an open fire. Here, at its warmth, gathered the family group to find safety, comfort, and companionship. If you trace the origin of the word “fireplace,” you will find it definitely related to the Latin word, ‘focus.’ There is the explanation of what home has always meant; for home is the center of life—no mere residence of the body but the axis of the heart; the place where affections develop themselves, where children love and learn, where a family toils together to make life a blessing.”
On this Feast Day of the Holy Family, as we gather around the fires of our families and friends, let us thank God for our shelter and for giving us the opportunity through Habitat for Humanity to help shelter others—to create a home, to be a blessing, to put on love.
To join in the ministry of Habitat for Humanity here at HNOJ Cathedral, contact Walt Milowic, our parish coordinator, at socialconcern@hnojnc.org
Barbara Molinari Quinby, MPS, Director
Office of Human Life, Dignity, and Justice Ministries
Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral Raleigh, NC