Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Last Thursday I attended Catholic Charities’ Good Samaritan Dinner. This dinner brings together several people who generously support the works of Catholic Charities. Jay, Kiara and Liz Mack are this year’s leaders who assisted Fr. David Reith and Catholic Charities staff in the presentation and promotion of the dinner. I am always invited to offer prayers and remarks, and I genuinely love attending. This year, in particular, was a complete surprise for me.  

Fr. Reith invited Ms. Diane Knight, former Director of Catholic Charities, and the Honorable Beth Hanan, former Board Chair of Catholic Charities, to say a few words. What was strange was that they both offered complimentary remarks about my relationship to and leadership of the work of Catholic Charities over the past 13 years. This then set the stage for Fr. Reith to present me with an award – an original artistic work of the by Fr. Anthony Brankin.

The award was three separate works of the same subject matter: one done in color, one in pastel and one in pen/ink. Fr. Brankin is a gifted artist who has shared his talent with us generously in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. He created the beautiful Mary Mother of the Church bronze statue that adorns the entrance of the Pastoral Center; the “Treasures of the Church” drawing presented at the Lenten Luncheons; the “St. Elizabeth Anne Seton” pastel presented at the Catholic Schools Dinner; the “St. John the Evangelist” in ink presented to those who have offered outstanding support and leadership to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee; and other works.

It was a generous gesture by Fr. Reith and Catholic Charities. I am grateful for their consideration, but I am not deserving of being singled out. I am only successful because of the great work and generosity of all those who do the work of Catholic Charities that make us all so proud, many of whom attended the dinner.

The artwork I was given depicts the person in need, ignored by many, being carried by the Good Samaritan, and presented to the Inn Keeper. I have often preached and instructed those examining the parable not to forget the Inn Keeper who accepts the charge of the Good Samaritan to care for the person in need. It is the Good Samaritan who gives the Inn Keeper funds to use for his care, with the promise that he will repay the Inn Keeper for any additional funds not covered.

Imagine that the Good Samaritan is Jesus, and we are the Inn Keeper. Jesus charges us with the care of those in need; God gives us the talents and funds necessary to carry out the care for souls with a pledge that, if additional funds are needed, He will repay us upon His return.

Jesus has given us a mandate to care for our brothers and sisters. It is through the work of Catholic Charities in one sense that we become the Inn Keeper accepting the request of the Good Samaritan (Jesus) to care for our brothers and sisters, who are neglected and ignored, with a pledge that He will repay us upon His return.

Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world ... “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? … And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’…  (Matthew 25:34-40)

Each of the attendees at the dinner received note cards with Fr. Brankin’s depiction of the Good Samaritan. It was truly a beautiful gift that reflected Catholic Charities’ gratitude for the generous work performed by so many. With Fr. Reith’s permission, I gave Fr. Brankin’s depiction of the Good Samaritan to Ms. Diane Knight, to the Honorable Beth Hanan, and one to Jay, Kirara and Liz Mack. Without a doubt they, the leadership and staff of Catholic Charities, and all who attended the Good Samaritan Dinner, follow Jesus’ command to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Note: This blog originally appeared as the Sept. 19, 2023, "Love One Another" email sent to Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki. If you are interested in signing up for these email messages, please click here.