During a homily a few weeks ago, I discussed Prince of Peace’s engagement in the Church’s “Consistency of Life Ethic.” A Consistency of Life Ethic is based on the fundamental principle of Catholic Social Teaching, which acknowledges the dignity of every human life. We are a Church that recognizes the image and likeness of God in each person – each person is sacred, from the moment of conception until natural death, and every moment in between.
One example that I provided in how Prince of Peace engages in the Consistent Ethic of Life is through our participation in CarePortal. After my homily, I had many people ask about CarePortal and how they can get involved.
You can read more in depth about CarePortal here, but I want to provide an overview.
CarePortal is a technology-connecting platform that was established right here in Kansas City, and has rapidly expanded across the nation. The platform brings the needs of hurting children and families in our community to our attention – in real time.
For those of you who are not technologically inclined, you can think of CarePortal as the “classified ads” section in an old-school newspaper. There are three components to this metaphor:
• Those who are submitting classified ads are government (county & city) caseworkers who uncover the needs of hurting families and children right here in Olathe.
• Those who are subscribing to the newspapers are the local churches who are made aware of these critical needs by reading the “classified ads” section.
• And the classified ads section of the newspaper, which connects the needs of hurting children and families to those who want to respond – that is the mission CarePortal.
Perhaps a clumsy metaphor – maybe an actual example will help. Last month, we received the following need through CarePortal.
We have an urgent request to be filled. There is a young pregnant woman that has been through a tragic situation. She is struggling but determined! Her baby boy is due on Friday, July 1st and she has nothing but a car seat at this time. We are trying to get as many items as possible to alleviate the stress she is under knowing her baby may come and she has nothing to bring him home to.
We heard the cry of that woman – a cry that echoed: “Lord, am I valued...do I have dignity? What about my child?”
And our response to this cry was described as “overwhelming” – we provided all the essentials for that mother and child, not only for a few months, but perhaps the rest of the year. Because of our participation in CarePortal, we were able to respond to the cry for help from a young mother and child in our own backyard, whose needs may have otherwise gone unnoticed.
CarePortal is just one of the many ways Prince of Peace manifests our Consistent Ethic of Life into the world. I want to personally thank our Social Concerns Committee for their incredible work, which helps Fr. Greg prioritize and respond to the myriad needs of our local community.
If you would like to become involved in the CarePortal ministry, please reach out to Phyllis Mills at pavmills@gmail.com. From my experience, Phyllis does an exceptional job in carefully reviewing all the opportunities submitted by caseworkers, and emailing us those opportunities in which we can make the greatest impact.
I am proud that Prince of Peace is a part of the CarePortal system – just one of many ministries in which we bring a Consistent Ethic of Life into our hurting world.
Peace and Grace,
Deacon Mike