The Pope recently met with representatives of several charity and aid groups in Lisbon. One of them, the representative of the “Seraphim Parish Centre”, said that they provide specific assistance to people in extremely difficult situations, especially lonely children and the sick.
(Vatican News Network) Pope Francis met with some representatives of the Charity and Aid Center in Lisbon on August 4. Fr. Crespo, head of the parish and St. Miso Center, first gave a welcome speech to the Pope. He introduced his own experience and explained the parish and social center where the meeting was held that day. Because of the community in which it is located, the center is also known as the Seraphim Parish Center. The parish and center were established in the same year, 1959. The first parish priest “understood from the very beginning that in order to proclaim the Gospel to the people here, it is necessary to pay attention to the specific realities of the inhabitants, whose rights and necessary means of living a legitimate life with dignity are not protected”. Subsequently, this work continued and led to the development of many social assistance programs that were established in response to people’s needs.
Currently, the St. Miso Social Center has more than 170 employees capable of providing services to nearly 800 people. They serve a wide range of services including kindergartens, youth centers and aged care homes, as well as support services for families in need. “People’s lives have improved, but there is still a lot to do,” said Fr Crespo. Father Crespo concluded by expressing that he hoped that this World Youth Festival would encourage us to do more and “bring joy to all”.
After Father Crespo introduced the parish center of Seraphim to the Pope, two other charitable groups, namely, the “Help the Children” home and the “Believe” association also introduced their work to the Pope. The Helping the Children home was established 25 years ago to take in abandoned children. Believe has been caring for children and young people with cancer for 30 years, with a mission to “be with all children and young people”.
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2023-08-06 12:59:44
