Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

Father John Schwartzlose, the director of mission at Catholic Charities of Louisville, delivered a presentation at St. Aloysius Church in Pewee Valley on March 18, urging Catholics to leverage Catholic social teaching to bring about change in Kentucky. Schwartzlose highlighted the pressing need for improvement, stating, "The way things are isn’t OK." He pointed out alarming statistics, noting that Kentucky has the sixth-highest poverty rate in the nation and a significant human trafficking problem.

During the presentation, Father Schwartzlose emphasized the role of Catholics in addressing societal challenges, stating, "As Catholics we are called to the altar to be fed in word, sacrament, Body and Blood, but we are also sent forth." He underscored the significance of Catholic social teaching as a framework for addressing issues that are "out of bounds," grounded in sacred Scripture and papal documents.

Exploring the history of Catholic doctrine on social teaching, Father Schwartzlose traced its origins back to 1891 under Pope Leo XIII, who examined the negative impacts of the Industrial Revolution on workers' rights. He outlined the seven themes of Catholic social teaching and encouraged listeners to reflect on their role in contributing to positive change.

Chuck Morrison, a member of St. Aloysius, echoed the sentiment of active involvement, highlighting the importance of recognizing Jesus in others and serving the Lord. Morrison emphasized, "We are called to go out and see Jesus in everyone we meet. The end-game is to serve the Lord."

In conclusion, Father Schwartzlose shared information about the work of Catholic Charities and encouraged attendees to engage with their initiatives. For those interested in learning more or getting involved, he directed them to visit the Catholic Charities website at https://cclou.org/.