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LoveWalk: Helping all God’s children
archived from: 2013-02-22
by: John Franko

Enthusiastic crowd takes Catholic faith to the streets

Emily Smith, 16, of St. Alphonsus in Wexford captured the spirit of the 23rd LoveWalk for the Poor by quoting Blessed Teresa of Calcutta.

“Peace begins with a smile,” she said.

There were many smiles among the more than 900 people — mostly young — who took to the streets of Pittsburgh’s East End Feb. 10.

Retired Aux. Bishop William Winter led the approximately one-mile walk from Sacred Heart Church in the city’s Shadyside neighborhood to the East End Cooperative Ministry in East Liberty.

To simulate the plight of the homeless, who must often carry all of their possessions with them, the participants carried with them food for the EECM, and diapers and wipes for the Catholic Charities diaper drive.

“Just to be able to see all of the love that is outpoured from all the people who came here and support it is just a wonderful thing,” said John Paul Livella, 17, of St. Gregory in Zelienople.

“That’s what the faith really shows — that we’re here to help all of God’s children.”

Holly Joy Penzenstadler, associate director of the Department for Youth and Young Adult Ministry and co-coordinator of the event, said the LoveWalk’s theme of “We Grow a Tree of Hope, Filled With Acts of Love” reflected the desire to encourage the young people to take the spirit of service within them out to their communities.

At the EECM, the young people made hearts to signify what type of service they would like to share. The hearts were then hung on a tree.

The participants wrote postcards that expressed their appreciation for the priests of the diocese. The cards will be mailed to clergy throughout the year.

“They are excited to be here,” Penzenstadler said of the young people. “They are ministering to their peers, which takes great courage.”

Prior to the walk, Bishop Winter celebrated Mass at Sacred Heart. He told the young people that they must recognize that their talents, abilities and good things in life are gifts from God, and they must be willing to pass them on to others. They must use them to pass on God’s glory and make it known to others.

They are showing others in a definite way, he noted, that there is no one on earth — no matter how downtrodden — that God abandons.

“The love of God is made real to them by our participation in this LoveWalk today,” he said.

Macy Jaskiewicz, 16, of St. Rose of Lima in Darlington was inspired by the bishop’s message.

“It reminded me that I shouldn’t use my gifts and talents just for myself, but we must be able to spread them to others,” she said.

Added Kristen Barczynski, 17, of St. Alphonsus in Wexford: “It’s awesome to spread God’s love.”

Susan Rauscher, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, addressed the gathering. She thanked them for responding to God’s call to be servants for others.

Bethany Shaw, development manager for Catholic Charities and co-coordinator of the LoveWalk, pointed out that it is a true example of Christ’s love in action.

“The church is truly alive in our youth,” she said. “They are an inspiration to Catholics of all ages on how easy it is to get excited about our faith. I hope all who were involved in this event truly know the difference they made in the lives of many in need.”

Deacon Cliff Homer, chief operations officer for Catholic Charities, agreed, adding, “I’m really proud of them and really impressed by their participation and by their willingness to serve others.”

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