When Pope Francis was in Washington, D.C., a clerical news commentator explained the variety of Catholic Charities programs offered in the nation’s capital compared to other Catholic Charities. He described how the mix of local programs depends on the needs, finances, staffs and volunteers of particular dioceses. He drove home the point by saying, “When you’ve seen one Catholic Charities, you’ve seen one Catholic Charities.”

The late Speaker of the House, “Tip” O’Neil, famously said all politics is local, and so are our services.

But the Catholic Church and Catholic Charities cross national borders and continents. We are as global as the definition of “catholic,” and as local as neighborhood needs. People contribute to national and international crises as they arise, such as tsunamis and tornadoes, but they also expect their donations will be applied to those in need in our own parishes or local communities.

So we’re “glocal,” as the business leaders express it, namely, thinking globally but acting locally. There are operational similarities to be sure, but just as each diocese reflects changing demographics and economies within its boundaries, so too its Catholic Charities organizations draw on universal teachings to meet the reality of local needs.

Among the differences: unlike major metropolitan areas, the Rockford Diocese’s Catholic Charities organization does not itself run housing complexes, nursing homes, hospitals, or orphanages.

Among the similarities: Rockford’s Catholic Charities joins with other Catholic Charities around the country to provide adoptions, community and school counseling, pre-school and after school care, advocacy for the elderly, support and outreach for teens with unplanned pregnancies, services for newly arrived legal immigrants, emergency assistance for some smaller immediate needs, and refugee resettlement for those who are fleeing wars and persecution because of their faith or politics.

As with successful glocal businesses, Catholic Charities relies on the knowledge, intelligence, dedication, creativity, diversity and passion of its staff. Unlike private businesses, however, our “glocal” programs require and appreciate volunteers who bring dedication and a willingness to serve, even beyond the four corners of a program’s definition. For example:

• Our adoptions professionals work across state lines to complete complicated adoptions;

• Long-term Care Ombudsmen interact with families of residents across the country;

• Refugee Resettlement caseworkers from Myanmar, Kosovo, Vietnam, Burundi, and Nigeria work with volunteer English teachers from several diocesan parishes;

• Our community outreach means that ethnic populations from Latin America, Asia, Eastern Europe and Africa are heard and valued.

Businesses need customers to buy their products. Catholic Charities needs parish members to buy into our services. Every program reaches beyond the borders of local parishes or the Rockford Diocese.

Our faith base inspires employees and clients, protects children, educates adults and influences other not-for-profits. If a program intrigues you, there’s a chance for you to go “glocal” with us.

For volunteer opportunities, contact Winn at pwinn@rockforddiocese.org