The president of Cáritas da Ilha Terceira (a catholic Social Service Organization), Maria do Natal Sousa, warned of “a new fringe of poor people,” made up of people who had a balanced life and are now facing difficulties, which worries the institution.
“We have new challenges with people who had a balanced life and suddenly, due to a health or financial situation, they can’t overcome difficulties and, even though they are workers and have some income, they can’t meet their expenses. We have here a new fringe of poor people and this worries us and is a challenge for our daily intervention,” said Maria do Natal Sousa.
In an interview with the program “Igreja Açores,” on the occasion of the 8th World Day of the Poor, Maria do Natal Sousa said that Cáritas da Ilha Terceira “has tried to be on the side of those in need and of the entities on the ground trying to help.”
“We are close to the poor and those who work with them; we cooperate with everyone,” she said, noting that ‘it has been a very intense action, with permanent challenges.’

Although Caritas’ action “is increasingly preventative”, focusing on the education and training of vulnerable people, with special attention to children and young people at risk, “emergency work is still being done”.
According to Maria do Natal Sousa, “more and more the problems are systematic and difficult, and today poverty is not just material lack.” Still, it is “associated with other factors of exclusion, such as addictions.”
Praying with the poor is the great appeal of Pope Francis’ message for the 8th World Day of the Poor, which the president of Cáritas da Ilha Terceira translates as “presence and accompaniment.”

“What the Pope is asking us to do is to be close to the poor and look at them beyond the many problems that surround their lives. Beyond the important material issues, we have to see that the poor person is a person who goes beyond their circumstances, and prayer helps us be sensitive to their pain and close to them,” said Maria do Natal Sousa.
On the morning of the 30th of this month, the Bishop of Angra will preside over a Mass at the headquarters of Cáritas da Ilha Terceira and hold an Open Day so that people can learn about the institution’s work.
On that day, the annual “10 million stars—a gesture of peace” campaign will be launched at the regional level.
Cáritas Portuguesa has invited the Portuguese to take part in the initiative by buying a “star candle” for two euros.
Of the money collected, 65% will finance social impact actions in Portugal, while the remaining 35% will support the Laudato Si Lusophone Fund, which finances Integral Ecology projects in Portuguese-speaking countries.

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno, PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES.