“The Lord is the maker of them all”

To the faithful of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City,

The rich and the poor have this in common: “The Lord is the maker of them all.”

I think this inspired Scripture also is an inspired theme for this year’s Catholic Charities Annual Appeal. Pope Francis charges each of us to “go to the margins.” He teaches that the Church is a “field hospital” to a world in great need and we ourselves ought to return, “smelling like sheep.” 

Pope Francis’ highly visual language complements this Scripture passage and the image we’ve selected to go with the appeal. On one side of the image is a woman in need; on the other is a woman perhaps of means, but also in need! Made alike by the Lord, we need each other. 

Those among us whose needs are apparent – poverty, addiction, physical or mental illness, undocumented, homeless – invite us to know them, to see them, to offer of ourselves so they can more fully live the life God intended for them. 

We too have a need to more fully live the life God intends for us. By reaching out to help, connecting with others in need, we learn that relieving their needs actually helps us to meet our own. 

In Christ,


Patrick Raglow
Executive Director
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City