Parishioners respond to plea to help the poor

WARWICK — The Rev. William F. Martin was invited to speak at all the Sunday Masses held March 4 at the Church of St. Stephen, the First Martyr.

Martin drew laughter when his timer, visibly placed on the pulpit, sounded to remind him that his plea for sponsors to help support children in poverty was running overtime.

But no one seemed to mind and more than 100 parishioners responded that morning by sponsoring a child.

It was the third visit to St. Stephen’s for Martin who represents the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging.

He praised the St. Stephen’s parishioners for their well above average response to his previous visits, four and eight years ago.

Martin explained that for almost 30 years, Christian Foundation for Children and Aging has brought hope to families living in poverty in 22 third world countries.

Founded in 1981 by lay Catholics desiring to serve the poor, the organization had grown into a movement of more than 250,000 sponsors supporting more than 300,000 children, youth and aging people of all faiths worldwide.

“For only one dollar a day, $30 a month,” said Martin, “ you can provide basic necessities like food, education, clothing and access to medical care for your adopted child. And you can follow his or her progress and they will write to you and hang your letters and photographs in their homes.”

According to its Web site, the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging sponsors children, youth and the aging from all faiths and strives to be a tranquil presence in their lives, alleviating not just material poverty but also creating the bonds of lasting peace and unity among people of diverse faiths and backgrounds.

Anyone or group who may be interested in sponsoring a child living in poverty in a developing country can contact Father Martin at 802-496-0651 or e-mail wmartin@madriver.com.