Who we are
No one can flourish in poverty. Many charities that reach out to families and communities who struggle with the effects of poverty and hardship, know this all too well. Now the effects of the coronavirus is only putting more pressure on already strained situations and compounding the need for extra resources, both materially and financially. The Common Good Foundation, on your behalf as Catholic Care in action, can provide assistance to groups working in the community, to make a difference.
The Common Good Foundation is the rebranded version of what was originally the Hamilton Catholic Foundation formed by Bishop Gaines in 1983 and then renamed Catholic Care some 20 years later. Though the Foundation has changed its name several times, its focus has always remained the same to help provide the resources to enable individuals and groups within the Hamilton Diocese to seek out and assist those that are in need. Fundamentally, we act as a bridge between those who can provide resources through donations, pledges and bequests and those who actually require support by way of funding or assistance. The restructure of the Foundation undertaken last year, to reduce our costs in administration, now ensures every dollar raised through donations will be funding programmes in local communities, and not used for management purposes, excepting of course actual costs in fundraising. Each year the Foundation distributes accumulated funds from our return on investments and the generous donations received from appeals and monthly donors to charities working with those in our community. The Foundation also receives an annual allocation
from the Tindall Foundation (via the Catholic Bishops Conference) to distribute on their behalf to worthy causes. We are particularly keen to support programmes aimed at helping people help themselves. Over the past 9 years these charities have included those working in the areas of mental health, elder care, the homeless, foodbanks, youth and children, refugees and immigrants, rehabilitation of prisoners, pregnancy counselling, the abused and victimised, poor families and welfare budgeting, to name a few.
Our mission The mission of Common Good Foundation is closely aligned to the principles of Catholic Social Teaching. We believe in preserving human dignity, in providing for the needs of the poor and vulnerable, in assisting local communities to resolve local issues and promoting the concept of the common good, as we are all created in the image of God.
Broadening our focus to include Parish-based initiatives While we will continue to assist Catholic Family Support Services and other recognised charities, it is envisaged funds raised during our annual appeal will be allocated to parish or chaplaincy based initiatives that address the needs of the poor, marginalised
Principles of Catholic Social Teaching (from NZ Bishops’ Conference website) Human Dignity - Every person is to be valued and be worthy of respect, having been created in the image of God. Human Equlity - we each have different talents, and those are to be used for the common good. Respect for Life - Human life at every stage is precious and worthy of protection. Right of Association - people achieve fulfilment by association with others Right of Participation - people have a right to participate in society and to become full members
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to it, through work, education or even political participation.
people to help themselves - giving them a leg up!
Solidarity - as one human family working together for justice for all.
Common Good - (as defined by Pope Saint John XXIII) “the sum total of social conditions which allow people, either as groups or as individuals, to reach their fulfilment more fully and easily� (Pacem in Terra)
Protection of the Poor and Vulnerable - the needs of the poor and vulnerable (as intsructed by our faith) must come first. Stewardship of Creation - we also have responsibility for the environment, our personal talents and the resources given to us by God. Subsidiarity - local issues are resolved by local people and communities who are closer to the problems. A case of helping
The good is common because only together as a community, and not simply as isolated individuals, is it possible to enjoy, achieve and spread this good. All people are obligated to work towards making the common good a greater and greater reality.
