During our last Cleveland Catholic Forum event, “Cleveland Church Clustering: Building Faith Communities Beyond Parish Boundaries,”  I gave a brief talk prior to Bishop Roger Gries keynote address, that highlighted a simple fact: 

As good Christians we often focus on the flaws of the Catholic Church and look for ways to improve them.  However, every now and then, it is important to remember the tremendous amount of good that the Church does.

So here are some facts about the Catholic Church and what it is:

A Church that feeds and clothes millions of people every day

A Church that provides medical care to those that can’t afford it or find it

A Church that provides hope to the oppressed

A Church that stands up for the rights of the innocent – the unborn, the elderly, the orphan, the refugee

A Church that unifies the family

A Church that schools our children and gives back to the community

A Church that teaches forgiveness, love and patience

A Church that can provide the moral leadership that can help to bring down tyrants and free nations

A Church that lifts the sinner to sainthood

A Church that betters our own lives