Denver Catholic

PAID ADVERTISEMENT Serving the poor in developing countries is often a challenge because locations are remote, access to electricity is unreliable, and modern systems are usually too complicated to provide practical solutions for the problems families are facing. Because of this, the missionary priests and religious sisters serving in these difficult conditions often turn 'to old-fashioned methods' in achieving their goals. "Sometimes, relying on old ways of doing things is best," admitted Jim Cavnar, CEO of Cross Catholic Outreach, a respected and successful Catholic ministry founded to serve the poor around the world. Very often, Cavnar's team works with Catholic ministries located so far from modern conveniences that age-old solutions must be used to overcome the challenges faced by struggling families and the ministries that serve them. For example, Cavnar's preferred solution for supplying safe water in a remote African village is to install a traditional deep water well with a simple, manual hand pump. This idea of tapping an underground source to supply families with clean water is nothing new. Jesus Christ's encounter with the woman at the well is a case in point, and productive wells are mentioned in the Old Testament too. Much has changed since biblical times. Yet, in the world's developing countries, accessing safe water has remained an ongoing struggle, and installing simple wells continues to be an excellent way to achieve successful results. "Our ministry was founded to support Church-based efforts to benefit the poor, and we are often asked to help provide clean water sources," Cavnar said. "It's a godsend to families that have had to travel long distances to find water — especially since many of the streams and ponds they draw their water from are also used by animals and are often filled with bacteria and parasites." Cavnar is familiar with the value of quality wells because his ministry has funded the construction of many water systems around the world. "One of the big projects we have going on now is focused on the Central Plateau of Haiti, an area where water scarcity and contamination have become serious problems," Cavnar said. "Fortunately, our in-country partner there — the Kobonal Haiti Mission — is perfectly positioned to lead the water projects we have planned for that area." (See the related story on the opposite page.) Once a specific community has been identified and its needs assessed, the mission brings in heavy machinery to drill the well. Since some areas of the world suffer from regular droughts that can lower the water table, determining whether to drill based on the depth of the well becomes a critical decision too. "In some cases, we've had to drill down 200 meters or more to ensure we reach a plentiful source of water," Cavnar explained. After the well shaft is encased in a special tubing to preserve its strength and purity, pump tests are run to ensure that there is enough water for the community, and water quality is checked to make sure the water is safe for people and animals. With proper maintenance, simple wells and hand pumps like these can serve a community for decades and bless generations to come. "There's a lot of excitement on the day a new well is blessed and dedicated to God," Cavnar said. "It is a deeply moving experience, and we often share those stories with our U.S. donors who helped fund the work. In fact, Catholics here in the United States play a critical role in this effort. If it weren't for them, we would never be able to provide this safe water to families in need." Readers interested in supporting Cross Catholic Outreach's water projects and other ministries to the poor can contribute to the ministry by using the brochure inserted in this issue or by sending a tax- deductible gift to Cross Catholic Outreach, Dept. AC02427, PO Box 97168, Washington, DC 20090-7168. The ministry has a special need for partners willing to make gifts on a monthly basis. Use the inserted brochure to become a Mission Partner, or write "Monthly Mission Partner" on mailed checks to be contacted about setting up those arrangements. Cross Catholic Outreach's Installation of Safe Water Wells Transforms Lives Cross Catholic Outreach Endorsed by More Than 115 Bishops, Archbishops Cross Catholic Outreach's U.S. benefactors have made a huge diff erence in the lives of poor Haitian families by installing simple wells with sturdy, reliable hand pumps. It's an old-fashioned but cost-eff ective solution that produces incredible results. Cross Catholic Outreach's range of relief work to help the poor overseas continues to be recognized by a growing number of Catholic leaders in the U.S. and abroad. "We've received more than 115 endorsements from bishops and archbishops," explained Jim Cavnar, CEO of Cross Catholic Outreach. "They're moved by the fact that we've launched outreaches in almost 40 countries and have undertaken a variety of projects — everything from feeding the hungry and housing the homeless to supplying safe water and supporting educational opportunities for the poorest of the poor. The bishops have also been impressed by Cross Catholic Outreach's direct and meaningful response to emergency situations, most recently by providing food, medicines and other resources to partners in Haiti, El Salvador and areas of Belize impacted by natural disasters." Archbishop Thomas Rodi of Mobile, Alabama, supports this mission, writing, "It is a privilege for me to support Cross Catholic Outreach. This organization funds ministries to our neighbors in need in Africa, Asia, Central and South America, and the Pacific. Through the generosity of so many, the love of God is made visible to many who are coping with the most difficult of daily living conditions." In addition, many of the bishops and archbishops are encouraged that Pontifical canonical status was conferred on Cross Catholic Outreach in September 2015, granting it approval as an official Catholic organization. This allows the ministry to participate in the mission of the Church and to give concrete witness to Gospel charity. "Your work with the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development is a strong endorsement of your partnership with the work of the Universal Church," Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco said. "By providing hope to the faithful overseas by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, delivering medical relief to the sick and shelter to the homeless, and through self- help projects, you are embodying the Papal Encyclical Deus Caritas Est."

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