By Elias Rashidi
The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) is the U.S. Catholic bishops’ domestic anti-poverty program.
Serving over the summer as a CCHD intern with our diocese’s Office for Life, Peace and Justice was an eye-opening experience that has shaped my perspective on social justice and the Church’s role in addressing poverty and working with organizations that accompany the poor.
I first learned about the CCHD internship program from a fellow seminarian, John Murcko, who was a CCHD intern in the diocesan Office for Life, Peace and Justice in the summer of 2022. Later, he was awarded a CCHD diocesan alumni follow-on internship in the summer of 2023, working with parishes in the Imperial Valley to address the root causes of poverty.
John spoke constantly about how the program was a fantastic opportunity to contribute to society and the Church. His enthusiasm and passion for the program piqued my interest, and I began to explore what the CCHD program was all about.
This past spring, I was selected as a CCHD intern. My internship began in May with an orientation trip to Washington, D.C., to learn more about the role that CCHD plays in the U.S. Catholic Church.
Among other things, I learned that CCHD is the leading way by which the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops addresses the systemic causes of poverty in the United States. It does so by supporting organizations that empower low-income individuals and communities.
Most of have probably never heard of CCHD and, for those who have, it was probably in the context of the annual collection at Mass every November. Some of us may believe that CCHD funds go directly to those who are in need, but many, including myself, never fully understand the depth and breadth of the work that CCHD supports. The monies collected almost exclusively go to nonprofit organizations, aligned with Catholic teaching, that work on the conditions and causes of poverty in order to reduce systemic poverty in the communities they serve.
When I started my internship with CCHD in the Diocese of San Diego, I had very little knowledge of the program beyond the annual CCHD diocesan collection. I soon learned that, in our diocese, there are currently three grant recipients, each grant organization working tirelessly to address issues of poverty and injustice. My CCHD internship experience not only deepened my understanding of Catholic social teaching but also reinforced the importance of active participation by the entire Church in social justice efforts.
One principle that stood out to me during my internship was the formula of “See, judge and act.” This method encourages us to first see the source of a problem, then to judge or interpret the situation in light of our faith and, finally, to act on behalf of those who are marginalized and living in poverty. I believe this is something every Christian should apply in daily life. If we all took the time to see the issues around us, judge them with compassion and understanding, and then act to address them, our world would be a much better place.
One of the most notable experiences during my internship was the time I spent at Father Joe’s Villages, San Diego’s largest homeless services provider. Every Wednesday and Thursday, I would assist at the Father Joe’s day center program. The center provides essential services such as showers, laundry, and a place to receive mail – simple things that many of us take for granted but which are life-changing for those without stable housing.
I vividly remember one individual admitting to not having had a shower in a month, and I saw the relief and gratitude that person felt after finally being able to get clean. It’s moments like these that made me realize the profound impact that small acts of kindness and tangible support can have on someone’s life.
I am deeply grateful to the Office for Life, Peace and Justice team and the entire diocesan staff that welcomed me for my summer internship at the diocesan Pastoral Center. I would particularly like to thank the office’s director, Dr. Bobby Ehnow, for the opportunity he gave me to work as a CCHD intern for the diocese, and Deacon John Roberts, the chaplain at Father Joe’s Villages, for his support as I learned to work with our homeless community members.
As I continue my journey toward the discernment of priesthood, I carry with me the lessons I learned during this internship. The importance of Catholic social teaching and the call to serve those on the margins will undoubtedly shape my future ministry. I look forward to applying these principles in my parish and continuing to work for justice and peace in our world.
Elias Rashidi is a seminarian for the Diocese of San Diego.
