The Diocese of Camden announced Monday the launch of a program aimed at fighting poverty in South Jersey, CBSPhilly reports.
The papal countdown project, called "Forty Days of Francis," hopes to help parishioners prepare for the pope's visit by acting on his challenge to "hear the cry of the poor," according to Bishop Dennis Sullivan.
“Reaching out to them with great love and charity in order to lift them up, and assist them — some of them are in desperate situations of poverty,” Sullivan told CBSPhilly.
The countdown intends to not only educate parishioners about poverty in the area, but also to connect those who want to give, and those who are in need, with Catholic charities.
Sullivan said the need extends beyond Camden to nearby counties like Cape May, Atlantic and Cumberland.