Catholic Charities CS CEO Asks Readers to Live Differently

July 12th, 2009 |

What does it mean to “Live Differently?” It actually begins with thinking differently.

Frustrated by the ever-increasing divide – politically, socially, economically –on a domestic and global scale, Live Differently seeks to provoke thought beyond oversimplified arguments proffered by the Left and the Right.

Live Differently attempts to bring civility to our public discourse by seeking unity before uniformity. It promotes liberty and the responsibility that comes with our freedoms.

Rooted in Catholic Social Teaching, Live Differently calls us to action by pursuing just social structures and looking after the Common Good. It also means addressing matters that sometimes make us uncomfortable such as poverty, racism, and exploitation of the marginalized.

Live Differently is also a call to alleviate suffering in our society by being instruments of mercy. It calls us to create hope and is inspired by words of Pope Benedict XVI who declared, “One who has hope lives differently.” (Spe Salvi)

Mr. Jason D. Christensen is the President and CEO of Catholic Charities of Colorado Springs since 2007. Prior to that, he has served as the Regional Director of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Rockford, Illinois for 6 years where he managed a staff of over 150 employees.

He has a background in child protection and welfare, and refugee resettlement and immigration services, which are direct correlations to programs operated by Catholic Charities of Colorado Springs: Life Connections and the Family Literacy Project.

Before his tenure at Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Rockford, he worked as Business Liaison and Political Director for U.S. Congressman Don Manzullo (R, IL). He was responsible for assisting companies and local governing bodies with problems involving federal agencies, regulations, grants and contracts as well as supervising all aspects of political campaign operations.

Catholic Charities is the social service arm of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Colorado Springs. Catholic Charities provides help and creates hope for people who are poor and vulnerable in our area through the efforts of a wide range of programs and services.

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