25 July 2013 (ORCNS) - The Anglican Rite Roman Catholic Church has a special mandate of mission, service, and charity, following in the footsteps of its patron, St. Stephen the Deacon and Martyr. Deacons led offices in the early church known as deaconries that helped to provide for the needs of the poor. Saint Stephen was known for his great charity and was among these first deacons and is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. He was eventually stoned to death for his faith and became the first Christian martyr.
This legacy of charitable service is continued by the ARRCC as a particular church today, supporting food banks and homeless shelters, children's medicine, clothing supplies, educational programs, and more. This is accomplished in part through the efforts of its charitable wings such as the Deaconry of Santa Maria Antiqua, the Order of Saint Stephen, and the Order of Mary Immaculate. Carrying the Holy Sacrifice on the altar to the world, The Bishop of Saint Stephen, Cardinal Rutherford Johnson said, "Faith must be put into action in order to have any meaning. If we are to be Christ-like, then we must help others as Christ helped others."
The charitable works of this Old Roman Catholic patriarchate have touched six continents. The Patriarchal See made it clear that there is no score card and that there is always a vast amount of work to be done. The Anglican Rite Roman Catholic Church continues in mission, service, and charity to help make the world a better place and, above all, to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people.
