--- title: Welcoming Neighbors Near and Far description: Unbound sponsor Claire Sweet describes how connection with neighbors around the world fosters inclusion and support for those who desperately need it. image: https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20240124%20Unbound%201.png --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/welcoming-neighbors-near-and-far#) # Welcoming Neighbors Near and Far Jan 24, 2024 8:30:00 AM  |  by [Unbound](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/unbound) ![featured image](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20240124%20Unbound%201.png) *Unbound sponsor Claire Sweet describes how connection with neighbors around the world fosters inclusion and support for those who desperately need it.* --- In Matthew 22, Jesus instructs us to “love your neighbor as yourself.” Have you ever been grateful for the love of a neighbor? Perhaps someone brought your family a meal during a difficult season or invited you over for coffee when you needed a friend. Feeling loved, supported and accepted is truly one of the greatest gifts we can give one another.   Having recently moved to a new country, I’ve experienced firsthand the power of a neighbor’s love. Being invited, included, and embraced into a community is so validating and comes with such relief after droughts of seclusion and loneliness. As I have settled into my new home, I have made it a point to welcome others who are new to the area, extending a hand of acceptance when I know they need it most.  Yet our love has the capacity to go far beyond those who live close to us. Through Unbound, we’ve connected with neighbors around the world, extending that same invitation of inclusion and support to those who so desperately need it.   Poverty can be fraught with isolation and alienation. Sponsorship allows us to be a neighbor to someone who may not speak our language or share our same culture or traditions. We can connect over a shared belief that all people deserve dignity, opportunity, and love.   I am truly grateful for the connections in my life with neighbors both near and far. We are so blessed to experience God’s love through our love for others.    > [Click to tweet: > We can connect over a shared belief that all people deserve dignity, opportunity, and love. #CatholicMom](https://ctt.ac/Vx9fw) **Let’s pray:**  Lord, we thank you for the power of love and friendship that you allow us to experience. We pray that more friendships would form between people of goodwill and the children, youth and elders around the world who are waiting for a sponsor through Unbound. Show us how to love those around us well, and how to reach out to those in need of a neighbor’s care. Amen.    ![null](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20240124%20Unbound%202.png?width=1080&height=1080&name=20240124%20Unbound%202.png) --- Copyright 2024 Unbound sponsor Claire Sweet Images: copyright 2024 Unbound, all rights reserved. ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fwelcoming-neighbors-near-and-far%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fwelcoming-neighbors-near-and-far%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fwelcoming-neighbors-near-and-far%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Welcoming%20Neighbors%20Near%20and%20Far) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fwelcoming-neighbors-near-and-far%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fwelcoming-neighbors-near-and-far%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Unbound](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/UnboundLogo_Media_FullColor_Vertical.png) ### [Unbound](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/unbound) [Unbound](http://www.unbound.org) is an international nonprofit founded by lay Catholics grounded in the Gospel call to put the needs of the marginalized and vulnerable first. We build relationships of mutual respect and support that bridge cultural, religious and economic divides. We bring people together to challenge poverty in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. We invite you to join us. Find us on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sponsorachild), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/unboundorg/), and [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@UnboundOrg). [**](https://www.facebook.com/sponsorachild) ## Related Blog Articles [ In celebration of newness of life Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2017/04/26/celebration-newness-life) [ Unbound staffer part of pope’s new book Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2018/11/28/unbound-staffer-part-of-popes-new-book/) [ A New Year of Generosity Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/a-new-year-of-generosity) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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