In the meantime, federal workers and their families and those helped by federal nutrition and housing programs have felt the impact of the shutdown. Lucas Swanepoel, Catholic Charities USA’s vice president for social policy, said that many of those workers who had been furloughed were making their first visit to Catholic Charities in search of assistance. These were “people with dream middle-class jobs,” he said.

This week’s issue shares the story of Shazell, who because of the shutdown received her SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits early, but was told by the government she’d have to stretch them over a longer period of time. Every bit counts, said the mother of four, who noted that when her kids’ school was closed recently because of cold weather, they missed out on meals offered through the free and reduced meals program.

The federal Section 8 program also was affected. During the shutdown, the government was unable to renew contracts and set up payments for many landlords who participate in the voucher program. That trickled down to renters, some of whom have been told they would have to pay the full rent or face eviction.

As echoed by some U.S. bishops, Congress and President Donald Trump must come together to reach a bipartisan solution in order to avoid another shutdown. Some of our most vulnerable brothers and sisters won’t be able to withstand another shutdown. Many government workers as well as those receiving federal assistance already are living paycheck to paycheck — not only is this disruptive, but in some cases it also could lead to catastrophe.

Catholic social teaching instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first. While we might not have control over a government shutdown, we can step in to help. Inviting a federal employee who might not have ever had to ask for assistance to seek help from an organization like Catholic Charities of St. Louis or the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is one way in which we can get involved. Making a donation to a food pantry or volunteering are other suggestions.

“We have to state, without mincing words, that there is an inseparable bond between our faith and the poor. May we never abandon them,” Pope Francis wrote in his apostolic exhortation, “Evangelii Gaudium.” “Each individual Christian and every community is called to be an instrument of God for the liberation and promotion of the poor, and for enabling them to be fully a part of society. This demands that we be docile and attentive to the cry of the poor and to come to their aid.”