The common good in America is being threatened, and many of us don't even know it. We may have some inkling, but our awareness of the peril is not top-of-mind --- nor is the role we can play in overcoming the danger.

The threat's effects are insidious and the evidence is everywhere. And I am not talking about terrorism, a challenged education system or high summer gas prices.

The threat to the common good is poverty.

Experiencing the poor and homeless on the street is very common, and often uncomfortable and awkward. For many, we also experience the poor while volunteering at some sort of assistance program.

But many of us do not realize that we also meet the poor when we eat at a restaurant, visit the local retail store, talk to a service rep or stay in a hotel. These are the working poor and their children.

From the parable of the Good Samaritan we are taught that any person in need is our neighbor. The message is clear, but where do we take it from there?

Our response varies from the not so good (ignoring the panhandler) to the positive (volunteering at a dining room or writing Congress).

As Christians we simply cannot disregard the fundamental command to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and welcome the stranger. How far that duty extends varies based on our abilities, resources and invitations from God.

Catholic Charities agencies around the nation have begun a campaign to urge policy makers to reduce poverty in half by 2020. Poverty in America: A Threat to the Common Good explores our moral and ethical response to the poor, the scope and nature of poverty, and policy solutions. (Visit www.catholiccharitiesusa.org.)

In California, Catholic Charities agencies are expanding the discussion by incorporating ideas from Deus Caritas Est, Pope Benedict's first encyclical on love and charity.

Poverty in California: Our Catholic Response explores the particular needs and solutions to poverty in our state and the role of the laity in achieving a just state. (Visit www.cccalifornia.org for a copy.)

These campaigns highlight national and statewide conditions of poverty. In your own neighborhood there might be particular issues that demand attention. Local affordable housing questions or issues with wages and working conditions may pique your interest.

Every person --- no matter where they are in life --- has an inherent worth and dignity. It is often easier to recognize it in the struggling single mother than it is with the homeless mentally disabled person on the corner.

Both need someone to stand up for them.

California has nearly 5 million people below the Federal poverty line. That number would be much higher if official statistics took into account the higher cost of living in the Golden State.

How do you know how you can help, or even where to start?

One of my wife's favorite sayings is, "The world only had one Savior, and it wasn't YOU." That's why it is important to work on an issue you are passionate about, but also recognize that the Holy Spirit calls each of us to different roles.

An able young person might be called to build houses. The corporate executive may be asked to volunteer management skills for a non-profit. The busy parent is called to raise children with Christian values.

Supporting recognized charities is critical. It is through the work of organizations like Catholic Charities, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and countless other faith-based and non-sectarian groups that a tremendous amount of life-changing and effective charity takes place.

But all those groups combined don't come close to matching the power and resources of the government and that's why it is critical to advocate for the poor and vulnerable in our city halls, county offices, Sacramento and Washington, D.C.

Plus it doesn't take much more than a phone call, first-class stamp or email access to make your concern for the poor and vulnerable known to elected officials.

Whatever the issue --- hunger, health care, housing --- it is right and natural, says Pope Benedict, for the Catholic laity to let their officials know of the needs of the poor.

As the Good Samaritan parable tells us, those in need are our neighbors. And advocacy is one of the many ways we can help.

Steve Pehanich, executive director of Catholic Charities of California, provides public policy assistance to the 12 Catholic Charities agencies in the state. Email him at spehanich@cactholic.org.