Greetings!
Eradicating poverty is a central moral challenge of our age -- one that cannot fall on the shoulders of a few. Standing up against poverty is a 'yes' response to our baptismal call. This implies partnership and collaboration. It also means identifying the root causes of poverty, and implementing strategies to tackle its many ramifications.
In 2009, Pope Benedict appealed to world leaders, "Achieving the goal of eradicating extreme poverty by the year 2015 is one of the most important tasks in today's world...such an objective is indissolubly linked to world peace and security." (Caritas in Veritate, 2009).
Poverty devastates families, communities and nations. It causes instability and political unrest and fuels conflict. On Wednesday, October 17, people around the world will observe the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. EfJ has provided a prayer service to commemorate this day that you can use in your classroom, parish gathering, or personal prayer. If this is not feasible, perhaps you may take a moment of silence to remember our sisters and brothers living in poverty.
In addition, this posting includes materials that explore other dimensions of poverty, including a piece on growing economic inequality by Fred Kammer, SJ; a backgrounder on the 10th anniversary of the USCCB's statement A Place at the Table; and a resource for the feast day of St. Francis exploring the connections to climate change. We also offer a prayer service calling for calm and dialogue amidst recent violence and unrest in the Middle East, and a reflection on faithful citizenship ahead of the November 6 elections.
Together, let us dare to confront root the causes of poverty that deprives so many of our sisters and brothers of their basic human rights. Together, we can make poverty history.
Please feel free to contact us if we can be of further service to you and your ministry. If you are not already a member please join us now! If you have let your membership lapse please renew now! Companions on the journey for justice, Sister Dianna Ortiz and the Education for Justice Team efj@coc.org |
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UN Day for the Eradication of Poverty
| | Prayer Service 
This three-page resource is a formatted, ready-to-use prayer service commemorating the UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Included is a handout of images of children, women, and men (from every continent) living in poverty. Each participant will be given a photograph of a person and will be invited to "dialogue" with him/her on the root causes of poverty.
Go to resource |
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The Prophets on Poverty
| | Scripture and CST 
Biblical scholars have noted that one of the most prominent themes in the Old Testament is a concern with the suffering of the poor. This two-page resource provides background on poverty in the Scriptures.
Go to resource
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Domestic Poverty and the 2012 Elections
| | Bulletin Insert 
Amidst the heated rhetoric of the 2012 election season, people living in poverty seem all but forgotten. This bulletin insert includes updated statistics on domestic poverty, reflections from Catholic Social Teaching, and questions for candidates to public office.
Go to resource
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Voting and Discipleship
| | Election 2012 
As Election Day 2012 approaches on November 6, this reflection considers some of the resources available to help Catholics form their consciences prior to entering the voting booth.
Go to resource
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United in One Voice: No to Violence, No to Hate
| | Prayer Service 
This five page prayer service features the voices of interfaith religious leaders calling for calm amid protests which have flared in Libya, Yemen, Afghanistan, Tunisia, Iraq, Iran, and other neighboring countries in response to an anti-Islam film.
Go to resource
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A Place at the Table
| | Option for the Poor 
A Place at the Table: A Catholic Recommitment to Overcome Poverty and to Respect the Dignity of All God's Children was issued by the USCCB in 2002. Ten years later, after a world-wide economic crisis has left so many more struggling for a dignified life, the message in this document is more important than ever.
Go to resource
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Growing Economic Inequality Matters!
| | Why We Should be Concerned 
Fred Kammer, SJ considers growing economic inequality in this article from the Jesuit Social Research Institute.
Go to resource
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Saint Francis of Assisi
| | Climate Change and Poverty 
The feast day of Saint Francis is celebrated on October 4th. This resource explores the linkages between climate change and poverty.
Go to resource
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Sunday Lectionary Reflections
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Readings, Reflections, Connections and Prayer
The Lectionary Reflections by Fr. John Bucki, S.J., provide an excellent resource for personal or communal reflection on the Word as well as ideas for homily preparation. Each reflection includes a list of the readings, quotes for reflection, connections to Catholic Social Teaching, Prayers of the Faithful/Petitions, links for action and more.
Go to Lectionary Reflections
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