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Join our list | |
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Active Action Alerts |
For Ohio General Assembly:
(Click on underlined words to be linked to the alerts.)
Catholic Schools : expand ed choice, Cleveland scholarships, auxillary services, special needs
For Congress:
Farm Bill: nutrition programs; farm subsidies for crop insurance, conservation
Bills with reduced spending are being debated in both Houses of Congress. Action is urgently needed!
Immigration Reform: urgent action for Senate Judiciary Committee!
Senator Brown:
Washington, DC: (202) 224-2315
Ohio:
Toll Free: 1-888-896-OHIO (6446) or
Cleveland: (216) 522-7272
Lorain: (440) 242-4100
Senator Portman:
Washington, DC : 202-224-3353
Ohio:
Toll-Free: 1-800-205-6446 (OHIO)
Cleveland: 216-522-7095
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A Message from Catholic Charities USA about the Devastation in Oklahoma |
On Monday, Oklahoma was devastated by violent storms and tornadoes; as many as 148 million people across 500,000 square miles have been affected.
As this heartbreaking situation continues to develop, Catholic Charities USA and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City are monitoring the situation on the ground and stand ready to assist emergency personnel with disaster response and recovery. Your donation will go directly towards providing families and individuals with shelter, food, and other immediate and long-term needs.
As a network, we understand what we need to do and are ready to do our part.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this disaster.
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Pictures from the Lake and Geauga Dinner |
Sr.Kathleen Ryan welcoming guests.
Terry Flannigan saying a few words about Catholic Charities.
Jim Clement and Kelly Davis with the Sowers of Justice award winners, Fr. Dan Redmon for St. Mary Parish in Chardon and  Individual award was given to Laura Tenerove from St. John Vianney Parish.
Ann Coplan and Sr. Josie Chrosniak cashing out the Silent Auction.
Andrew Bramante, immigration attorney, explaining the issue and the possibilities being debated by Congress.
Sr. Rita Mary Harwood, Diocesan Secretary for Parish Life, Kelly Davis, Director of the Lake/Geauga Commission, and Sr. Kathleen Ryan, Executive Director of Diocesan Social Action. |
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OhioFair Trade Expo Returns in the Fall |
Save the date:
Saturday,
October 12.
John Carroll Campus
More information will becoming in August. |
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Mass of God's Creation
Saturday
June 1,2013
see article under Ohio Catholic Rural Life for details |
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Dear Friends,
Thank you to all who take action on the issues important to the Catholic community and to the most vulnerable whom we serve. This winter and spring, advocacy and raising awareness about issues in our parishes has been extremely important. All of the staff has been busy with speaking engagements, helping with materials for programs, calling and writing government officials, and coordinating some parish activities. It has been exciting and busy. Our work is not done, so do review the action alerts in the left column and make a call or send an email.
As of this week, we are a full staff again. We hope you give Rachel Schmidt a warm welcome as she learns how our office operates and takes her place with the Lorain Commission.
New materials have been donated to the Micah Center on both international and domestic issues. Please see the descriptions below. The new DVDs are great for movie nights with discussion. Personal education is also enhanced by borrowing these materials. Consider using them personally, in small groups or as a parish. When the Akron office is open, we invite you down to see what we have, meet in our Center to plan a program, or review the DVDs.
Thanks for all you do!
Sr. Kathleen Ryan, Karen Leith, Pat O'Bryan, Kelly Davis, Rachel Schmidt and Ann Coplan |
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Lorain Commission Has New Leader | |
Rachel Schmidt has accepted the position of Program Administrator for the Catholic Action Commission of Lorain County. She started on May 20.
Rachel is from Canton, OH. She attended Glen Oak High School, Walsh College and just graduated witha Masters in Religious Studies at John Carrroll. Shefocused on social justice in both programs.
In an effort to put her knowledge of Catholic Social Teaching to practical use, she lived at the Catholic Worker homeless shelter for two summers, was a founder and Vice President of Walsh University's "Walsh for Justice and Peace" organization, President of Walsh Students for Life, a Service and Social Outreach Officer for Walsh Student Government, interned at Community Services of Stark County, and volunteered at several soup kitchens.
Rachel was the Principal of her parish Religious Education Program in Canton. She was responsible for the parish sacramental programs, recruiting the teachers and organizing the program. She did several volunteer mission trips with her parish to areas in Appalachia.
Rachel will also assume the responsibilities for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. |
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Great New Materials in the Micah Center for Parish Use | | |
 The Micah Center has new materials for parish use. These are good for a movie night, small group discussion or even personal education.
Sun Come Up (www.suncomeup.com): This 38 minute award winning documentary from New Day Films is about the Carteret islanders search for a new home as the rising waters of the Pacific flood their island. Touching personal stories in the search for a new home and what that means in terms of giving up their history and identity. Catholic Climate Covenant has prepared packets with handouts, resources and a discussion guide for parishes, youth ministry and college audiences. The master copies of these as well as other handouts that can be used can be borrowed with the video. To learn more go to www.catholicclimatecovenant.org. Visit the Ohio Catholic Conference's page on care for creation to find a checklist of actions that can be taken from the personal to the group level (www.ohiocathconf.org ).
Carbon Nation (www.carbonnationmovie.com ): This 89 minute documentary is about climate change solutions. Even if you doubt the severity of the impact of climate change or just don't buy it at all, this is still a compelling and relevant film that illustrates how solutions to climate change also address other social, economic and national security issues. You'll meet a host of entertaining and endearing characters along the way. Great entertainment as well as very informative. Would be a good discussion for a parish movie night.
I AM (www.iamthedoc.com ): This 78 min. documentary from the director of Bruce Almighty, The Nutty Professor, and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective is a must see. Suffering from a severe concussion after a bicycle accident, Tom Shadyac asks "what's wrong with the world?" and "what can we do about it?" in this challenging documentary about the way we live our lives. Though he ultimately recovered, he emerged with a new sense of purpose, determined to share his own awakening to his prior life of excess and greed, and to investigate how he as an individual, and we as a race, could improve the way we live and walk in the world. It is both entertaining and enlightening.
Great Decisions 2013 PBS Series (www.greatdecisions.org and www.fpa.org ) This DVD is a series of 8 half hour shows made for use on PBS about 8 issues in US foreign policy. There is a resource book of 8 essays to accompany the series, but it is not necessary to spark discussion using the filmed programs. These are well made and include a short history of the problem, current policy or lack of policy and the possible actions that we can take. The 2013 topics include: future of the euro, Egypt, NATO, Myanmar, US Intervention, Iran, China in Africa and Threat Assesment (Defending the US on a Budget). Past years of the Great Decisions programs are also available.
God Grew Tired of Us (www.godgrewtiredofus.com) : This 90 minute award-winning documentary explores the indomitable spirit of three Lost Boys from Sudan who are forced to leave their homeland. If you cannot have some of the actual Lost Boys who live in Cleveland come, this is a good alternative - or preparation for a visit by Cleveland's Lost Boys.
The Economics of Happiness (www.theeconomicsof happiness.org ) : This 65 minute documentary describes a world moving simultaneously in two opposing directions. On the one hand, an unholy alliance of governments and big business continues to promote globalization and the consolidation of corporate power. At the same time, people all over the world are resisting those policies, demanding a re-regulation of trade and finance-and, far from the old institutions of power, they're starting to forge a very different future. Communities are coming together to re-build more human scale, ecological economies based on a new paradigm - an economics of localization.
There are also numerous DVDs on the death penalty.
Books:
Groody,SJ, Daniel G., 2007. Globalization, Spirituality and Justice. Orbis Books. Fr. Dan Groody, a professor at the University of Notre Dame wrote this for Orbis Books Theology in Global Perspective Series. In Groody's words, "This book is a reflection on how to think about poverty, justice, and liberation in light of Christian faith and within our global context." It is great discussion for any group that wants to deepen its understanding of Catholic Social Teaching.
Crosby, OFM, Michael H., 2012. Repair My House: Becoming a "Kindom" Catholic. Another challenging book from Orbis Press. Crosby uses both his degrees in economics and New Testament spirituality to challenge us to a life of love in the context of the North American church. |
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Highlights from the Commissions
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From Cuyahoga County:
The Commission on Catholic Community Action
has been busy both in the high schools and the parishes.
The Commission planned and sponsored the Catholic Schools for Peace and Justice (CSPJ) Summit, Breaking Barriers: Making the Invisible Neighbor...Visible on March 8, 2013. Bishop Lennon celebrated the Liturgy and conducted 2 workshops on Immigration and Refugees. Sister Helen Prejean, CSJ, author of Dead Man Walking was the keynote speaker. 500 students from all 21 Catholic High Schools participated. 40 workshop presenters spoke on poverty, human trafficking, disabilities, immigration and migration, incarceration, bullying and violence.
A parish network meeting was conducted around current advocacy issues.These included a major focus on Medicaid Expansion and Immgration Reform.
Sr.Kathleen was guest presenter around areas of social justice at the 12 district meetings of the parishes, including presentations on Immigration Reform and Medicaid Expansion in Ohio.
From Wayne, Ashland and Medina Counties:
The Catholic Commission of Wayne, Ashland and Medina has lots of parish programs on social justice issues happening:
The Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish social justice group hosted the movie, "Restless Heart," about the life of St. Augustine. The excellent movie had two showings in a Wadsworth cinema before 400 people, who came from the three counties of WAM.
Sr. Anne Victory will be giving a presentation on human trafficking for the district in the Fall with Colene Conley of St. Martin of Tours
Parish, who was trained by Sr. Anne Victory.
Fr. Koopman will be giving an August 21 Year of Faith presentation and discussion at Sacred Heart Parish, Wadsworth, on the social doctrine of the Church in the Catholic Catechism.
We are also promoting our adapted Catholic pledge against violence for our parishes' use.
Had a very successful annual dinner. Our award winners:
Anna Mary McDonough, Michael Berken Peace & Justice Award
Jeff Trush and Catholic Works of Mercy, Faithful Servant Award
From Lake and Geauga:
This year the Catholic Commission of Lake and Geauga Counties hosted a very successful Peace & Justice Dinner at the Center for Pastoral Leadership on the 27th of April. The event included a delicious dinner catered by the CPL (complete with an ice cream bar for dessert), a greatly expanded silent auction, three "Sowers of Justice" awards and a talk on the recently proposed Senate Immigration Reform Bill.
The committee chose Laura Tenerove from St. John Vianney for the "Sowers of Justice" Individual Award for her lifetime commitment to the poor through her leadership in the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. John Vianney Parish in Mentor.
The Community "Sowers of Justice" Award was given to two very deserving organizations this year. The award was presented to St. Mary Parish in Chardon, lead by Fr. Dan Redmond, and United Way Services of Geauga County, lead by Kimm Leininger, for their outstanding response in helping the Chardon community heal from the tragic shooting on Chardon High School on February 27, 2012.
The highlight of the event for many was the talk given by Andrew Bramante, a former math teacher from St. Ignatius High School who became an immigration attorney.
Read the details here...
From Summit County:
The Catholic Commission of Summit County has been very busy on several fronts.
St. Barnabas is starting a new Jobs Club with courses on basic computer skills. Parishioners from both the Social Concerns Committee and the St. Vincent de Paul Society are partnering on this initiative.
The Economic Justice Committee is a partnership of several parishes.This group is working on a basic manual to help people access online help in job searches, overcoming barriers to employment, and other useful information. These binders will be placed in many parishes and the Akron Public Library.
The Commission has used meetings to educate themselves on poverty and barriers to employment, climate change,federal and state budget issues, especially immigration reform, Medicaid Expansion,and the Farm Bill. Speakers, films, and powerpoint presentations have aided the process.
Karen has done several parish and special group presentations on issues of importance. She has also conducted a series on foreign policy at Laurel Lake.
Karen met with members of the Catholic Charities Southern Region Youth Social Justice Sprint to plan a day for youth ministers and youth leadership teams. Focus will include leadership development, the opportunities for direct service and the need for advocacy, and ways youth can be involved in the Catholic Charities system.
From Lorain County:
Lynn Novak and David Taut of our Catholic Action Commission of Lorain County executive committee worked on a CCHD grant for the Gardens' of Eatin' initiative of twenty gardeners, St. Peter's Parish of No. Ridgeville parish garden, and Grafton Correctional Institute's horticulture program, in concert with several parish food pantries throughout the county and Town
& County Co-op. This project is in the 2ndyear of development.
Barb Hornbeek, the chair of the CACLC, is chairing the committee for the annual dinner to be held at Sacred Heart Chapel on June 15. Rachel Schmidt willbeintroduced to the community at this time. The awardeeshave been selected: Barb Hornbeek was selected as the Bishop A.J. Quinn Justice Award winner and Darla Strah of Our Lady Queen of Peace and Maria Elena Figueroa of Sacred Heart Chapel are co-recipients of the Faithful Servant Award. |
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Ohio Catholic Rural Life | |
The 20th annual diocesan Mass of God's Creation will be celebrated on Saturday, June 1 at the 5 PM mass at St. Peter's church in No. Ridgeville. Bishop A.J. Quinn will be the celebrant. The flyer is attached here for your use.
Everyone is invited, all urban/suburban/rural backyard gardeners or farmers, people in the work of growing plants, produce, livestock, all who love and honor God's creation on earth -- all are invited to attend.
Those who have plants, soil, seeds, water, produce in containers can join in the procession at the beginning of mass and place their items on the colorful fabric stretched before the altar, where these items and the congregation will receive blessings from Bishop Quinn after the homily.
Also available in baskets after mass are packets containing the soft red winter wheat seeds from northern Ohio wheat growers which are milled at the Star of the West Milling Co. in Kent, OH. These seeds from this mill represent 85% of all the wafers used for Holy Eucharist in the U.S. and Canada, as well as 50% in Great Britain. Attached is the story of these seeds.
People can take the items they've placed in front of the altar with them after mass. After mass there will be an informal, neighborly get-together with finger food, beverages, etc. and Catholic literature on the environment, food, rural life, etc. |
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Local CCHD Grants to Be Preseented on June 18 | |
Cleveland Central Catholic High School: Catholic Schools for Peace and Justice (CSPJ) Stand Up for Life: Recommended: $1,000.00
Catholic Schools for Peace and Justice is a network of 21 Catholic High Schools and 3 area Catholic colleges collaborating together to provide educational and experiential opportunities for the youth on the seven principles of Catholic Social Teaching. CCHD funds will be used for scholarships and to keep the expenses down on the social justice events to benefit the student population.
Westlake Area Youth Group of St. Ladislas & St. Bernadette:
The Days of Martha and Mary: Recommended: $500.00
To offer a week-long Cleveland-based service immersion experience to High School Age youth in the Diocese of Cleveland as an alternative to the typical mission trip which takes us away from the reality of the poverty in our area; to educate youth about the seven principles of Catholic Social Teaching, and to help young Catholics learn to balance action and contemplation, service and community, justice and charity.
Community Grants and Parish Cluster Grants
Sagrada Familia Parish Social Justice Commisstion:
Horizon of Hope (Horizonte de Esperanza): Recommended: $2,000.00
The Horizon of Hope (Horizonte de Esperanza) Project will work with the Sagrada Familia Christ Teen Crew (CTC) to develop healthy relationships programming that will enable youth and parents to learn what a healthy relationship looks like, what the warning signs are of unhealthy relationships and how to talk with each other about creating healthy relationships. Uppermost in this program will be helping teens and parents understand the qualities of healthy interpersonal relationships and how to avoid situations of interpersonal abuse and violence.
Esperanza Threads: Recommended: $1,000.00
Provide industrial sewing training to low income individuals with barriers to employment and prepare same for good quality, green collar jobs.
First Community Interfaith Institute of Ohio (FCII-OHIO):
Job Training Program for the Homeless: Recommended: $3,000.00
A job training program in collaboration with the St. Joseph Homeless Shelter to assist members of the Loarin County homeless population with job development and job retention skills in addition to personal coaching, resume preparation and job referrals and follow-up.
Summit County Collaborative Initiative Against Human Trafficking:
Preparation Program and follow-up: Recommended: $2,000.00
There are many young girls pulled into the sex trafficking trade who have no idea of how they might escape. Many traffickers use athletic events to "sell" the young women. Through this program, we plan to place phone numbers on bars of soap and distribute these bars through hotel/motel lavatories during the Akron Bridgestone Golf Invitational this summer. These bars will inform the girls of a possibility of help. It will also help inform the hotels/motels in the area of the crime of human trafficking and what they might do to help eradicate this crime.
Our Lady of the Lake Parish:
The Euclid-Collinwood Network: Recommended: $2,750.00
The goal of this project is to create a dynamic network of local civic, economic, non-profit, faith based, business and neighborhood groups capable of calling citizens together to talk about improving the quality of life in the neighborhood.
St. Colman Parish Outreach Ministry:
St. Colman Neighborhood Computer Access Project: Recommended: $2,750.00
People who are poor cannot access jobs, education, or other information about opportunities because they cannot afford their own computers or internet access. This project will provide a total of 60 adults with education in basic internet access, e-mail use, word processing and computer maintenance. At the end of their training, each participant will be given a refurbished personal computer and access to one year of reliable internet access through Mobile Citizen. The student will be asked to pay for this access but the program will help to supplement payment if they are not able.
St. Barnabas Social Concerns Commission and St. Barnabas St. Vincent de Paul :
St. Barnabas Job Club: Recommended: $2,250.00
To assist individuals in obtaining basic skills required in searching for employment. We will focus on individuals who are entering the workforce for the first time and those re-entering who may need to hone their skills. We are seeking to help those who are searching for positions non-professional in nature. (mission statement of group)
St. Peter Church on behalf of Catholic Action Commission of Lorain County:
Gardens of Eatin' Fresh Food Initiative: Recommended: $2,300.00
Our goal is to establish a relationship with the inmates of the Grafton Correctional Institution who are part of its horticulture program. The hope is that this will enable the inmates to build linkages which can foster support from the community upon re-entry and assistance in job networking in related fields such as horticulture, agriculture, nursery, etc. A second goal is to establish an alternative structure of pantries connected with the county-wide gardeners of fresh produce. This will allow food to be distributed more efficiently from growers to pantries that may require additional food on any given day.
Saint Monica Parish:
Career Center: Recommended: $2,000.00
The purpose of this project is to assist low-income and unemployed parishioners from the Satin Monica cluster group to prepare for entering the employment market by providing them with training sessions on counseling, coaching, resume preparation and job referrals.
St. Paul, Akron; St. Sebastian; Holy Family Parishes:
Summit County Resource Manual and Workshop: Recommended: $1,500.00
Create a community resource guide available in parishes for the unemployed, especially those with obstacles, which contains information to find the help needed to gain employment. This resource will help St. Vincent de Paul Societies, Social Justice ministries and other such groups know more about the obstacles that their clients face, and will help clients connect rather than be chronic receivers of aid. The project would include a training session for parish ministries about obstacles to employment and community resources available. More focus will be given to the most vulnerable e.g., those without high school diplomas, and those formerly incarcerated who are experience re-entry issues. |
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Fr. David Fallon Awards | |
Community Award
St. Mary Painesville: Karpos Ministry:
We seek to build and foster relationships with those who are homeless or in need and to become a community of mutual support and mutual vulnerability. The goals of this ministry include the following: to actively foster relationships with one another in order to Be community with one another; to affirm the fundamental dignity and respect due to each God-imaged human being; to include members of the homeless community as a vital part of the team; to address the health needs of the clients through nutritious and delicious meals; to be open to transformation through the Holy Spirit and to anticipate the Kingdom through embodying Christian hospitality.
Youth Awards
St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish: Reducing Homelessness: One Person at a Time
Working to provide a face on the need and right for affordable housing for all people, the teens and adults of the Youth Ministry program of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Wooster have partnered with HOLLY House, Inc. to begin the process of rehabilitating a property to serve as the headquarters and offices for the newly established HOLLY House.
Beaumont School for Girls All School Service Day
The entire faculty, staff and student body worked together on an All School Service Day, working in sites throughout the city of Cleveland to learn more about the work of not for profits, to volunteer their time and to put the principles of Catholic Social Teaching into action.
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Catholic Conference of Ohio | | |
Visit the Catholic Conference of Ohio web site (www.ohiocathconf.org) to read about testimony on issues of human trafficking, statements on gambling and internet cafes, and other issues. There are also links to many national issues on the USCCB (www.usccb.org) site.
Also, be sure to check out the Catholic Conference of Ohio web page on environmental justice entitled Care for Creation. It provides resources for families, parishes, schools and other institutions. |
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