Each year, the OCSJM participates in the CCHD Multi-Media Contest, inviting young  people from grades 7 through 12 to submit a multi-media project in ANY form to creatively illustrate the annual theme.

The contest  works to demonstrate the link between charitable works and advocacy to address the root causes of poverty. The OCSJM awards a monetary prize to the local winner. 

This year's contest runs until March 12th.  Please see the flyer for more information or contact Sarah Hillier, Sarah.Hillier@aohct.org.

Are you a young adult with an interest in fighting poverty and the systems that oppress people? 

There is still time to apply for a summer internship opportunity at the Office for Catholic Social Justice Ministry, sponsored by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.

Working from our office in New Haven, an intern will have opportunities for one-on-one interactions with local CCHD groups, research, training and outreach, and parish interaction, under the supervision of the Archdiocesan CCHD Director.

To apply, download and complete the application found at the OCSJM website and send it to our office with your resume'. Applications must be received by March 1, 2014. 

For more information contact  Lynn.Campbell@aohct.org  

On Tuesday, February 25 at 3 pm ET,  Catholic Charities' Parish Social Ministry Section will host a special webinar to examine what our church teaches us about the "institutional path" of charity discussed by Pope Benedict XVI in his last encyclical, "Caritas in Veritate."  

Pope Benedict XVI reminded us that every Christian is called to practice the form of charity that establishes the common good in our society. In that encyclical, he referred to this aspect of charity as "the institutional path - we might also call it the political path - of charity, no less excellent and effective than the kind of charity which encounters the neighbor directly."  

This presentation will consider the issues and challenges for promoting advocacy and organizing within our parish communities.

Presenters: 
Ron Jackson, Sr. Director, Gov't Affairs, Catholic Charities USA 

John Gonzalez, Developer, Parish Social Ministry, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Rockville Center, NY

Click here to register for this free and informative webinar.

Riverfront Earth Day: Singing the Song of Our World 

Date: April 27, 2014
Children's Activities:  12:00 pm

Interfaith Prayer Service: 12:45 pm
Festival: 1:00- 5:00 pm  

Join us on Sunday, April 27th for the 2nd annual Riverfront Earth Day Interfaith Prayer Service and Festival, co-organized by the OCSJM and Interreligious Eco-Justice Network!

The Interfaith Prayer Service will be held at Charter Oak Cultural Center, 21 Charter Oak Ave, Hartford at 12:45, gathering people from around the archdiocese to pray for the respect and care for creation. Children and families are invited to participate in arts and crafts activities at Charter Oak, beginning at 12:00 pm. 

Following the prayer service, participants will be invited to march (less than one mile) through downtown Hartford to the Riverfront Plaza Festival, making a public statement that climate change is REAL. The Festival will offer people an opportunity to learn how to protect our planet, incorporating green businesses, exciting performances, engaging exhibits, and fun activities for all ages. 

Both the Interfaith Prayer Service and the many Plaza activities offer great opportunities for parish and family involvement. Join us for this important day of prayer and celebration.

For more information, visit:
https://www.facebook.com/riverfrontearthdayct

http://riverfrontearthdayct.org/

It's not too early to be thinking about Lent!

Pope Francis, in his World Day of Peace message in January, said:  

"The human family has received from the Creator a common gift: nature. The Christian view of creation includes a positive judgment about the legitimacy of interventions on nature if these are meant to be beneficial and are performed responsibly, ...by wisely using resources for the benefit of all, with respect for the beauty, finality and usefulness of every living being and its place in the ecosystem. ...Yet so often we are driven by greed and by the arrogance of dominion, possession, manipulation and exploitation; we do not preserve nature; nor do we respect it or consider it a gracious gift which we must care for and set at the service of our brothers and sisters, including future generations."

How can we reflect on this, and find ways to change our habits of thought and consumption, as part of our Lenten fasting, renewal and conversion?

Lent 4.5, Christian Simplicity: Protecting God's Creation, Embracing Gospel Justice, Nurturing Spiritual Fulfillment is an excellent resource for bulletin inserts and for group reflection and action. The weekly handouts and sessions focus on simplicity, food, consumption, water, energy, transportation, gratitude and generosity.  

Visit the Passionist Earth and Spirit Center website to learn more and/or to order the resource. 

Contact Congress to support the Second Chance Re-authorization Act of 2013 (S. 1690, H.R. 3465). This proven program authorizes funding for state and federal programs that help people leaving prison reintegrate back into their communities so that they do not re-offend. Programs focusing on education, literacy, job placement, substance abuse treatment and other goals, give people the tools they need to be productive members of society.  

The U.S. Bishops call for reforms to the criminal justice system to promote the common good, help restore a sense of community, promote rehabilitation and resist the violence that too often engulfs many of our communities. In their 2000 pastoral statement, Responsibility, Rehabilitation, and Restoration: A Catholic Perspective on Crime and Criminal Justice, the Bishops state:  

"We call upon government to redirect the vast amount of public resources away from building more and more prisons and toward better and more effective programs aimed at crime prevention, rehabilitation, education efforts, substance abuse treatment, and programs of probation, parole and reintegration."

 
For more information, check out these resources:

Responsibility, Rehabilitation, and Restoration: A Catholic Perspective on Crime and Criminal Justice  

USCCB Criminal and Restorative Justice Backgrounder   

Many faith communities across the country are participating in the Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath Weekend, March 14-16, 2014, organized by Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence. The Sabbath Weekend will remember those who have lost their lives to gunfire, pray for those whose lives have been forever changed by

the loss of a loved one, and continue the discussion on how communities of faith can work together to reduce gun violence.

Participation can be as simple as a prayer petition in the Liturgy and/or church bulletin, or a larger event such as a special prayer service, a candlelight vigil, or a speaker on gun violence. Currently, over 600 commitments have been made by members of Faiths United. The March Sabbath website (above) provides creative resources and suggestions from different faith traditions.