Office for Catholic Social Justice Ministry - Archdiocese of Hartford

Para español haga clic aqui. April / 2015

Advancing Catholic social teaching by educating and preparing parishes

to work for social justice

From the Director

The Walking Exercise

We use an exercise in our Leadership Training programs called "The Walking Exercise." The whole group gathers on one side of the room, then participants move to the other side to respond "yes" to a question like "Have you experienced discrimination?" Once the movement is complete, we ask both groups to reflect on how it feels to be on their side of the room, and how it feels to observe those who are on the other side.

One particular question has given us reason to pause. The statement is: "Have you done work for which you have not received fair payment?" Some in the group inevitably answer "yes." It tells us that there are people in our pews who have experienced exploitation. The more people we meet, the more questions we ask, the more our hearts are broken.

And yet, it is these same folks who are inspiring us. I had the opportunity recently to spend some time with Maria from the Brazilian Immigrant Center. Her story is one of not only hardship, but of resilience as well. Maria is a domestic worker. Domestic workers have been excluded from the protections extended under state law to workers in other industries. The Center is one of many groups organizing to support the Domestic Workers' Bill of Rights, which is being considered by CT legislators.

Other low-wage workers are also organizing around workers' issues. On April 15, a national day of action over low wages called "Fight for 15" will occur. Fast-food workers will be joined by home-care aides, childcare workers, adjunct professors and Walmart employees. The U.S. Catholic Bishops have long held that the most effective way to build a just economy is to make decent work at decent wages available for all those capable of working. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, "a just wage is the legitimate fruit of work..."

There are many Marias in our parishes. They are working to raise families, and can't make it out of poverty. Listen to their stories and let them compel you into action. They want a

hand-up, not a hand-out.

Lynn Campbell, Executive Director

For more information on Church teaching on work and labor, visit http://www.domesticworkers.org/connecticut-bill-of-rights

In This Issue

From the Director

2015 Social Justice Conference

OCSJM Board

End Family Detention

Rice Bowl Grants

Parish Learns Mediation Skills

Offering of Letters

Regional PSM Training

Saving the Waters of Life

Aid Provides Lifelines

Hartford Earth Festival

Way of the Cross

Resources and Opportunities

CALENDAR

APRIL

April is

Care for Creation Month!

and

Domestic Violence Awareness Month!

April 25

Restorative Justice Forum, Christ the King Church, Old Lyme, CT 10am - 1pm

April 25

CT Walks for Haiti, St. Peter Claver Church, West Hartford, 10:30 am - 2:30 pm

April 28

"Working to End Extreme Poverty Now," Catholic University of America (and live-streaming) 4:00-6:30 pm.

MAY

May 2

HomeFront Day

May 15-16

Catholic Charities Regional PSM Gathering, Scarborough, ME

May 31

Hartford Earth Festival, Riverfront Plaza, Hartford, 12 noon - 5 pm

JUNE

June 13

Annual Social Justice Conference, St. Paul High School, Bristol

JULY

July 19-23

Social Action Summer Institute (SASI), Portland OR

AUGUST

August 5-8

"Two Feet of Love in Action" Summer Justice Program for Young Adults

OCTOBER

October 27

Annual Social Justice Dinner and Awards, Aqua Turf Club, Plantsville

Join Our List

QUICK LINKS

Visit our WEBSITE TODAY

for resources on current issues

and more information

on our upcoming

Social Justice Conference!

Speaker and Panel to Address Theme:

Creating an Economy of Inclusion

Social Justice Conference on June 13, 2015

Guided by the words and wisdom of Pope Francis, this year's conference will address issues related to the economy, and how our choices and actions can either create or prevent an economy that offers opportunities for all, rather than only for a chosen few.

Our guest speaker, Sr. Simone Campbell, will lead off the day with insights gathered through her tours with the "Nuns on the Bus" project, which has traveled across the US advocating for a just budget, voters' rights and immigration reform. Her experiences as Executive Director of NETWORK, a Catholic Lobby in Washington DC, her encounters with ordinary people struggling to make their way in a challenging economic climate AND her strong faith commitment will all contribute to her powerful message.

A panel of individuals representing three perspectives - individual, parish and community - will consider the topic as part of a Forum called "A Place at the Table." Drawing on personal stories and experiences, Bill Heiden (Financial Professional and father of five), Rev. Mark Suslenko (Pastor, St. Anthony Parish, Prospect) and Maryellen Santiago (Community Organizer, Caring Families Coalition) will explore the values and beliefs that guide our efforts to work for economic justice as individuals, parish groups and as part of the broader community.

Over twenty workshop topics (including a selection in Spanish), prayer, exhibits and conversation will build on this theme and offer insights and strategies on other related social justice issues.

Plan now to join us on Saturday, June 13 at St. Paul Catholic High School in Bristol to share in a great day of learning about the social justice issues that impact the well-being of our communities.

For more information on the conference, workshop descriptions and registration details, visit our website.

We look forward to seeing you there!

OCSJM Board Member Testimonies Highlight Personal Commitments

Kathleen (Katie) Byrnes is the current Secretary of the OCSJM Board of Directors, and an Assistant Chaplain at the St. Thomas More Center and Chapel at Yale University. In the first of a series, Katie responds to a question asked recently of all Board members.

What motivates you to support the OCSJM and the Associates for Justice appeal?

I believe that we are called to make responsible financial gifts that do the most good. OCSJM fulfills that mission for me and allows resources to be directed to real needs within our diocese. In addition, I believe that poverty is one of the most pressing issues of our age and is the source of much of the world's suffering. As Catholics we are called to be leaven in the world and to bring our time, talents and resources to bear on those people and issues in our world where we can have an impact - however small.

The advocacy work of OCSJM, in particular, highlights a real need in our communities of faith. We are not all called to act on the same issues in the same way. We must educate ourselves on the issues that are important and act for change in whatever ways we are able. I am grateful to have a way to be a small part of the voice of OCSJM and to be able to help in a way that puts my talents to work.

Family Detention Policy Unworthy of USA

Family detention centers across the U.S. are filling up with children and young mothers who are seeking shelter from violence, abuse, and persecution in their Central American home countries - and U.S. Bishops are not pleased with the policy. On March 27th, Catholic and Evangelical Lutheran bishops visited with young mothers and children who have fled violence in their home countries and are now incarcerated at the Dilley Detention Center in Dilley, Texas.

The faith leaders called upon the federal government to halt the practice of family detentions, citing the harmful effects on mothers, children and the moral character of society. Additional information about the Bishops' trip to the Dilley, TX detention facility is on the home page of the Justice for Immigrants website. Watch for information there also for the Justice for Immigrants Family Detention Webinar to be presented on Wednesday, Apr. 29th @ 2 pm Eastern time.

Call the White House this week to ask for an end to family detention. The toll-free number to use is 1-855-589-5698.

"By fighting for better conditions, by crying out unceasingly for the rights

of the workers, the poor, of the destitute...we can, to a certain extent, change

the world; we can work for the oasis, the little cell of joy and peace

in a harried world. We can throw our pebble in the pond and be confident

that its ever widening circle will reach around the world."

- Dorothy Day

NEW Rice Bowl Grants Complement Lenten Program

We are pleased to announce our new Rice Bowl Grant Program!

Catholic parishes, schools, or Archdiocesan entities within the Archdiocese of Hartford are eligible to apply. Grants must be used for hunger and poverty alleviation programs within the Archdiocese of Hartford. Preference will be given to new and innovative programs that demonstrate solutions to hunger with specific, tangible goals and outcomes. Recipients must also confirm their intention to actively participate in and promote the CRS Rice Bowl Lenten catechetical program.

Funding for the grants comes from the Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl program, which allows 25% of the money collected to remain in the Archdiocese where it is used to address local hunger issues. Grant applications are available on our website or by contacting our office at 203-777-7279 or info.ocsjm@aohct.org.

* * * * * *

Archdiocesan staff at St. Thomas Seminary participated in Rice Bowl this year, using weekly Lenten reflection materials provided by CRS and enjoying special lunch items prepared by the cafeteria from recipes provided in the Rice Bowl calendar.

* * * * *

Time to turn your FAST into a FEAST. Now is the time for parishes and schools that participated in CRS Rice Bowl during Lent 2015 to send a final check for the RB money collected to the Chancery (134 Farmington Ave., Hartford, CT, 06105-3784), Attention: Lesli Anderson. Thank you for your participation!

Our Lady of Sorrows Parishioners Learn Mediation Skills

Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Hartford, was funded by our Cooperative Parish Sharing (CPS) program to receive training in creating peaceful communities through mediation.

Concerned about the increase in domestic violence in the community and in society, parish members are participating in training with Community Mediation, Inc., a New Haven-based nonprofit organization that promotes peaceful communities and just relationships by enabling individuals, families, organizations and communities to resolve their conflicts themselves through mediation, dialogue, training, facilitation and education.

The goal of the project is that participants will learn concrete skills to communicate more effectively and in non-violent ways during times of conflict, and that some of the participants will go on to become leaders in the parish trained in the skills of nonviolent communication.

Funding for CPS comes from voluntary donations made by parishes throughout the Archdiocese.

Feed Our Children - with Bread for the World

In the United States, one in five children lives in a family that struggles to get enough to eat. For many children, their school lunch is their primary meal of the day. Bread for World's 2015 Offering of Letters is helping parishes to organize letter-writing events to urge Congress to sustain and strengthen our nation's

nutrition programs.

A free copy of Bread for the World's 2015 Offering Letters - including a DVD, bible study, and other resources - can be ordered at www.bread.org/ol/2015/ or by calling 800-822-7323, ext. 1072. Copies of worship bulletins - with a sample letter to Congress - may also be ordered free of charge.

Learn more about how your parish can participate in the Offering of Letters today! Visit: http://www.bread.org/ol/2015/

Catholic Charities to Host Regional Parish Social Ministry Training

Catholic Charities agencies from the New England region, including Hartford, are working together to offer a regional Parish Social Ministry Training Event next month in Maine. Featuring well-known speakers like Jack Jezreel (JustFaith Ministries) and Maria Fitzsimmons, (Archdiocese of Chicago), the weekend event invites parish and diocesan leaders to gather to discover effective strategies for creating a ministry within the parish community. This training provides opportunities to develop leadership skills effective in parish social ministry and to connect with people and resources in our region.

If you are looking to begin a parish social ministry program or to build on your existing efforts, we encourage you to attend this event. The program will run from Friday evening, May 15 through Saturday evening, May 16 and will be held in Scarborough, ME, just outside of Portland. We will assist in the arrangement of carpooling for those interested.

Visit this link for more information, or click to download a flyer, the conference agenda, or a printable registration form.

Saving the Waters of Life

At the Easter Vigil, we heard again of the separation of the waters from the land in the reading from Genesis, and witnessed baptisms with the holy water of life. With April showers, new life springs up from the recently frozen earth. In California, Sao Paulo, and so many other places, people lack needed water, while elsewhere life is threatened by floods or pollution. The changing climate makes farming unpredictable and unsustainable in an increasing number of regions.

Today, clean drinking water is at risk for 1 in 3 Americans!

Pope Francis, in his Angelus remarks on March 23, World Water Day, said:

"Water is the most essential element for life, and the future of humanity depends on our capacity to guard it and share it. I therefore encourage the International Community to be vigilant so as to ensure that the planet's waters be adequately protected and that no one be excluded or discriminated against in the use of this resource, which is a resource par excellence. With St Francis of Assisi, we say: 'Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water, / she is very useful and humble and precious and pure' (Canticle of the Sun)."

What can we do?

Learn More: Read the Clean Water Action Newsletter to learn more about what you can do to defend clean water and the policies that support it.

Pray: Try for one day to offer a prayer of gratitude EVERY time you use water [when you shower, brush teeth, flush the toilet, wash dishes, make coffee or tea, etc.] "Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for this water which I use to/for...."

Give the gift of clean water: On the Catholic Relief Services website, go to Donate, GiftCatalog, Water to help fund washing stations, wells, latrines and more, to make clean water available to those with none.

Advocate: In many countries, mining pollutes water sources, oppresses the poor and funds conflict, yet we create demand by our consumer purchases. See http://catholicecology.net/blog/bishops-confront-high-cost-blood-minerals.

Protect Critical Lifelines for Poor Children and Families

The House and Senate are proposing budget cuts that would mean drastic changes to the human needs programs that most successfully help people survive and move out of poverty: programs like Medicaid, SNAP, low-income tax credits. Proposals also include painful cuts to education, housing, child care, Head Start, home energy assistance, and much more.

In this letter to Congress, Archbishop Wenski (Miami, FL) and Bishop Cantú (Las Cruces, NM) address the moral dimensions of the Federal Budget and urge protection of programs that serve poor and vulnerable people.

Please take a few minutes this week to make three calls or to write to urge your members of Congress to support a budget that gives priority to the poor and protects human life and dignity. Budget priorities need to protect critical lifelines for children and families in America.

U.S. Senator's Office: 1-888-496-3502 Representative's Office: 1-888-738-3058

We need a budget that supports a strong safety net, and the needs of low income persons and those living in poverty!

Raise Your Voice for the Planet!

EarthDay Logo

On June 5, 2015 the United Nations will celebrate World Environment Day. In anticipation of that event, join us for the Hartford Earth Festival on Sunday, May 31 to remind our leaders that we are still calling for climate justice!

A Mass will be celebrated at 11 am at St. Joseph Cathedral in Hartford to launch the day, and the Hartford Earth Festival will commence at noon with a short vigil and rally on the steps of the State Capitol. After a march to Riverfront Plaza, entertainment, exhibits on environmental issues, food and fun will highlight the theme of the day from 1 - 5pm. All are welcome, young and old, to celebrate our planet and call for climate justice!

For more information, visit www.hartfordearthfestival.org. Click here for an overview of the festivities; a form to indicate your intention to participate is included here. (Reduced admission tickets to the CT Science Center may also be ordered on this form. Deadline to order Science Center tickets is April 30th.)

Harmful Chemicals Impact Children

Advocate today to Urge your CT legislators to co-sponsor HB 5653, An Act Concerning Chemicals of High Concern for Children.

This bill, now before the Public Health Committee, represents an important step toward informing responsible governmental agencies and parents about potential harms to children, so they can be better avoided. Children, both before and after birth, are uniquely vulnerable to harm from chemical exposures. The Roman Catholic Church, committed to protecting the right to life and the dignity of every person, supports legislation to better identify and understand the risks to children's health from unintended and unforeseen chemical exposures from consumer products, and to find effective ways to limit or eliminate these exposures. Thousands of chemicals in consumer products have never been tested with regard to their risks to children, so their potential danger to children's health and development is unknown.

Little Things Matter: The Impact of Toxins on the Developing Brain

Many chemicals are persistent and bio-accumulate in human bodies. Over 200 chemicals can be measured in the umbilical cord blood of most babies born in the U. S. and many are found in mothers' breast milk.

To learn more about chemical exposures and their impacts, view this short video, "Little Things Matter: The Effects of Toxins on the Developing Brain."

Resources and Opportunities

April is Care for Creation Month

The Global Catholic Climate Movement has produced Care4Creation Month resources in support of Pope Francis's April prayer intention for creation. The Movement has published several prayer resources, and also urges Catholics to sign its petition calling for an international climate change treaty that keeps the global temperature rise below the dangerous threshold of 1.5°C, and aids the world's poorest in coping with climate change impacts.

Restorative Justice
The Diocese of Norwich Office of Prison Ministry will offer its first Restorative Justice Forum on Saturday, April 25, 10am - 1pm, at Christ the King Church Hall in Old Lyme, CT. The forum will feature a screening of the new film, Unlikely Friends, and a panel discussion led by award-winning director, Leslie Neale. For more information and a registration form, click here. Registration deadline is April 20th.

CT Walks for Haiti

Saturday, April 25, 2015, 10:30 am-2:30 pm, starting at St. Peter Claver Church, West Hartford. This sixth annual event embodies collaboration between parish groups and area nonprofits, all serving Haiti. The event includes a walk-a-thon and a silent auction, featuring four tickets to a Red Sox game. For more information: www.ctwalksforhaiti.org

Conference on Ending Extreme Poverty Now

Join participants at Catholic University or America, in person or via live stream, for the program, "Ending Extreme Poverty Now: Working Together with the Poor," on April 28, 2015 from 4:00-6:30 p.m. The conference is sponsored by the Institute for Policy Research & Catholic Studies (CUA), United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Relief Services, Catholic Charities USA, U.S. Agency for International Development, and the Africa Faith & Justice Network. Information on both the event and on live-streaming (available on the day of the event) is located here.

Confirmed for Service to the World

Catholic Relief Services has created a new confirmation resource designed to invite students to respond to the call to service through solidarity. Using the issue of global water scarcity as an example, the program explores the connection between Confirmation and service, encouraging those being confirmed to understand service as a part of their Christian vocation, not just a requirement to be fulfilled. (1.5 hour lesson plan, available in both English and Spanish.) Click here to view: In English En Espanol

Pray for Victims of Abuse

In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, U.S.C.C.B. has created a bi-lingual prayer card to pray for healing for victims of abuse. You can view the prayer card here. To order publication no. 7-495, visit usccbpublishing.org or call 877-978-0757.

Social Action Summer Institute in Portland, Oregon

Save the Date! Join Diocesan and Parish Social Ministry Leaders from across the country on

Sunday July 19 - Thursday July 23 for "Cherishing Creation: Called to the Common Good." The Catholic Church was caring for creation before it was cool! Click HERE to register today!