Office for Catholic Social Justice Ministry - Archdiocese of Hartford

Para espa�ol haga clic aqui. June/2015

Advancing Catholic social teaching by educating and preparing parishes

to work for social justice

From the Director

"Praise Be!"

The highly anticipated encyclical has arrived! Why all the hype? After all, we have a long history of writings about the environment and climate change.

I believe the excitement is that this is the first time a top-level papal teaching has been exclusively devoted to ecology. An encyclical is one of the highest levels of papal guidance to the Church, and more broadly to all people of goodwill. The message is intended not just for Catholics but for everybody. And still, despite the consensus of scientists and credible agencies such as the U. S. Military, NASA, and the National Academy of Sciences, there are those who create doubt.

Climate change is very much a social justice issue. It is the poor who suffer the most when we don't act responsibly for God's creation. We have a moral responsibility to respond to climate change in order to care for others and for God's creation.

We look forward to bringing resources to you about the encyclical and helping the people of the Archdiocese of Hartford discuss and act upon this important teaching.

Lynn Campbell, Executive Director

In This Issue

From the Director

Laudato Si Calls for Care and Conviction

Conference Proclaims "Vayan al Mundo"

St. Louis Awards Certificates

Humanitarian Crisis in Syria

Respecting the Dignity of Domestic Workers

"Second Chance" Act

On the Ethics of Energy

Being "Salt and Light"

Social Action Summer Institute

Make Hunger History!

Resources and Opportunities

CALENDAR

JULY

July 1

Rice Bowl Grant Application Deadline

July 19-23

Social Action Summer Institute (SASI), Portland OR

SEPTEMBER

September 20

Catechetical Sunday "Human Dignity"

OCTOBER

October 27

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

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Social Justice Conference!

"Laudato Si" Calls for Care and Conviction

"Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 25:40)

We are familiar with this call to care for "the least of these." In his new encyclical, "Laudato Si," ("Praise Be") Pope Francis brings a distinct perspective to the discussion of the needs of the most vulnerable among us. He lifts up the moral dimensions of the "care for our common home," calling us to care for creation as a way to care for each other.

Our conviction that we are one human family must compel us to act, because "The effects of the present imbalance can only be reduced by our decisive action, here and now." (161). Pope Francis writes about actions that can be taken at all levels, starting with one's individual conversion, which "... calls for a number of attitudes which together foster a spirit of generous care, full of tenderness:

It entails gratitude and gratuitousness, a recognition that the world is God's loving gift, and that we are called quietly to imitate his generosity in self-sacrifice and good works
It also entails a loving awareness that we are not disconnected from the rest of creatures, but joined in a splendid universal communion. As believers, we do not look at the world from without but from within, conscious of the bonds with which the Father has linked us to all beings." (220)

The encyclical itself is a very readable document, accessible to all who desire to reflect on our place in creation and our role in its care. The USCCB has developed a number of useful resources for individuals and parishes. Study guides for parish groups, resources for liturgy and preaching, materials for classroom integration, and advocacy steps can all be found at their website. A link to the full document and a brief overview are available at our website homepage.

Pope Francis encourages us all to begin now, with the small steps:

"Saint Therese of Lisieux invites us to practice the little way of love, not to miss out on a kind word, a smile or any small gesture which sows peace and friendship. An integral ecology is also made up of simple daily gestures which break with the logic of violence, exploitation and selfishness." (230)

Conference Proclaims "Vayan al Mundo"!

Thank you to everyone who attended the 6th Annual Bishop Peter Rosazza Conference! It was a wonderful day of presenters and participants giving testimony, sharing best practices and being inspired to continue the challenging task of working for justice. If you would like to see some of the resources from the workshops, here is the link on our website.

Participants commented that they learned that, in this work, we must be persistent and develop relationships. Now it is time to go out to the world, as we sang at the conference "Vayan al Mundo," and return to our parishes and communities. If you are interested in organizing a social justice training or event at your parish, please contact sarah.hillier@aohct.org.

"Climate change is a global problem with grave implications: environmental, social, economic, political and for the distribution of goods. It represents one of the principal challenges facing humanity in our day."

Pope Francis, Laudato Si

St. Louis Awards ESL Certificates

For the last fourteen years, the parish social ministry at St. Louis Parish in West Haven has been working systematically on a program that helps immigrant families learn the English language.

The program, created by PSM Coordinator Leonor Cortez, includes both children and their parents, with weekly sessions designed to empower parents to teach and guide their children with homework, writing and reading skills.

At a parish meal and celebration on May 20th, Leonor and her team of teachers presented certificates of graduation to seven mothers from the West Haven community. Four children also received achievement diplomas for writing and speaking skills.

This program has been funded by a Cooperative Parish Sharing grant from the Archdiocese of Hartford, Office for Catholic Justice Ministry.

Humanitarian Crisis in Syria

The UN has reported that there are now 60 million refugees who have left their homes in Syria, fleeing violence, primarily, as well as hunger. As they flood into adjacent countries, these countries are now at risk of being destabilized and overwhelmed.

Catholic Bishops from the region are speaking out to share the plight of refugees and communities devastated by violence and persecution, hoping that awareness will move Christians everywhere will speak up to oppose this horror, and will act to support the millions who are in need of basic, life-saving relief. Hear what they are saying in this short video.

Catholic Relief Services and the Knights of Columbus Christian Refugee Relief Fund, among others, are working to provide food, shelter, urgent medical care and emergency relief to tens of thousands of refugees.

You can help:

Respecting the Dignity of Domestic Workers

Lynn Campbell and Maria Lima from the Brazilian Immigrant Center, at the Public Hearing in Hartford

Legislation that would give certain basic labor protections to Connecticut domestic workers, including home care workers, has passed the state legislature and is awaiting a signature from Gov. Dannel Malloy.

Currently, Connecticut law excludes people who work "in the domestic service of any person" from a host of labor protections, including:

coverage under the state's minimum wage,
eligibility for paid sick days and time-and-a-half overtime pay, and
the ability to bring sexual harassment or discrimination complaints against their employer.

Unfortunately the bill that passed was watered down and, if signed, will only address the latter exemption: allowing domestic workers to file sexual harassment and discrimination complaints with the state Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities.

We feel this is a big step in a positive direction, however, and look forward to continued work with the Brazilian Worker Center, the Naugatuck Valley Project, the CT Catholic Conference, and other allies working together to address the issue of workers' rights.

Second Chance for "Second Chance Act"

Though passed by the CT Senate, SB 952, "An Act Concerning a Second Chance Society," failed to pass in the House of Representatives before the close of the recent regular legislative session on June 3rd. The bill, which is intended to lower incarceration rates and help non-violent offenders get a fresh start with easier access to pardons, will get its own second chance in a special legislative session anticipated this month.

Information on the "Second Chance Act" can be found at:

http://www.governor.ct.gov/malloy/cwp/view.asp?Q=560290&A=4010

For those of you who have not yet contacted your legislators, please do so. Find contact information for your representatives at: www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/CGAFindLeg.asp

Pope Francis has said,
"God is in everyone's life. Even if the life of a person has been a disaster, even if it is destroyed by vices, drugs or anything else-God is in this person's life."

Malta Justice Initiative - Our Opportunity

Catholic social teaching calls us to recognize the life and dignity of victims and offenders. We support policies that will lead to healing and restoration, keep the community safe, and provide a path to productive community engagement.

We have been supporting the Malta Justice Initiative to address criminal justice reform in Connecticut. The group has given presentations across the state and in many parishes - consider making yours the next to host this informative presentation! Visit their website, or view this short video to learn more about the criminal justice system:

The Ethics of Energy

On the heels of Pope Francis' highly anticipated encyclical on ecology, five influential moral theologians, with support from other colleagues and experts in the natural and social sciences, have published a new study offering guidance on ethical energy production and use.

"Catholic Moral Traditions and Energy Ethics for the Twenty-First Century" is a collaborative work intended to inspire conversations about where we get our energy, how we use it, and how we can plan ahead for a sustainable, equitable use of resources in the future.

"The moral issues around energy use are extremely complex because of the science and economics of individual choices," said Dr. Erin Lothes, the lead author. "And they are global in nature. So we wanted a more global perspective, especially from the global south" than any one author could contribute. Dr. Lothes said that the resulting interdisciplinary approach allowed for "accuracy and credibility" in how the natural sciences speak of the benefits and harms - that is, the ethics - of various uses of energy sources.

The full text of the new publication (36 pages) is available at the Journal of Moral Theology, free to anyone who is interested.

New Website Helps Catholics be "Salt and Light"

WeAreSaltAndLight.org, a new website of the U.S. Bishops' Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development, helps Catholics respond to Jesus' call to be "salt of the earth" and "light of the world" (Mt. 5:13-16).

The website includes:

More than 50 inspiring stories of real Catholic communities being Salt & Light (including several from our own Archdiocese!)
Over 100 resources on praying, reaching out, learning and acting together
Assessment tools to find ways to grow as faith-filled disciples at home and abroad
A 1-minute introductory video
Responsive design, for usability on handheld devices

WeAreSaltAndLight.org equips Catholics to live out Pope Francis' call to "go forth" on mission. It also seeks to help Catholic communities-especially parishes, dioceses, schools, universities, seminaries, religious communities, and ecclesial movements-to carry out the vision of the U.S. bishops' landmark document, Communities of Salt & Light: Reflections on the Social Mission of the Parish.

Social Action Summer Institute

The Archdiocese of Portland will host the 29th annual Social Action Summer Institute, or SASI, "Cherishing Creation: Life, Earth and the Common Good," on July 19-23 at the University of Portland in Portland, OR.

Join colleagues from across the country for this unique opportunity to -

Learn about the biblical foundations of justice and the theological foundations of Catholic social teaching.
Explore the Catholic teachings on ecology including Pope Francis's recently-released social encyclical on ecology
Build practical parish and diocesan ministry skills.

This special week of training offers education, professional development and advocacy training for diocesan and parish social action ministers. Registration is now open!

Make Hunger History!

Do you need to expand your parish food pantry? Thinking about creating a community garden? Offering a new poverty education program?

Your parish, Catholic school, or archdiocesan may be eligible to apply for a new grant. 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 goals and outcomes. Recipients must also confirm their intention to actively participate in and promote the CRS Rice Bowl Lenten 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.

The grant application deadline has been extended until July 1, 2015.

Resources and Opportunities

Scriptural Rosary for Justice

May is the perfect month to pray the rosary in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The U.S. Bishops offer a nice little booklet called Scriptural Rosary for Justice. Using the biblical themes of justice and peace, this booklet contains reflections on the fifteen mysteries of the rosary. This resource includes the Luminous Mysteries and is available in English and Spanish.

A Year of Encounter with Pope Francis

Inspired by the urging of Pope Francis to "encounter" one another, especially those of us that society typically ignores, undervalues or "excludes," PICO, a faith-based community organizing network, has developed a 6-session study guide to both challenge and encourage you, your family, and friends as you seek to encounter and be transformed by your community across race, faith, gender, and economic class. The guide is intended for use in parishes, in all of their diversity, across the United States. Its goal is to start a conversation that leads participants into deeper relationship - with one another and with all people in a parish and community who feel the pain of exclusion. To review the sessions, which include a discussion process as well as videos and resources, click 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