Office for Catholic Social Justice Ministry - Archdiocese of Hartford

Para español haga clic aqui. March
/2016

Advancing Catholic social teaching by educating and preparing parishes

to work for social justice

CALENDAR

APRIL

April 9th, 8:30-2 pm

Laudato Si Workshop

Creating a Culture of Solidarity, Encounter and Relationship

St. Elizabeth All Seton,

Rocky Hill

April 20, 6-9pm

"This Changes Everything"
Patrick Carolan,
Holy Family Retreat Cntr

April 24th, 11:30-5:45

2016 SPRING SPECTACULAR

High Meadow, Granby

JUNE

June 3rd, 9:30-300

Retreat Day: Ocean of Mercy

Mercy Center, Madison

June 11 8am-3:45pm

Bishop Peter Rosazza

Social Justice Conference

St. Thomas Seminary

Bloomfield CT

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From the Director

Recently I had an opportunity to meet with the staff, volunteers, and clients at South Park Inn. These amazing folks are living the Corporal Works of Mercy, day in and day out. The mission of South Park Inn is to assist homeless people to improve their life situation by providing temporary and long-term housing and support services. It is one of the few agencies to offer beds to women and children. Sadly, yes that is necessary in Connecticut.

The organization relies on a variety of resources to support their work, including the Archbishop's Annual Appeal. They are extremely grateful for the support of many church organizations which prepare and serve meals. They also welcome volunteers, especially parish youth groups.

Archbishop Blair accompanied me on one of these visits and had the opportunity to meet with some homeless veterans. We still have a way to go in providing the resources and support these vets need to transition to more permanent housing. We must be wary of reports that indicate an end to homelessness. Being "off the street" does not necessarily mean no longer homeless.

I invite you to reflect on how as individuals, communities, parishes, and society can do to "Shelter the Homeless" during this Year of Mercy.

Lenten Blessings,

Lynn Campbell, Executive Director

WE MOVED!!
Please take note of our new Information: We are now located at: St. Thomas Seminary Office for Catholic Social Justice Ministry 467 Bloomfield Ave Bloomfield CT 06002 Phone: 860-242-5573 Fax: 860-243-0649 Stop by and visit our new digs. We are located on the 3rd Floor

Message For Lent 2016
"Mercy is the force that reawakens us to new life and instills in us the courage to look at the future with hope." Pope Francis

Save the Date!
2016 Bishop Peter Rosazza Social Justice Conference Saturday June 11, 2016 St. Thomas Seminary, Bloomfield "Rooted in Faith, Caring for Our Common Home"

Spotlight on Bishop Peter Rosazza Conference Workshops

These two workshops will be offered during the Bishop Peter Rosazza Social Justice Conference:

Faith and Politics, Do they mix?

Presenter: Deacon David Reynolds, Associate Director for Public Policy

In Laudato Si' Pope Francis calls us to dialogue for new national and local policies. Our nation faces issues that demand urgent moral choices. Using the US Bishop's pastoral statement, "Forming consciences for Faithful Citizenship", we will explore Church teaching on participation in public life.

Economic Justice for All

Presenters: Brazilian Workers Center, Naugatuck Valley Project, and Bishop Peter Rosazza

"Workers, owners, managers, stockholders and consumers are moral agents in economic life. By our choices, initiative, creativity and investment, we enhance or diminish economic opportunity, community life and social justice." U.S. Bishops, "Economic Justice for All: A Catholic Framework for Economic Life", 1986. Bishop Peter Rosazza was one of the authors of this statement. Join representatives from the Brazilian Migrant Workers, Naugatuck Valley Project, and Bishop Peter Rosazza, for a discussion on where we are 30 years later, what are some of the challenges workers face today, and the role we play in promoting worker justice.

This Changes Everything: Laudato Si', Our Planet and Our Common Future

Laudato Si' Retreat

April 20, 2016,

Holy Family Retreat Center, West Hartford

6:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.

The new encyclical, Laudato Si, mi Signore, is, perhaps, the most important document written in our lifetime. The Holy Father writes, "Many things have to change course, but it is we humans, above all, who need to change. We lack an awareness of our common origin, of our mutual belonging, and a future to be shared by everyone." Pope Francis challenges us to rethink who we are in relation to all of creation and gives us hope for a shared future. Patrick Carolan, executive director of the Franciscan Action Network, will discuss what Pope Francis' groundbreaking encyclical means to us as individuals, as a Church, and as a global family. This evening retreat includes an engaging presentation, discussion, and a prayer service for peace with musicians from Holy Family's music ministry. Offering: $40, includes dinner. Register here.

CT Domestic Worker's Bill of Rights

The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers is a principle of Catholic Social Teaching. If the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of works must be respected - the right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, and to the organization and join of unions. We have been working with the Brazilian Worker Center, the Naugatuck Valley Project, and other allies to ensure basic workplace rights, including safe and health working conditions for domestic workers.

Senate Bill 393 has passed the Labor Committee and is heading out to the Senate. It provides domestic workers with safe and dignified work environments and employers with clear guidelines on their responsibilities that will bring domestic workers out of the shadows. Protecting domestic workers also protects the safety of our communities, ensures the health and wellbeing of the families of domestic workers, and strengthens the state economy by freeing up more individuals to participate in the paid workforce. For more information visit the web site.

Legislative Updates

CT Budget: Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's proposed budget calls for cutting funding for mental health and substance abuse treatment, hospitals, community health centers, school-based health clinics, asthma treatment, and respite programs for those who care for people with dementia - and counts on millions more in unspecified cuts to health care and social service systems that advocates say are already stretched thin. A budget is a moral document reflecting our values. Please consider contacting your representatives and let them know that the budget should not be balanced on the backs of the poor and vulnerable. Click here to find your legislator.

Human Trafficking: Connecticut has done some great work to address sex trafficking, but we need to work together to resolve any problems in enforcing our state human trafficking law. Click here for more information on HB 5052 an Act Strengthening Protections for Victims of Human Trafficking.

Sarah's trip to DC

On March 2nd, Sarah Hillier from our office, joined with Catholic Relief Services and 40 faith leaders to advocate for robust funding of humanitarian and poverty-focused development assistance (PDFA). Catholic Relief Services works in over 100 countries to promote the life and the dignity of the human person. PDFA funding helps to make this possible. The faith community provides a moral perspective on foreign assistance. You can join the OCSJM and stand with other Catholics in the U.S. to shape policies that protect the poor and vulnerable overseas. Catholics Confront Global Poverty provides action alerts and ways to get involved. Learn more. (Pictured are Sarah and Representative Larson's Foreign Policy Advisor Srdan Banjac)

Divine Mercy Sunday Procession - Sunday April 3rd
Bring your parish to the city to participate with us! 1:30 gather at Bushnell Park - bring parish or school banners. 2:00 Process to the Cathedral - there will be a shuttle bus for those unable to walk. Parking courtesy of Aetna. 3:00 Prayer/Chaplet/Exposition/Confessions. Bring a non-perishable food item for the Cathedral pantry.

CRS Rice Bowl
Here's how to return your Rice Bowl Money: Please make 1 check payable to the Archdiocese of Hartford for the total amount collected. Please do not send individual checks. The memo on the check should read CRS Rice Bowl, attn: Lesli Anderson. Checks can be mailed to Lesli at 467 Bloomfield Ave, Bloomfield CT 06002 *Thank you for participating in Rice Bowl!*

New! Year of Mercy Resources Available
Incorporate the Year of Mercy into your ministry with the OCSJM's downloadable Corporal Works of Mercy series that can be used as discussion starters or for parish bulletins.

Resources for the New Encyclical Laudato Sí

Laudato Si' Resources In Laudato Si', we are reminded that it is our responsibility to care for the earth -- our common home. Catholic Relief Services offers resources for you to respond, and stories for you to share. Click here for the resources.

The Global Catholic Climate Movement is a community of hundreds of thousands of Catholics like you, responding to the Pope's call to action in the Laudato Si' encyclical. View their collection of Laudato Si' resources and materials here and here.

8 Page Study Guide from the Sisters of Loretto

The following study guide is divided into 7 sections, the 6 chapters of the Encyclical are followed by a final discussion on how to live the teaching. A meeting template for group discussions is included. You might want to meet in one large group or divide into smaller groups; you could meet on 6 separate occasions or you could meet less frequently and combine chapters. Click here for the pdf.

19 Page Pauline Press Study Guide

Pope Francis addresses his encyclical Laudato Sí to all the people of the world. This guide can be used either for individual study or for group discussion of this important document. The guideincludes a summary of each chapter of the encyclical, along with study questions and some reflections for prayer. Click here for the pdf.

CRS and Ave Maria Webinar

In this webinar Ted Miles, Youth and Education Relationship Manager at Catholic Relief Services, highlights some of the core themes of the Holy Father's recent encyclical in light of the environmental challenges faced by the world's most vulnerable people. Explore the collection of resources offered by Catholic Relief Services and others that aid in fostering dialogue and faith-filled engagement with young people on this core issue of our time. Watch it here.