January 31, 2020

Inside this issue

• CCUSA Presents the Washington Weekly

  CCUSA Presents the Washington Weekly  
  This week in Washington, Congress remained focused on the impeachment trial, the Supreme Court issued a ruling on public charge, and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops hosted the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering (CSMG).

Public Charge
On January 27th, the Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 decision that lifted a nationwide injunction against the administration's "public charge" final rule. With the court's ruling, USCIS lists February 24th as the first day of implementation.  Despite the injunction's removal, lower courts will continue to determine the legality of the law on its merits.

Under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), an individual may be denied admission into the United States or adjustment to lawful permanent resident (LPR) status if he or she is "likely at any time to become a public charge." Although the INA does not explicitly define the term "public charge," agency guidance since 1999 has defined it to mean a person who is or is likely to become "primarily dependent" on "public cash assistance for income maintenance" or "institutionaliz[ed] for long-term care at government expense."  Under the new rule, the Administration is significantly expanding the number of public benefits-and number of immigrants-considered in its public charge analysis. Individuals will be deemed a public charge if they are determined to be "more likely than not" to receive certain benefits for an aggregate period of more than 12 months in any 36-month period (with, for example, receipt of two benefits during the same month counting as two months).  Please see our join-backgrounder on the new rule, here.

Catholic Charities USA issued a statement signaling its disappointment with the Supreme Court's decision. CCUSA's President and CEO Sister Donna Markham OP, PhD said, "By allowing this harmful policy to go into effect, the Administration imposes a chilling effect on access to basic services, creating fear among eligible individuals threatening family unity and stability. We will be judged on how we treat the hungry, the homeless and the stranger among us and this decision signals a watershed change of course from the best moments of our American heritage of welcoming immigrants and refugees." You can read the full statement here.

CSMG 2020
Over 500 people from around the country came to the nation's Capital to participate in CSMG. The theme for this year was Bearing Witness: Life and Justice for All. CCUSA staff shared the work of the Catholic Charities ministry at our annual breakfast.

Catholic Charities led workshops on a number of topics within the social service field, including how CCUSA is responding to Pope Francis' Laudato Si'; supporting justice for workers and immigrants facing employment barriers; racism and its effects on society; and the intersection of Catholic social ministries and Catholic schools.

On the last day of the conference, participants went to Capitol Hill to educate their members of Congress on important issues facing the Catholic community, including responding to gun violence, extending the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, protecting Dreamers, and supporting programs that support people who are poor and vulnerable.
 
Anthony Granado, Vice President of Government Relations, addressing CSMG attendees

Brian Corbin, Executive Vice President Member Services, addressing CSMG attendees

Kim Mazyck, Senior Manager for Engagement and Educational Outreach, (second from left) sharing how to put Catholic social teaching into action

Faith and the Common Good Jeanne Burkemper correctly identified that Alice Robertson of Oklahoma became the first woman to preside over a session of the U.S. House of Representatives.  The historical moment happened on June 20, 1921. Members had just concluded deliberations for appropriating $15,000 to send a United States delegation to observe the centennial celebration of Peru's independence. Speaker Pro Tempore Joseph Walsh of Massachusetts called Robertson to the chair to preside over the roll call vote on the measure. House Members delivered a thunderous ovation as Robertson mounted the rostrum. She rapped the gavel twice to bring the House to order as the roll call began. After the roll was taken, she declared in an authoritative voice, "On this vote the yeas were 209 and the nays 42. Two-thirds having voted in the affirmative, the resolution is passed." A smiling Representative Robertson then left the rostrum amid a final round of applause.
 
The Presentation of the Lord
On Sunday, the Church celebrates the feast of the Presentation of the Lord which commemorates the moment when, forty days after his birth, Jesus as a firstborn son was presented in the Temple. The feast is also known as Candlemas day, since the blessing and procession of candles is included in the liturgy. Before the revision of the General Roman Calendar this marked the end of the Christmas season.
 
The feast was first observed in the Eastern Church as "The Encounter." In the sixth century, it began to be observed in the West: in Rome with a more penitential character and in France with solemn blessings and processions of candles, popularly known as "Candlemas." The Presentation of the Lord concludes the celebration of the Nativity and with the offerings of the Virgin Mother and the prophecy of Simeon, the events now point toward Easter.
 
"In obedience to the Old Law, the Lord Jesus, the first-born, was presented in the Temple by his Blessed Mother and his foster father. This is another 'epiphany' celebration insofar as the Christ Child is revealed as the Messiah through the canticle and words of Simeon and the testimony of Anna the prophetess. Christ is the light of the nations, hence the blessing and procession of candles on this day.
 
Canticle of Simeon
Lord, now you let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled: my own eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared in the sight of every people: a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.
Amen.
 
Trivia When was the First Black History Week which was later expanded to Black History Month first celebrated?
Please send your answers to [email protected]

Please share the weekly with your friends, family and networks so that we can build a movement of solidarity for those most in need!

You can also access advocacy opportunities through our advocacy and policy page.

Stay connected with our work to end poverty, follow us on Twitter at @CCharitiesUSA.

If you would like to help further Catholic Charities' commitment to alleviating, reducing, and preventing poverty you can contribute here.
 
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