• • CCUSA Presents the Washington Weekly
• • Faith and the Common Good
• • Trivia
• • Connections

Overview: Anthony Granado, vice president of government relations, and Christy Williams, senior manager of policy and government affairs, represented CCUSA at the CLINIC Convening in Phoenix, Ariz., this week. The theme was “Reunited and Reignited.”

CLINIC Convening is CLINIC’s annual conference that brings together legal practitioners, advocates and nonprofit leaders from all over the country to network, learn and gain insight about the current state of immigration law. The conference provides a comprehensive education on immigration law, program management and advocacy. 

The debt limit continues to be a major point of focus on the Hill. No agreement on how to move forward has been reached; negotiations between the White House and Republican congressional officials broke down Friday afternoon. See the “Debt ceiling” paragraph below about a letter to members of Congress from CCUSA, USCCB, and Catholic Relief Services on the importance of crafting a budget that upholds human dignity and demonstrates special concern for people who are poor and vulnerable.

CCUSA sent a letter to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security urging members to increase funding for the Department of Homeland Security appropriations in fiscal year 2024 so that vulnerable populations under the committee’s purview may receive the care they need. See “Appropriation letters” below.

Meanwhile, the CCUSA advocacy team continues their visits to new members of Congress, introducing them and their staff to the Catholic Charities ministry.

Anthony Granado, vice president of government relations at CCUSA, stands at CCUSA's information booth at "CLINIC Convening 2023 - Reunited and Reignited," held at Sheraton Phoenix Downtown, Phoenix, Ariz., from May 17-19, 2023. (Photo/Christy Williams)

Economy: In the week ending May 13, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims was 242,000, a decrease of 22,000 from the previous week’s unrevised level of 264,000. The 4-week moving average was 244,250, an increase of 1,000 from the previous week’s unrevised average of 242,250. 

Debt ceiling: CCUSA joined the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Catholic Relief Services in a letter to members of Congress urging them to use their influence to craft a budget that upholds human dignity and safeguards the conditions for human flourishing, and not to make “disproportionate cuts” to anti-poverty programs. The letter further states that any budget should promote the common good and demonstrate special concern for poor and vulnerable persons by providing essential services for them. Be sure to read the full letter. Additionally, Social Policy staff are reaching out to the administration and key congressional offices urging them to oppose further expanding burdensome work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), and Medicaid. 

Appropriation letters: CCUSA wrote to Congressional leaders this week to request increased funding in the Fiscal Year 2024 budget for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) programs and operations that address the needs of vulnerable populations, including disaster-stricken communities, persons impacted by homelessness, survivors of human trafficking, asylum seekers, and migrants.

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The feast of the Ascension happens this week, and the readings provide an opportunity to reflect on the gift of faith Jesus gave to us through the mysteries of his life.

Sometimes we may think that it was easier to have faith when Jesus was walking around Israel. But the gospel reports that when the 11 disciples encountered Jesus after the resurrection “they worshiped, but they doubted.” Luke, in his Acts of the Apostles, reports as well that the 11, at the moment of the Ascension, stand motionless, mouths agape, “looking at the sky.”

The disciples expected that Jesus would restore Israel to its place of honor. Also, Jesus said that he would be with them “always, until the end of the age.” So, when Jesus says that he has to ascend to his Father and he does, and Israel is still in a mess, the 11 are a bit confused. They probably were thinking, where are you going Jesus? This wasn’t part of the plan, was it?

"I ascend to my father and your father" reads artwork at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington. The window marks the feast of the Ascension. In the United States, some dioceses mark the feast on a Thursday -- this year May 18 -- while others celebrate the feast the seventh Sunday of Easter, this year May 21. (OSV News photo/Barb Fraze)

People trying to follow Jesus today may have similar thoughts. We may wonder where God is during difficult personal times or when terrible things happen in the world. We may even forget, for a moment, Jesus’ words about eternal life, which is where we are headed according to Jesus. In a word, we doubt too.

It’s interesting that Jesus does not answer the doubts directly. He dispenses with explanations and says instead that his disciples are to preach the good news and follow his example. Jesus expects us to act on the power he gives through his word and the sending of his Holy Spirit: “you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The essential meaning of the Ascension is that the victory over death has been won through God’s power in Jesus and that those who yield to Jesus share in that power through the Holy Spirit. It does not mean being free of doubt or struggles, but we are free to act on Jesus’ promises.

Belief matures and is strengthened by acting on it: to continue working for justice and peace, to continue to forgive and love. And doing these things grounded in the faith that every good deed is never wasted because it cooperates with the victory already won by Jesus.

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Q. Which first lady was the first to live in the White House?

Please send your answers to [email protected]. 

Last week's question and answer:

Q. What activity spikes as much as 37% on Mothers’ Day compared to any other day of the year?

A. Thanks to Renae Sternke, chief operating officer at Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud, who was first with the answer: Phone calls.

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