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The coronavirus crisis continues to retain its grasp on many aspects of everyday life. Last week, Washington passed a massive $2 trillion stimulus to prevent the U.S. economy from spiraling further into financial despair. This week saw lawmakers continue to put forth policy ideas to boost the economy and assist the millions of Americans who are out of work.
The economic fallout of COVID-19 shifted from speculation to reality this week with the announcement that a record 6.6 million people filed for unemployment. This vastly surpassed last week's then all-time high of 3 million people filing for unemployment. Total job losses over just the past two weeks number almost 10 million. The funds from the third congressional COVID-19 aid package, CARES Act, are beginning to make their way into the economy.
Today, small businesses, including nonprofits such as Catholic Charities agencies, can apply for the nearly $350 billion in loans Congress passed in the CARES Act. The program is designed to help small businesses through the economic disruption and assist with retention and rehiring of staff. Organizations with fewer than 500 employees are eligible for up to 2.5 times their total monthly payroll. To learn more about the COVID-19 relief options visit the Small Business Administration's website here.
The Social Policy staff at Catholic Charities USA are currently reviewing options for further advocacy on a fourth COVID-19-related bill when Congress returns to Washington on April 20.
Catholic Charities agencies remain committed to providing services to their local communities in a manner that is safe for the employees and clients. Catholic Charities USA has created a COVID-19 resource page highlighting the latest information on the virus and our efforts to continue serving our brothers and sisters in need. You can view the page here.
Faith and the Common Good
In Pope Francis' message on March 27, 2020, he repeated the questions, "Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?" He closed the Extraordinary Moment of Prayer with this, "Dear brothers and sisters, from this place that tells of Peter's rock-solid faith, I would like this evening to entrust all of you to the Lord, through the intercession of Mary, Health of the People and Star of the Stormy Sea. From this colonnade that embraces Rome and the whole world, may God's blessing come down upon you as a consoling embrace. Lord, may you bless the world, give health to our bodies and comfort our hearts. You ask us not to be afraid. Yet our faith is weak and we are fearful. But you, Lord, will not leave us at the mercy of the storm. Tell us again: 'Do not be afraid' (Mt 28:5). And we, together with Peter, 'cast all our anxieties onto you, for your care about us' (cf. 1 Pet 5:7)."
During these times, he also offered a prayer with Mary on March 11, 2020.
O Mary,
you always shine on our path
as a sign of salvation and of hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick,
who at the cross took part in Jesus' pain, keeping your faith firm.
You, Salvation of the Roman People,
know what we need,
and we are sure you will provide
so that, as in Cana of Galilee,
we may return to joy and to feasting
after this time of trial.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
to conform to the will of the Father
and to do as we are told by Jesus,
who has taken upon himself our sufferings
and carried our sorrows
to lead us, through the cross,
to the joy of the resurrection. Amen.
Under your protection, we seek refuge, Holy Mother of God. Do not disdain the entreaties of we who are in trial, but deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.
Holy Week
While we move into Holy Week without our parish communities, we must find new ways to commemorate Holy Week. Here is a pastoral letter from Most Reverend John O. Barres, the Bishop of Rockville Centre (N.Y.) providing a pilgrimage with the Lord. Click here for the letter.
Trivia
Due to the coronavirus and some other challenges, we have not shared the answers to trivia since March 13th. We will provide a full response to all trivia questions since March 13, 2020 after Easter.
Please send your answers to socialpolicy@catholiccharitiesusa.org
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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