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July 19, 2024


 

News


Overview: The entire country paused this past weekend and much of this week to consider the best response we as a national community can make to violence, including the assassination attempt of former president Donald Trump in Butler, Pa. The Franciscan Action Network suggested this prayer for peace and healing as a way to begin to answer the question:

God of life, source of hope,
the violence within our world, our communities, our families, in our very selves is destroying your creation.
Make still the restless spirit within me that is self-seeking.
Stir within my heart a renewed Spirit of reverence, respect, and reconciliation.
Give me strength to break the cycle of violence by realizing that peace begins with me.
God of reconciliation, passionate for your whole creation,
impel us to seek your guiding hand in leading us to forgiveness, pardon, and peace.
Give us the heart that holds a place for all those who oppose us or who call us enemy.
Help us by your grace in the ministry of reconciliation you have given us to do;
to heal and make whole.
Let the word of reconciliation be in our mouths and in our hearts
that your peace might be present to all.
Amen.

(Adapted from a prayer by Fr. Angelo Anthony, CPPS)

Economy: In the week ending July 13, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims ([link removed]) was 243,000, an increase of 20,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 222,000 to 223,000. The 4-week moving average was 234,750, an increase of 1,000 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 233,500 to 233,750.

Webinars on human trafficking: In honor of the United Nations' World Day Against Trafficking in Persons ([link removed]), CCUSA and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops offered part one of two webinars on the terrible crime of human trafficking. You can register for part two here.

Part 2 - Human Trafficking: The Role of Law Enforcement and Service Providers - will explore the collaboration between law enforcement and community support in combating human trafficking. Topics will include the responsibilities and strategies employed by law enforcement in identifying and investigating cases, while also addressing the challenges they face and the innovative approaches being implemented. Speakers from DHS Homeland Security Investigations and Catholic Charities of Louisville's Bakhita Empowerment Initiative will share insight on this global problem.Zoom Registration ([link removed]). July 30, 2024, at 2 p.m. EST.

Second Chance Act: CCUSA and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops asked the Senate to reauthorize the Second Chance Act. Since the original act passed 15 years ago, Second Chance Grants have supported states, local governments, tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations in their efforts to reduce recidivism. Since 2009, over 50 Catholic Charities agencies have received grants which helped in the work of aiding people leaving incarceration. The reauthorization bill would extend critical programs to reduce recidivism, invest in communities, and promote public safety. Of special note: Catholic Charities' supportive and transitional housing recommendations were included in the bill text.

Enhancing Skills and Support for Serving Veterans: This event will provide front facing resources to American Job Center (AJC) staff serving veterans. Participants will learn about the various roles AJC and public workforce system staff play in serving veterans. They will gain a refresher on services available to veterans through WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), Wagner-Peyser, and Jobs for Veterans State Grants (JVSG) programs. Finally, participants will learn about professional development opportunities and resources available through the National Veterans' Training Institute (NVTI) to improve service delivery to veterans. Register here ([link removed]).

CCUSA's convenings on homelessness: Register today for our upcoming forums ([link removed]) in Minneapolis (August 8-9) and Phoenix (October 24-25). Throughout 2024, CCUSA is collaborating with local Catholic Charities agencies to host several regional convenings that will better equip attendees to raise awareness around the crisis of homelessness in America. This series, Advocacy Forums: A Convening on Practical Solutions to Address Homelessness ([link removed]), provides a platform to discuss the state of homelessness in local communities, states and regions; share challenges, ideas, solutions and models of best practice for addressing homelessness; and federal-level advocacy training. The collective wisdom, best practices and innovative solutions developed at these convenings will help guide the creation of a new white paper and inform preparations for a national summit on homelessness prevention. Leaders and staff from Catholic Charities agencies, Catholic organizations, Catholic parishes, other faith communities and local collaborators are encouraged to attend. Presenters include CCUSA staff, Catholic Charities leaders, community leaders and local, state and federal agencies. Registration for the events is free, and a limited number of stipends for travel costs are available for Catholic Charities agency staff members. Attendees also can receive up to 5.5 social work continuing education credits through their participation.

 

Participants in Catholic Charities Reentry Meeting listen at one of the sessions held at CCUSA's O'Grady Conference Center in Alexandria, Va. The participants also went to Capitol Hill.

 

Trivia

Q. The National Eucharistic Congress ([link removed]) is taking place in Indianapolis, In., from July 17 - 21, 2024. Who is the patron saint of all Eucharistic congresses?

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