May 22, 2020

Inside this issue

• CCUSA Presents the Washington Weekly

  CCUSA Presents the Washington Weekly  
 
This week in Washington lawmakers continued to map out what could be included in another coronavirus aid package, and unemployment continues to climb.

Last week the House passed a massive $3 trillion coronavirus aid package (HEROES Act), placing the proverbial ball in the Senate's court. Prior to the passage of the HEROES Act, Senate leadership had already indicated that they were planning on proposing their own bill after the prior aid bill (CARES Act) had time to be disbursed fully and would be narrower in scope. The decision to wait on passing another package comes on the heels of another 2.4 million Americans filing for unemployment insurance. This marks the ninth straight week of a million or more people filing for benefits with a total of 38.6 million since mid-March.

Discussions began in the Senate to make fixes to the Payment Protection Program (PPP) prior to leaving Washington for a weeklong Memorial Day break. However, the Senate left Washington without agreeing to a deal that would have given small businesses more time to spend their PPP loans. Senate leadership has indicated that they will tackle this issue once they return in June.

The Supreme Court did not issue its DACA decision again this week and CCUSA will continue to monitor the court's opinions. CCUSA reached out to a number of agencies to advocate for elected officials to support a legislative solution for DACA recipients.

While your senators are in their home states taking feedback from constituents, it is a wonderful time to raise the needs of Catholic Charities agencies and the poor and vulnerable clients they serve. You can email your senator and share with them that you stand with Catholic Charities at this time and that you need them to act.

Faith and the Common Good

This weekend we will observe Memorial Day, and as we pause to remember those who died in the cause of freedom, let us also remember those who continue to serve during this pandemic.

Prayer for Memorial Day
God of power and mercy, you destroy war and put down earthly pride. Banish violence from our midst and wipe away our tears, that we may all deserve to be called your sons and daughters. Keep in your mercy those men and women who have died in the cause of freedom and bring them safely into your kingdom of justice and peace. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen -from Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers

5th Anniversary of Laudato Si'
Laudato Si' Week, a nine-day global campaign ends this weekend on May 24, 2020. As part of this observance, the global church has been invited to participate in a world day of solidarity and prayer on Sunday, May 24, at 12:00 pm.  Click here for the prayer.

Trivia

Who was the first Asian American to be appointed bishop in the United States?

Please send your answers to [email protected]

This week we did not have anyone identify Pacem, Dei munus pulcherrimum, Peace, the Beautiful Gift of God, an encyclical written by Pope Benedict XV as a document On Peace and Christian Reconciliation. Written a year and a half after the end of the First World War, he sought international reconciliation especially between the Church and the state in the new world that emerged after the conflict.

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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