December 18, 2020

Inside this issue

• CCUSA Presents the Washington Weekly

  CCUSA Presents the Washington Weekly  
  There remains great uncertainty whether there will be a government shutdown or when there will be another COVID-19 aid relief package. Also, the Supreme Court dodged a ruling over the White House's planned exclusion of unauthorized immigrants from Census tabulations.

A government shutdown looms at midnight if Congress cannot pass another short-term continuing resolution or longer-term omnibus package. It is expected that lawmakers will approve another short-term stopgap measure to stave off a shutdown or simply allow funding to briefly lapse as they work through the weekend to finalize a deal. As of this writing, the details of a potential $1.4 trillion omnibus have yet to be released.

As Congress deals with keeping the government funded, it's also working to finalize another COVID-19 aid relief package. A group of bipartisan lawmakers proposed a roughly $900 billion deal, but disagreements still remain. Lawmakers are still negotiating over who would be eligible for stimulus checks, how to spend money for health care, disaster relief funds, and wrapping up the Federal Reserve's emergency lending program.

Catholic Charities USA is calling on Congress to end the squabbling and find bipartisan solutions for the millions of Americans struggling as a result of the pandemic. You, too, are encouraged to tell Congress to act now.

The coronavirus continues to wreak havoc across the country as cases and deaths continue to climb. The United States saw at least 3,293 coronavirus deaths and 238,189 new cases reported yesterday. The number of cases is up 18 percent from the average two weeks earlier, and deaths are up a staggering 39 percent from two weeks prior. As of this morning, more than 17 million people have been infected and at least 310,900 have died in the United States due to COVID-19.

Two vaccines are beginning to be distributed across the country. This morning Vice President Pence received the coronavirus vaccine on live television from the White House and President-elect Biden is scheduled to receive the vaccine on camera next week. The purpose of doing these vaccines on television is to promote and encourage Americans to follow suit and receive the vaccine.

On December 14, Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) Committee on Doctrine, and Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City in Kansas, chairman of the USCCB's Committee on Pro-Life Activities, issued a statement on the new COVID-19 vaccines. In regard to the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, they said:

"In view of the gravity of the current pandemic and the lack of availability of alternative vaccines, the reasons to accept the new COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna are sufficiently serious to justify their use, despite their remote connection to morally compromised cell lines." You can read the full statement here.

Archbishop Wenski of Miami gets Covid vaccine to show it's safe and morally ethical

The Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit challenging the legality of the Trump administration's plan to exclude undocumented immigrants from a key census count. The court said it would be premature to rule on the case due to the number of "contingencies and speculation that impede judicial review". The decision opens the possibility for the current administration to attempt to remove some undocumented immigrants from a census count, but immigrant rights advocates have said they would sue. The decision could impact House seats and possibly appropriation of federal funds.

Faith and the Common Good This Sunday, the fourth Sunday of Advent, we light the final purple candle to mark the final week of prayer and penance as we wait for the birth of our Savior. This final candle, the "Angel's Candle," symbolizes peace. It reminds us of the message of the angels: "Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men."

A Christian Prayer for Peace of Mind
Almighty God,
We bless you for our lives, we give you praise for your abundant mercy and grace we receive. We thank you for your faithfulness even though we are not that faithful to you.
Lord Jesus, we ask you to give us all around peace in our mind, body, soul and spirit. We want you to heal and remove everything that is causing stress, grief, and sorrow in our lives.
Please guide our path through life and make our enemies be at peace with us. Let your peace reign in our family, at our place of work, businesses and everything we lay our hands on.
Let your angels of peace go ahead of us when we go out and stay by our side when we return.
In Jesus' name,
 
- Author Unknown
 
Trivia When was the first State of the Union delivered?
Please send your answers to [email protected]
 
On December 11, the trivia question was, "Twenty years ago, what did the UN designate December 18 to commemorate?"

Sister Marcianne Bzdon, SSND was the first to correctly answer that December 18th was designated by the UN as International migrants Day.   On 4 December 2000, the General Assembly, recognizing the large and increasing number of migrants in the world, proclaimed 18 December International Migrants Day.
 
In a United Nations' General Assembly on September 14 and 15, 2006, 132 Member States reaffirmed some key messages such as international migration was a growing phenomenon that could make a positive contribution to development in countries of origin and countries of destination, provided it was supported by the right policies.  They also highlighted that respect for the fundamental rights and freedoms of all migrants was essential to reap the benefits of international migration. They also emphasized the importance of strengthening international cooperation on international migration bilaterally, regionally and globally.

From the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, "Across this challenging year, we have also come to appreciate our dependence on those who are too often invisible within our communities. Migrants have played an outsized role on the frontlines of responding to the crisis - from caring for the sick and elderly to ensuring food supplies during lockdowns - highlighting their broader contributions to societies around the world.                 
Just as migrants are integral to our societies, they should remain central to our recovery." 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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