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Overview: Congress remains on Easter recess this week. Despite members of Congress (from both parties) calling for the extension of the Title 42 program, the administration continues to state that the program will end on May 23, 2022. As mentioned in previous posts, CCUSA submitted comments to the Homeland Security Department regarding its proposed rule to amend the federal public charge provisions. 

Immigration: The rescinding of Title 42 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is expected to take effect on May 23. The Trump administration policy was implemented with the stated intent to help stem the spread of COVID-19, but many have interpreted the policy as a likelier strategy to prevent greater migration to the U.S. southern border. CCUSA has consistently rejected this policy. With May 23 fast approaching, CCUSA, in conversation with the administration and federal agencies, continues to ask for greater clarity and transparency on the necessary and coordinated plans to respond to what is projected to be upwards of 18,000 arrivals per day across the southern border. On April 1, CCUSA issued a statement that said, "While Catholic Charities USA appreciates the administration's decision to end Title 42, we encourage officials to implement the change in an orderly and collaborative manner..."  

Economy: In the week ending April 16, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial [unemployment insurance weekly] claims was 184,000, a decrease of 2,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 185,000 to 186,000. The 4-week moving average was 177,250, an increase of 4,500 from the previous week's revised average.  

Public charge: Follow this link to read CCUSA's comments regarding the Homeland Security Department's proposed rule to amend the federal public charge provisions related to people seeking entrance into the U.S. or Lawful Permanent Resident status.

Helping parishes open a food pantry (webinar): Learn how to help parishes open food pantries from successful operations associated with two Catholic Charities agencies, representing both agency and parish perspectives. Topics will include conducting a community assessment, addressing safety issues, choosing a pantry type, identifying institutional and community partners, and volunteer recruitment. In addition, Jane Stenson, Vice President of Poverty Reduction at CCUSA, will provide information on federal food programs. Presenters will include Elizabeth Acevedo of Catholic Charities Diocese of Gary; Ruth Polito of Saint James Church in Highland, Indiana; and Patti McGuire of St. Elizabeth Church in Las Vegas. Date: April, 25, 2022. Time: 3 PM ET. Register here.

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Today is Earth Day, "an event to increase public awareness of the world's environmental problems," first celebrated in the U.S. on April 22, 1970. It's a good day to remind ourselves of God's command to mankind: "be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it" (Gen 1:28).

The notes to the New American Bible convey an important point. The wider culture in which Israel existed would have given dominion over the earth to kings, not to every man and woman. God's generosity in including everyone speaks of the dignity he bestows on all people. At the same time, given the immediate context of the creation accounts, it's also clear that mankind does not enjoy unlimited power. Human beings are to care for creation with due attention to God's plan, which means discerning and following his will.

Pope Francis writes about mankind's care for creation in his encyclical letter Laudato si', published May 24, 2015. He states that it is one of three "fundamental and closely intertwined relationships" that men and women enjoy: "with God, with our neighbor and with the earth itself" (No. 66). Human beings are to respect all these relationships and develop them for the glory of God.

Regarding the relationship with creation, Pope Francis takes a very positive approach. He notes that God sees all creation as good and that it is often the object of praise in the psalms: O Lord, how great are all your works! The fundamental stance of the human being before the world should be to see it as a gift. It is not a hostile environment or an evil from which one should be freed, but it is the place that God entrusts to the responsible management of men and women.

As a gift, creation must be approached with respect and with consideration of the family of mankind. The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church states that, since "the goods of the earth were created by God to be used wisely by all, ...they must be shared equitably, in accordance with justice and charity" (No. 481). Moreover, the development of creation and its resources must also be ordered toward the dignity of the human person, which means "it must be directed to the true good of every person and of the whole person" (No. 483).

Creation is not an object to be manipulated but a resource to be used and shared by all. Keeping in mind that it is God's gift, creation becomes a means to show gratitude and appreciation to God, glorifying him in the manner of our stewardship.

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Q. Who is credited with leading the cause to establish Earth Day?

Please send your answers to [email protected]. 

Last week's question and answer:

Q. James Naismith, who invented basketball in 1891 and started the University of Kansas basketball program in 1898, is the only Kansas coach to have what?

A. Thanks to Rhonda Sepulveda, coordinator of parish and government relations at Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, who was first with the correct answer: A losing record (55-60).

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