| From | Catholic Charities USA <[email protected]> |
| Subject | Washington Weekly |
| Date | May 13, 2022 4:45 PM |
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May 13, 2022
Inside this issue
• CCUSA Presents the Washington Weekly
• Faith and the Common Good
• Trivia
• Connections
CCUSA Presents the Washington Weekly
Overview: A vote on aid for Ukraine has been delayed until next week. In a letter to Congress, CCUSA and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops reiterated their commitment to help Ukrainians seeking refuge in the U.S. and called for more humanitarian aid to help those who come here. There were not enough votes in the Senate to advance a bill to codify Roe v. Wade this week. A federal judge hears arguments Friday on whether the Biden administration can lift pandemic-related restrictions on immigrants requesting asylum (aka Title 42) later this month. Texas has filed another lawsuit against the Biden administration seeking to block changes to the asylum process which would allow USCIS-trained asylum officers to decide cases in an expedited manner to reduce the asylum backlog.
Letters to Congress: CCUSA sent letters to Congress this week. The following list provides a brief description and link for each letter:
To Congressional leadership of both houses, urging them to prioritize funding for ongoing domestic and international COVID-19 needs. Signatory with other members of the Catholic Care Coalition.
To members of the U.S. House of Representatives, asking them to support re-inserting Charitable Choice provisions as they consider passage of the Community Services Block Grant Modernization Act. Signatory with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
To the chair and ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, recommending six areas of mental health services for sick and vulnerable people in particular need of funding.
To the chair and ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education, urging them to invest in programs that protect and support poor and vulnerable children, families, and elderly persons.
The U.S. Capitol is seen in Washington in this undated photo. (CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn)
Title 42: Please join us on Monday, May 16 at 12:00 p.m. EST for a Zoom meeting to discuss ways parishes can be impactful assets in responding to the needs of migrants when Title 42 is terminated. The anticipated rescinding of Title 42 will likely cause along the southern U.S./Mexico border a large influx of newcomers who will require multiple forms of practical assistance. Catholic Charities agencies will be called upon to serve the needs of these people. We at CCUSA are seeking creative ways to address the matter, and in particular the establishment of respite centers throughout the country. In addition, we are hoping that local Catholic Charities leaders and collaborators can assist in brain-storming practical approaches and identifying resources and partners. In particular, we're hoping that parishes can be impactful assets in this endeavor. Please register in advance by clicking this link. Also, please forward the invitation to others you think would be interested in joining this effort.
As an update on litigation related to Title 42, the federal court in Louisiana will hear arguments today on whether to issue an injunction to keep Title 42 in place, likely for several months. A ruling is expected as early as today.
Children in Nogales, Mexico, join hands at a migrant-led protest Nov. 8, 2021, against enforcement of the U.S. health code's Title 42 provision, which is being used to keep many migrants out because of concerns about coronavirus. (CNS photo/Caitlin O'Hara, Reuters)
Economy: In the week ending May 7, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial [unemployment insurance] claims was 203,000, an increase of 1,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 2,000 from 200,000 to 202,000. The 4-week moving average was 192,750, an increase of 4,250 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 500 from 188,000 to 188,500.
Top
Faith and the Common Good
This Sunday, May 15, 2022, Pope Francis will canonize 10 people, one of whom is Blessed Charles de Foucauld (1858-1916). Two years ago, Pope Francis recommended Charles as an example of someone who lived as a "brother of all" (Fratelli tutti, No. 287). Charles' way of life as a disciple of Christ could certainly be a good model for those of us working at Catholic Charities as we serve our brothers and sisters.
Charles came to Christ after a long search for fulfillment among the created things of this world. He spent his youth and early adulthood pursuing entertainment and satisfying appetites, but these pursuits left him empty. His search changed when, as a French military officer in Morocco, he was impressed by the Muslims' practice of their faith. Memories of his own faith reemerged and he began a search for God.
Charles began practicing Catholicism again and with the help of a spiritual director entered religious life. He had a special attraction to the hidden life of Jesus in Nazareth, where Jesus lived an ordinary life. Charles was ordained a priest at 43, and after some years in a Trappist monastery he located himself in the Saharan Desert in Tamanrasset in southern Algeria. He wanted to be the presence of Christ among people who did not have the Eucharist.
Blessed Charles de Foucauld, who was born in France in 1858, is pictured in an undated photo. He is among 10 new saints to be proclaimed by Pope Francis at a May 15 Vatican canonization ceremony. (CNS photo/courtesy of I.Media)
His presence was, by no means, passive. Though he had no patience for crass proselytism, he did mean to evangelize by his service. He taught the local people, the Tuaregs, about farming, irrigation, knitting, and other activities. He compiled a French/Tuareg dictionary and learned their culture. He also provided emergency resources to the Tuaregs, and he shared with them stories from the Bible. Really, he set up what Pope Saint John Paul II calls a center of service to life (an apt description of a Catholic Charities agency; Evangelium vitae, No. 87).
Many people nowadays, who call themselves little brothers and sisters of Jesus, imitate Charles' way of living. They serve their brothers and sisters with whom they live, in the immediate neighborhood or local community, tending to people's needs, both physical and spiritual. Like Charles, they intend to bring the presence of Christ to all their encounters. It's a beautiful way to live this life and to witness to eternal life.
(If you would like to learn more about Charles, here are two excellent biographies: Charles de Foucauld, by Jean-Jacques Antier and The Sands of Tamanrasset, by Marion Mill Preminger.)
Prayer of Abandonment by Blessed Charles de Foucauld
My Father, I abandon myself to you.
Make of me what you will.
Whatever you make of me, I thank you.
I am ready for everything
I accept everything.
Provided that your will be done in me,
In all your creatures,
I desire nothing else, Lord.
I put my soul in your hands,
I give it to you, Lord,
With all the love in my heart,
Because I love you,
And because it is for me a need of love
To give myself,
To put myself in your hands unreservedly,
With infinite trust.
For you are my Father.
Top
Trivia
Q. What tragic event happened on this day, May 13, in 1981 that sent shock waves around the world? (Hint: It involves someone mentioned in this newsletter.)
Please send your answers to [email protected].
Last week's question and answer:
Q. Including the Second Vatican Council, how many ecumenical councils have been recognized by the Catholic Church?
A. Thanks to Michael Kilker, who was first to provide the correct answer: 21.
Top
Connections
Please share the weekly with your friends, family and networks so that we can build a movement of solidarity for those most in need!
Be sure to text "CCUSA" to #50457 to receive our action alerts!
You can also access advocacy opportunities through our advocacy and policy page.
Stay connected with our work to end poverty: Follow us on Twitter: @CCharitiesUSA.
If you would like to help further Catholic Charities' commitment to alleviating, reducing, and preventing poverty, you can contribute here.
Top
You are currently subscribed to a mailing list of Catholic Charities USA. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here.
Inside this issue
• CCUSA Presents the Washington Weekly
• Faith and the Common Good
• Trivia
• Connections
CCUSA Presents the Washington Weekly
Overview: A vote on aid for Ukraine has been delayed until next week. In a letter to Congress, CCUSA and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops reiterated their commitment to help Ukrainians seeking refuge in the U.S. and called for more humanitarian aid to help those who come here. There were not enough votes in the Senate to advance a bill to codify Roe v. Wade this week. A federal judge hears arguments Friday on whether the Biden administration can lift pandemic-related restrictions on immigrants requesting asylum (aka Title 42) later this month. Texas has filed another lawsuit against the Biden administration seeking to block changes to the asylum process which would allow USCIS-trained asylum officers to decide cases in an expedited manner to reduce the asylum backlog.
Letters to Congress: CCUSA sent letters to Congress this week. The following list provides a brief description and link for each letter:
To Congressional leadership of both houses, urging them to prioritize funding for ongoing domestic and international COVID-19 needs. Signatory with other members of the Catholic Care Coalition.
To members of the U.S. House of Representatives, asking them to support re-inserting Charitable Choice provisions as they consider passage of the Community Services Block Grant Modernization Act. Signatory with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
To the chair and ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, recommending six areas of mental health services for sick and vulnerable people in particular need of funding.
To the chair and ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education, urging them to invest in programs that protect and support poor and vulnerable children, families, and elderly persons.
The U.S. Capitol is seen in Washington in this undated photo. (CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn)
Title 42: Please join us on Monday, May 16 at 12:00 p.m. EST for a Zoom meeting to discuss ways parishes can be impactful assets in responding to the needs of migrants when Title 42 is terminated. The anticipated rescinding of Title 42 will likely cause along the southern U.S./Mexico border a large influx of newcomers who will require multiple forms of practical assistance. Catholic Charities agencies will be called upon to serve the needs of these people. We at CCUSA are seeking creative ways to address the matter, and in particular the establishment of respite centers throughout the country. In addition, we are hoping that local Catholic Charities leaders and collaborators can assist in brain-storming practical approaches and identifying resources and partners. In particular, we're hoping that parishes can be impactful assets in this endeavor. Please register in advance by clicking this link. Also, please forward the invitation to others you think would be interested in joining this effort.
As an update on litigation related to Title 42, the federal court in Louisiana will hear arguments today on whether to issue an injunction to keep Title 42 in place, likely for several months. A ruling is expected as early as today.
Children in Nogales, Mexico, join hands at a migrant-led protest Nov. 8, 2021, against enforcement of the U.S. health code's Title 42 provision, which is being used to keep many migrants out because of concerns about coronavirus. (CNS photo/Caitlin O'Hara, Reuters)
Economy: In the week ending May 7, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial [unemployment insurance] claims was 203,000, an increase of 1,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 2,000 from 200,000 to 202,000. The 4-week moving average was 192,750, an increase of 4,250 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 500 from 188,000 to 188,500.
Top
Faith and the Common Good
This Sunday, May 15, 2022, Pope Francis will canonize 10 people, one of whom is Blessed Charles de Foucauld (1858-1916). Two years ago, Pope Francis recommended Charles as an example of someone who lived as a "brother of all" (Fratelli tutti, No. 287). Charles' way of life as a disciple of Christ could certainly be a good model for those of us working at Catholic Charities as we serve our brothers and sisters.
Charles came to Christ after a long search for fulfillment among the created things of this world. He spent his youth and early adulthood pursuing entertainment and satisfying appetites, but these pursuits left him empty. His search changed when, as a French military officer in Morocco, he was impressed by the Muslims' practice of their faith. Memories of his own faith reemerged and he began a search for God.
Charles began practicing Catholicism again and with the help of a spiritual director entered religious life. He had a special attraction to the hidden life of Jesus in Nazareth, where Jesus lived an ordinary life. Charles was ordained a priest at 43, and after some years in a Trappist monastery he located himself in the Saharan Desert in Tamanrasset in southern Algeria. He wanted to be the presence of Christ among people who did not have the Eucharist.
Blessed Charles de Foucauld, who was born in France in 1858, is pictured in an undated photo. He is among 10 new saints to be proclaimed by Pope Francis at a May 15 Vatican canonization ceremony. (CNS photo/courtesy of I.Media)
His presence was, by no means, passive. Though he had no patience for crass proselytism, he did mean to evangelize by his service. He taught the local people, the Tuaregs, about farming, irrigation, knitting, and other activities. He compiled a French/Tuareg dictionary and learned their culture. He also provided emergency resources to the Tuaregs, and he shared with them stories from the Bible. Really, he set up what Pope Saint John Paul II calls a center of service to life (an apt description of a Catholic Charities agency; Evangelium vitae, No. 87).
Many people nowadays, who call themselves little brothers and sisters of Jesus, imitate Charles' way of living. They serve their brothers and sisters with whom they live, in the immediate neighborhood or local community, tending to people's needs, both physical and spiritual. Like Charles, they intend to bring the presence of Christ to all their encounters. It's a beautiful way to live this life and to witness to eternal life.
(If you would like to learn more about Charles, here are two excellent biographies: Charles de Foucauld, by Jean-Jacques Antier and The Sands of Tamanrasset, by Marion Mill Preminger.)
Prayer of Abandonment by Blessed Charles de Foucauld
My Father, I abandon myself to you.
Make of me what you will.
Whatever you make of me, I thank you.
I am ready for everything
I accept everything.
Provided that your will be done in me,
In all your creatures,
I desire nothing else, Lord.
I put my soul in your hands,
I give it to you, Lord,
With all the love in my heart,
Because I love you,
And because it is for me a need of love
To give myself,
To put myself in your hands unreservedly,
With infinite trust.
For you are my Father.
Top
Trivia
Q. What tragic event happened on this day, May 13, in 1981 that sent shock waves around the world? (Hint: It involves someone mentioned in this newsletter.)
Please send your answers to [email protected].
Last week's question and answer:
Q. Including the Second Vatican Council, how many ecumenical councils have been recognized by the Catholic Church?
A. Thanks to Michael Kilker, who was first to provide the correct answer: 21.
Top
Connections
Please share the weekly with your friends, family and networks so that we can build a movement of solidarity for those most in need!
Be sure to text "CCUSA" to #50457 to receive our action alerts!
You can also access advocacy opportunities through our advocacy and policy page.
Stay connected with our work to end poverty: Follow us on Twitter: @CCharitiesUSA.
If you would like to help further Catholic Charities' commitment to alleviating, reducing, and preventing poverty, you can contribute here.
Top
You are currently subscribed to a mailing list of Catholic Charities USA. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here.
Message Analysis
- Sender: Catholic Charities USA
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- Country: United States
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