January 3, 2020

Inside this issue

• CCUSA Presents the Washington Weekly

  CCUSA Presents the Washington Weekly  
  Happy 2020 to everyone. Washington is quiet this week with lawmakers remaining in their home districts for the New Year holiday.

While much of Washington's attention will be focused on impeachment and elections, there still remains a host of issues Congress will need to tackle in 2020. In December, Congress passed a spending package that funds the government through September 30, but they will begin to turn their attention to fiscal year 2021 in the early months of 2020.

Another major priority includes ratification of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). This trade pact is set to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). USMCA passed the House in December but is awaiting the Senate's approval before it becomes official.

Poverty Awareness Month
January is poverty awareness month. Catholic Charities agencies all across the country remain committed to serving people in poverty and are witnesses to the daily horrors of poverty in America. The Catholic Campaign for Human Development created a calendar highlighting how everyone can learn more and make small acts of mercy in the fight against poverty. You can see the calendar here.

National Migration Week
From January 5-11, the Catholic Church celebrates National Migration Week. It serves as an opportunity for the Church to reflect on the value and struggle facing migrants and draws attention to the fact that each of our families has a migration heritage. The title of this year's National Migration Week is "Promoting a Church and a World for All." Justice for Immigrants created a toolkit for people interested in participating in the celebration. You can access the toolkit here. 
 
Faith and the Common Good Congrats to Patrick Reynolds-Berry, the family programs director for Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio. He was the first to identify Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton as the person who founded the U.S. branch of the Sisters of Charity in 1809.

Elizabeth Ann Seton entered the Catholic Church in 1805 in New York. In 1809, she moved to Emmitsburg, Maryland, where she founded the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph's, the first community for religious women established in the United States. Her legacy now includes religious congregations in the United States and Canada, whose members work on the unmet needs of people living in poverty in North America and beyond.  She was the first citizen born in the United States to be given the title of "Saint."

Feast of Epiphany
On entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother.  They prostrated themselves and did him homage.  Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (Matthew 2:11)
 
Lord Jesus, may Your light shine our way,
as once it guided the steps of the Magi:
that we too may be led into Your presence,
and worship You,
Son of God,
the Word of the Father,
the King of Nations,
the Savior of mankind;
in union with Your heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit,
You are One God forever and ever,
Amen.

Trivia
What is the poverty rate for children in the United States? 
Please send your answers to [email protected] 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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