December 8, 2022

Inside this issue

• CCUSA Presents the Washington Weekly
• Faith and the Common Good
• Trivia
• Connections

  CCUSA Presents the Washington Weekly  
 
Overview: With Georgia’s election decided, the voting season for 2022 is over and Congress turns in earnest to work out an end-of-the-year funding agreement. While some members favor an omnibus bill, others think that a continuing resolution will be the path forward for now. Meanwhile, the CCUSA policy team continues to press members of Congress and their staff for attention to issues integral to the Catholic Charities ministry. Make sure to read a letter from CCUSA urging Congressional leadership to allocate additional funding for critical initiatives that serve low-income communities and fund essential humanitarian and disaster relief efforts.

Father Tom McNally prays with death-row inmate Eric Wrinkles at Indiana State Prison in Michigan City in this Dec. 18, 2008, file photo. (CNS photo/Tim Hunt, Northwest Indiana Catholic)

Criminal Justice: Join CCUSA in advocating for the passage of critical criminal justice and police reform bills before the end of the year. 

Economy: In the week ending December 3, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial [unemployment] claims was 230,000, an increase of 4,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 225,000 to 226,000. The four-week moving average was 230,000, an increase of 1,000 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250, from 228,750 to 229,000.

Catholic Social Ministry Gathering: Register now for the 2023 Catholic Social Ministry Gathering, January 28-31, 2023, Washington, DC. This year’s theme is “Blessed are the Peacemakers” (Mt 5:9). Don’t miss this transformative annual gathering for leaders in Catholic social ministry and advocacy! Register here.

Immigration: The Department of Homeland Security announced the extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti for an additional 18 months, the maximum period allowed by law. In addition, DHS redesignated the country for the same length of time to allow Haitian nationals residing in the U.S. as of November 6, 2022, to apply for TPS. CCUSA welcomes the administration’s action to protect Haitian nationals in the U.S. due to deteriorating conditions that make safe return impossible. CCUSA recently joined other Catholic organizations in a letter to the administration requesting TPS extension and redesignation for Haiti and other countries experiencing extraordinary conditions. 
 
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  Faith and the Common Good  
 
If, as a Christian, one feels that he or she is living through dark times, then one would be hard-pressed not to be encouraged by the readings for this Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent, or what is also called Gaudete or Rejoice Sunday. 

An Advent wreath is pictured in the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican Dec. 15, 2014. The third Sunday of Advent is known as Gaudete Sunday. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Consider these selections: 

"Be strong, fear not!
Here is your God,
he comes with vindication;
with divine recompense
he comes to save you." Is 35:4

"The lord keeps faith forever,
secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The lord sets captives free." Ps 146:6-7

"Make your hearts firm,
because the coming of the Lord is at hand." Jas 5:8

"Amen, I say to you,
among those born of women
there has been none greater than John the Baptist;
yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." Mt 11:11

Even despite the dark times - back in Jesus' day or now - there is cause for rejoicing. Jesus has truly come among us, and he will return on the last day! As Jesus says in the gospel: "...blessed is the one who takes no offense at me" (Mt 11:6).

The good news of salvation counterbalances the bad news we hear so often and that can drag us down, tempting us to give in to despair. Indeed, the word of God promises that all efforts in line with Christ participate in and anticipate his victory. This is not to suggest that Christians will be trouble-free, but that any trouble will not have the last word.

We really do have a reason to rejoice and to spend our lives in service to our neighbors. As St. Paul told the Philippians, "The Lord is near" (4:5). So, "whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you" (4:8-9).
 
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  Trivia  
 
Q. In which modern-day country was St. Nicholas born? (Extra points for the name of the original birthplace.)

Please send your answers to [email protected]. 

Last week's question and answer:

Q. The dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary was defined in what document, promulgated by what pope?

A. Thanks to Carolyn Snelling of St. Joseph Church, Edina, Mo., for being first with the right answer: Pope Piux IX in Ineffabilis Deus, Dec. 8, 1854.
 
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  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.
 
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