Minnesota Statehood Day Vigil for the Common Good

May 10, 2011 – On Statehood Day, Wednesday May 11, hundreds of faith leaders, religious advocates, and faithful citizens from all across Minnesota will converge on the Capitol in St. Paul to observe Minnesota’s Statehood Day with an Interfaith Vigil for the Common Good, hosted by the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition (JRLC). In honoring Statehood Day, Minnesota’s largest faith communities are calling the public and our elected officials to a more just and compassionate public stewardship and budget solution.

Participants will gather at 2:00 pm at the Floyd B. Olson Statue, southwest of the Capitol’s front door, where Minnesota historian, Professor Hy Berman will offer a “teach-in” on Gov. Olson’s successful efforts to raise an income tax in the face of an oppositional legislature. Following the “teach-in,” participants will march to the rotunda for the interfaith vigil beginning at 2:30 pm. Leading the vigil will be:

–Rev. Cathy Schuyler, Duluth Congregational Church
–Bishop Peter Rogness, St. Paul Area Synod, ELCA and President, Minnesota Council of Churches
–Rev. Canon Peg Chemberlin, President, National Council of Churches
–Tim Marx, CEO of Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis
–Dr. Fatma Reda, Islamic Center of Minnesota
–Rabbi Yonatan Sadoff, Adath Jeshurun Congregation will sound the shofar (ram’s horn)!
Responding to the proposed economic hardship and service reductions impacting our most vulnerable neighbors, the faith communities of Minnesota will pray for our elected officials: that they may find a better way of governing with greater compassion; that they might work toward the common good of all Minnesotans; and that they would be called to a more generous and balanced public stewardship of the state budget. We will call for the public to engage more fully in finding our way to fairer and more humane policies.

JRLC is an interfaith coalition representing the Minnesota Catholic Conference, Minnesota Council of Churches, Islamic Center of Minnesota and the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas. JRLC has been a faithful voice for social justice and equality at the Minnesota Capitol for 40 years. Representing a diverse constituency of people of faith, our annual legislative agenda reflects the values of social and economic justice, relief for the poor, fair and good governance, and equal opportunity for all.

“Government is instituted for the security, benefit and protection of the people . . . “ – Sentence I, Article I of Minnesota’s Constitution

For a full brochure, click here. For more information, visit the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition website: http://jrlc.org

Come to the Capitol on Thursday to support Marriage Amendment

The marriage amendment is coming up for a vote in the House this week.  There will likely be a full floor vote on Thursday.

We are asking people to go to the Capitol on Thursday, May 19, wearing red or blue, and holding signs.  It is very important to show legislators that Minnesotans want to preserve marriage and vote on a constitutional amendment!

We do not know when exactly it will hit the floor, or when the House will be in session.   But we’ll need people standing outside the House chamber with their signs, especially when legislators go into session and during the actual floor hearing (as well as anytime beforehand).  People should come to the Capitol and simply stand outside the House chamber to show their support of marriage.  We need people all through Thursday!  Come any time.  There will be others there all day. People can call House Information at 651-296-2146 for exactly when the House will meet that day.   You won’t be alone!

We need folks with homemade signs expressing these messages (don’t get creative!):

1.       Minnesotans for Marriage!

2.       Protect Marriage in Minnesota!

3.       Let the people vote!

Every single person who attends makes a big difference.  We need a strong showing in support of marriage.  Bring your kids for a civics lesson!

Do not engage folks on the other side.  They try to provoke our people.   Always be respectful!  Signs are not permitted in the gallery if you want to sit in on the hearing.

In addition to attending the House hearings, everyone can call their state representative (the Senate has already passed the bill) and encourage them to vote for the marriage amendment (HF 1613).  All we are asking the legislators to do is let the people of Minnesota have a public debate about this important issue and put it to a vote in 2012.

Thank you!

Jason Adkins

Executive Director, Minnesota Catholic Conference

St. Paul, Minn.—Minnesota’s Catholics have a new voice at the State Legislature and in the public square.

            The State’s Roman Catholic bishops have appointed attorney Jason Adkins to lead the Minnesota Catholic Conference (MCC) as its executive director.  The MCC is the public policy voice of the Catholic Church in Minnesota.  It advocates for policies and programs that support the life and dignity of every human person from conception through natural death.

            “On behalf of the Board of the Minnesota Catholic Conference, I am pleased to welcome Jason Adkins as our new executive director,” said Most Rev. John C. Nienstedt, Archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis.  “My brother bishops and I believe that the combination of Jason’s theological training, knowledge of public policy, and legal experience will serve us well as he advocates on behalf of the Church and for the common good of all Minnesotans.  Jason brings a freshness and dynamic energy to this work, and we look forward to his service.” 

            “I am humbled by the trust the bishops have placed in me; it is a privilege to serve,” said Adkins.  “As Catholics, we believe that every human being is created in God’s image and, without exception, possesses dignity and value.  The MCC will continue to vigorously defend the sanctity of life, lift up the poor and vulnerable, and work for the common good. I will reach out to Catholics and all people of good will to advance these goals.” 

            Minnesota’s Catholic bishops have also made protecting traditional marriage between one man and one woman a high priority this legislative session.  “The institution of marriage is the cornerstone of a healthy society,” said Adkins.  “The Legislature should put a constitutional amendment protecting marriage in front of the voters.  The people of Minnesota have the right to safeguard marriage before others try to redefine it in the courts.” 

            Prior to joining the MCC, Adkins served as a civil rights attorney with the Institute for Justice Minnesota Chapter where he fought eminent domain abuse, defended free speech, and promoted economic and educational opportunity.  He received his law degree from the University of Minnesota, where he currently serves as an adjunct professor.  After law school, Adkins clerked for state and federal appellate judges.  He did his undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of St. Thomas, and has also worked as a teacher and journalist. 

            Adkins took up his new responsibilities Monday, March 28th and succeeds Rev. David McCauley, who has completed his service as interim executive director.  

            To view the Minnesota Catholic Conference’s 2011 legislative agenda, visit: 

http://mncc.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/2011-Legislative-Agenda-Final3.pdf

Inside this issue:    

•  FY2011 Spending Update
•  CCUSA Hosts National Hill Day
•  Congress Goes on Recess
•  Farewell
•  Let us know!  

FY2011 Spending Update
On March 18, President Obama signed into law another short-term bill approved by the Congress that would fund the government through April 8. The current continuing resolution will expire on March 18.  The Congress will now have three weeks to figure out funding for the remaining FY2011 or face a government shutdown. 

The short-term bill does not include the cuts to programs that were a part of the broader long-term package (HR. 1) passed by  House which included reduction and elimination of funding for the EFSP, Refugee Resettlement, Housing programs, and the Corporation to name a few. The new short-term bill is comprised of rescinding unneeded funds from the 2010 Census, elimination of earmarks, and elimination and reduction of 25 programs—many which were included in the President’s FY2012 budget proposal.

For a summary of earmarks and programs included in the new short-term bill, please click here.

To see how your member voted, please click here.  

For more information, please contact Lucreda Cobbs, Senior Director, Advocacy and Civic Engagement at lcobbs@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

CCUSA Hosts National Hill Day

Catholic Charities USA continues to be dedicated to the goal of cutting in half the number of people living in poverty in America by 2020. We need your voice advocating Congress to help achieve this goal and to continue the conversation started at our Centennial which advances 21st century solutions to reduce poverty.

We anticipate the reintroduction of the National Opportunity and Community Renewal Act prior to your arrival in Washington, DC for our 2011 National Hill Day. Your Members of Congress need to hear your voice, your stories and your experiences in order to make the best choices for your community and the people you serve. We are excited to welcome back our colleagues from Soapbox who will organize our Hill Day.

Meetings will take place in the afternoon and early evening. If you have any special requests, please make sure you complete the survey that is sent with confirmation of registration.

To Register Now!

For more information, contact Lucreda Cobbs, Senior Director, Advocacy and Civic Engagement at lcobbs@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

Congress Goes on Recess 

As Congress goes on recess, decisions regarding funding for the FY2011 remain uncertain. When Congress returns from recess on March 28, they will have a short-time frame before the continuing resolution just signed into law by the President expires.

While members are back home in their districts, don’t forget to visit their offices, make calls, and or send them messages, letting them know how their decisions will affect your community.

Please look for a town hall alert telling you when and where members will hold town hall meetings.

For more information, contact Lucreda Cobbs, Senior Director, Advocacy and Civic Engagement at lcobbs@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

Farewell
It is with sadness for CCUSA and our Social Policy team, that we announce that Monica Maggiano has accepted another position.  Monica has truly left her mark on the work of CCUSA and our network through her leadership in managing Katrina Aid today, her enthusiastic work with Steve Liss, the Consumer Advisory Council and her passion for the Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America.  Our network has been enhanced by her service and dedication and the people we serve have been blessed by her work. We know that she will bring the same enthusiasm and passion to her new position as an Account Director at Powell Tate, a division of Weber Shandwick- the largest public relations company in the world.   Her first project is to oversee the Bank of America local market implementation strategy in 15 cities working with the local banks and local PR teams to help them be a better community partner. She will also be helping with some of the agencies Corporate Social Responsibility and social innovation accounts. 

Please join us in wishing her well.

Registration for CLINIC Annual Convening

Register now for the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) 14th Annual Convening in Seattle, WA, May 18-20, 2011.

From the basics of immigration law to the most advanced issues that arise in filing petitions, CLINIC’s 14th Annual Convening in Seattle, WA will offer workshops for legal services providers and immigration advocates at any level.

CLINIC’s three-day conference offers excellent updates on immigration law, insightful trainings, and opportunities for networking.

Come meet fellow advocates and learn new strategies for fundraising, program management, and advocacy. 

Registration and additional information is available online here.

For more information, contact Lucreda Cobbs, Senior Director, Advocacy and Civic Engagement at lcobbs@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

Let us know!
Do you have a unique relationship with your Representative or Senator?  Does your member of Congress have a special connection to Catholic Charities (adoption, services, supporter, etc)?  Have you recently met with her/him? Is there something CCUSA should know?

If so, please let us know. This information is very useful to us as we meet with congressional offices in Washington, DC.

Any time you interact with your elected officials please let Catholic Charities USA know by using the following feedback form. This will enable us to follow-up with them here in Washington.

For more information, please contact Lucreda Cobbs, Senior Director, Advocacy and Civic Engagement at lcobbs@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

***

Washington Weekly is a publication of the Social Policy Department of Catholic Charities USA
and is published regularly when Congress is in session.

Catholic Charities USA
Sixty-Six Canal Center Plaza, Suite 600, Alexandria, VA 22314
socialpolicy@catholiccharitiesusa.org    
For information about advocacy, please contact

Lucreda Cobbs at (703) 236-6243 or lcobbs@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

Visit our homepage at http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/

 To view our privacy policy, click here.

A new Executive Director has been appointed by the MCC’s Board of Directors and will begin on Monday, March 28th.  More information will be available at that time.

Volume 6 Number 10

Inside this Issue: 

• New Short-Term Extension Bill
• Senate Rejects Two Spending Proposals
• House Approves Legislation to Eliminate Foreclosure Relief
• Live Webcast on Immigration
• Let us know!

New Short-Term Extension Bill

On March 15, the U.S. House of Representatives passed, by a 271-158 vote, another short-term spending bill that would fund the government for an additional three weeks. The current continuing resolution, enacted earlier this month, is set to expire on March 2. The Congress will now have until April 8 to set spending levels for the remaining FY2011.

The measure that passed the House on March 15 would cut current spending by $6 billion. The new short-term bill would eliminate roughly $2.6 billion in funding for earmarks in Agriculture, Commerce-Justice-Science, Financial Services and Interior Sections departments. In addition, the bill would cut another $3.5 billion by reducing or eliminating funding for 25 government programs, many in which were slated for reduction or elimination in the President’s FY2012 budget proposal. For a summary of earmarks and programs included in the new short-term bill, please click here.

While the bill passed the chamber by a large margin, 54 Republicans and 104 Democrats voted against the legislation. Democrats reportedly voted against the bill due to spending cuts that harm the economy; while Republicans did not think the bill does enough to reduce spending. To see how your member voted, please click here. http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2011/roll179.xml

The bill will now go to the Senate where it is expected to pass later this week. Upon passage by the Senate, the bill will go to the President for signing.

Please look for an update in the next edition of Washington Weekly.

For more information, please contact Lucreda Cobbs at lcobbs@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

Senate Rejects Two Spending Proposals

On March 9, Republicans in the Senate tabled a bill specifying spending cuts previously passed in the House in the form of H.R. 1 (Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011). The bill faced competition from a Senate Democrat-backed amendment voted on in the same session.

The House-passed budget bill’s most recent version, approved by the House of Representatives on February 19, called for a reduction in spending by $61.3 billion. This bill would have made $1.026 trillion available for the 2011 fiscal year (FY2011). The Senate Democrat alternative, in the form of an amendment to the bill, called for a $1.079 trillion budget for FY2011. The Senate debate over the two proposals highlighted a gap between the two parties’ positions amounting to just under $53 billion.

In last Wednesday’s voting both proposals were rejected by the Senate. Specifically, the House-passed bill was voted down 44-56 while the Democrat-backed amendment was defeated by a vote of 42-58.

Some members of Congress expressed their shared hope that the White House will be able to facilitate a bipartisan agreement over an effective and reasonable budget for FY2011.

To see a full text of the House-passed budget bill recently voted down in the Senate (H.R.1), please click on the following link: Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011.

For more information, please contact Lucreda Cobbs, Senior Director, Advocacy and Civic Engagement at lcobbs@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

House Approves Legislation to Eliminate Foreclosure Relief

On March 10, U.S. House of Representatives passed by 256-171 the FHA Refinance Program Termination act (HR 830). The bill as passed by the House would eliminate the Federal Housing Administration program that assists homeowners who owe more money than what their homes are worth with refinancing their loans.

The following day, the House passed (242-177) the Emergency Mortgage Relief Termination Program Act (HR 836), a bill that would terminate the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program that provides emergency mortgage relief loans to unemployed homeowners facing foreclosure. According to the Congressional Quarterly, the bill sponsor Jebe Hensarling (R-TX) said, “The best foreclosure mitigation program in America is jobs; tax payers shouldn’t foot the bill for the program at a time when the nation is drowning in a sea of red ink.” However, Democrats on the Financial Services Committee argue that the program should be continued because it assists homeowners who become employed. Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) is expected to introduce a bill to revive the program which will include provisions to make the largest financial institutions responsible for the costs.

The House is also expected to vote on proposals to terminate the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) and the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP). The HAMP allows the use of funds from the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) as an incentive to lenders to renegotiate troubled loans. The NSP provides grants to states, local, government and nonprofits for the redevelopment of foreclosed and abandoned properties.

Similar legislation is not pending in the U.S. Senate. In addition, President Obama has pledged to veto the bill in the unlikely event that it passes the Senate.

To see how your member voted on HR 830, please click here. http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2011/roll171.xml

To see how your member voted, please click here. http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2011/roll174.xml

For more information, please contact Candy Hill at chill@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

Live Webcast on Immigration

On March 21, the USCCB and Catholic University will host an Immigration conference via live webcast.  Please share the conference webcast information with your contacts and ask them to encourage supporters of immigrants to watch any – or all – of the day’s events.  The webcast link is http://live.cua.edu/

The conference begins at 9 A.M. Eastern and a group of outstanding speakers will be presenting throughout the day.  Please also share the attached event program in order to allow those interested in the conference to plan their viewing schedule. 

If you are unable to include the conference agenda as an attachment, it is available at http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org/documents/cua-program-updated.pdf

For more information, please contact Antonio Cube at acube@usccb.org.

Let us know!

Do you have a unique relationship with your Representative or Senator? Does your member of Congress have a special connection to Catholic Charities (adoption, services, supporter, etc)? Have you recently met with her/him? Is there something CCUSA should know?

If so, please let us know. This information is very useful to us as we meet with congressional offices in Washington, DC.

Any time you interact with your elected officials please let Catholic Charities USA know by using the following feedback form. This will enable us to follow-up with them here in Washington.

For more information, please contact Monica Maggiano, Director of the Campaign to Reduce Poverty at mmaggiano@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

***

Washington Weekly is a publication of the Social Policy Department of Catholic Charities USA

and is published regularly when Congress is in session.

Catholic Charities USA
Sixty-Six Canal Center Plaza, Suite 600, Alexandria, VA 22314
socialpolicy@catholiccharitiesusa.org    
For information about advocacy, please contact

Lucreda Cobbs at (703) 236-6243 or lcobbs@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

Visit our homepage at http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/

Inside this issue:

• Update on FY2011 Spending
• President Unveils FY 2012 Spending Priorities
• CCUSA Annual Gathering and Poverty Summit — 2011 Call for Workshops
• Summer Food Service Webinar
• Let us know!

 Update on FY2011 Spending

On Wednesday, March 2, President Obama signed into law a short-term spending bill that will keep the government operational through March 18. The legislation reduces spending levels for the current 2011 fiscal year (FY2011) by $4 billion and eliminates earmarks, 4 education programs and extra funding previously provided in the FY2010 budget for highways. 

Despite approving the short-term bill, funding for the rest of this fiscal year remains unresolved. The Congress has two weeks to reach an agreement on FY2011 spending levels and to avoid the possibility of another government shutdown. President Obama issued a statement announcing that Vice President Biden will lead negotiations between House Republican and Senate Democratic leaders aimed at keeping the government funded through September 30.

As previously reported, the proposal passed by the House will reduce funding for non-security discretionary spending by $61.5 billion and is said to be the largest discretionary spending cut in modern history. The federal government’s non-security discretionary spending is comprised of the federal budget not reserved for defense, national security, or social programs (including: Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security).

On March 4, the Senate Appropriations Committee unveiled its version of a FY2011 spending proposal that would reduce funding by $51 billion. The Senate is expected to vote this week.

Please click this link for details of the cuts and terminations in the short-term extension bill.

For resources on the proposal passed by the House (HR 1), the Senate plan and the Congress’s long-term proposals please visit our webpage on the federal budget.

Please look for updates on our federal budget webpage as well as in the next edition of Washington Weekly. Catholic Charities USA continues to encourage you to weigh in with your members of Congress.

For more information, please contact Lucreda Cobbs, Senior Director, Advocacy and Civic Engagement at lcobbs@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

GAO Report Highlights Wasteful Allocation of Resources

A report released by the Government Accountability Office on Tuesday, March 1 exposed what it confirmed was evidence of waste and duplication currently costing the country billions of dollars each year. Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) – who requested the Opportunities to Reduce Potential Duplication in Government Programs, Save Tax Dollars and Enhance Revenue GAO report – praised the findings and explained the “report shows we could save taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars every year without cutting services.”

In addition to pointing out redundant structures and costly overlap in defense programs, transportation infrastructure projects and food safety oversight the report zeroed in on waste and inefficiencies in projects aimed at tackling homelessness and food assistance programs. According to the report in FY2009 the federal government spent $2.9 billion on more than 20 programs tasked with addressing the needs of the homeless. Since 2009 the government has tried to better coordinate efforts between its agencies. Yet, despite the increased attention on accountability, effectiveness and efficiency the GAO report found that continuing lack of coordination still disrupts the efficient and cost-effective delivery of services.

The GAO also found that in FY2008 $62.5 billion was spent on 18 different food assistance programs. While many of the overlapping agencies reported positive results, duplicated application requirements from each agency resulted in higher costs and administrative delays for federal offices and local organizations providing food assistance services.

With the current climate on Capitol Hill heavily focused on fiscal imbalances and the FY2011 budget the GAO report highlights the need for greater government efficiency.

Please click on the link to view the full GAO report.

For more information, please contact Lucreda Cobbs, Senior Director, Advocacy and Civic Engagement at lcobbs@catholiccharitiesusa.org

Deadline Extended – Tuesday, March 8, 2011

CCUSA Annual Gathering and Poverty Summit
2011 Call for Workshops

Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) will host the 2011 Annual Gathering and Poverty Summit in Fort Worth, Texas between September 18 and 21, 2011. At the Poverty Summit, CCUSA will convene 500-600 social work, management, social ministry, policy professionals and partners.

We invite you to consider submitting a proposal for a workshop.  A maximum of thirty-six workshops will be offered during one of three periods on Tuesday and Wednesday during the conference. Some workshops may be selected for the Poverty Summit on Monday as well.

Sessions at the conference will focus on:

• Poverty reduction through a holistic, results-oriented and market-based approach;
• Priorities Evidence-based programming;
• Professional development in areas such as development, social work, advocacy, communications and non-profit administration; and,
• Organizational development. 

Please review the instruction sheet for more information on selection criteria and the full procedure for workshop submissions.  For additional information, please visit the Workshops’ webpage.

All workshop submissions are due by Tuesday, March 8, 2011 (extended deadline).

Feel free to forward this email.

For more information, please contact Amy Stinger at 703-236-6227 or at astinger@catholiccharitiesusa.org 

Summer Food Service Webinar

What: USDA FNS: Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) Webinar

Date: Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Target Audience: General Public Session

Time: 6:00pm – 7:00pm EST

Please click here to register.

Description:

Each summer, 22.3 million students are at risk of going hungry when the school year ends and school lunches are no longer available.  For many children, school meals are the only complete and nutritious meals they eat during the day. Unfortunately, in the summer they go without these meals.  This summer, the need will likely increase. The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) can help to fill the summer meal gap for low-income children.  Faith-based, community and private non-profit organizations can make a difference in the lives of hungry children by serving meals with SFSP – a federally funded program administered by states that reimburses organizations for meals served to children during the summer.

Join us to learn more about how you can help and hear the benefits of being a part of the Summer Food Service Program!

Participation:  This session will be available via Microsoft Office LiveMeeting (Webinar) and is free to all participants.  For this webinar you will need a phone line and a computer with internet access.  To participate, please complete the online registration.  Registered participants will receive additional information.

To participate in any of the free webinar sessions, please register by clicking on the registration link.

Additional SFSP Information: Additional information on the Summer Food Service Program can be accessed through the USDA’s resource for “free webinars” found on the agency’s Food and Nutrition Service website. 

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact:

Emily Buckham Buday

Emily.buckham@fns.usda.gov 

703-605-0772 

Let us know! 

Do you have a unique relationship with your Representative or Senator? Does your member of Congress have a special connection to Catholic Charities (adoption, services, supporter, etc)? Have you recently met with her/him? Is there something CCUSA should know?

If so, please let us know. This information is very useful to us as we meet with congressional offices in Washington, DC.

Any time you interact with your elected officials please let Catholic Charities USA know by using the feedback form. This will enable us to follow-up with them here in Washington.

For more information, please contact Monica Maggiano, Director of the Campaign to Reduce Poverty at mmaggiano@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

Baltimore, MD, March 3, 2011 – This year Pope Benedict XVI’s Lenten message invites Catholics to consider the traditions of fasting and sacrifices. “For Christians,” the Holy Father said, “fasting, far from being depressing, opens us ever more to God and to the needs of others, thus allowing love of God to become also love of our neighbor.”

“This is exactly what we mean at CRS when we say that solidarity can transform the world,” said Catholic Relief Services President, Ken Hackett. “As we state in our guiding principles: “We are all part of one human family — whatever our national, racial, religious, economic or ideological differences — and in an increasingly interconnected world, loving our neighbor has global dimensions.”

Operation Rice Bowl, Catholic Relief Services’ annual Lenten program, offers Catholics here in the United States an opportunity to follow the Lenten call to sacrifice by learning about our brothers and sisters living in poverty, and by making sacrificial contributions that will help them improve their lives. This year’s theme, We are Disciples of all Nations, reflects this opportunity to reach out beyond our borders by highlighting the people and cuisine of Haiti, Indonesia, Senegal, Honduras and Kenya, and the CRS projects that help to alleviate poverty in these countries.

Each Lent, Catholic families, parishes and schools use symbolic rice bowls during the 40 days of Lent as the focal point for their prayer, fasting and learning. Participants fast in solidarity with those who hunger and make the small sacrifice of preparing simple, meatless recipes from developing countries each week, putting the money they would have spent on a big meal into the rice bowls. That money goes to support CRS’ mission to fight global hunger.

Catholics raise more than $8 million annually through Operation Rice Bowl.  Seventy-five percent of contributions support CRS’ development projects overseas, including agriculture projects to help farmers improve crop yields, water projects to bring clean water to communities, microfinance projects that support the growth of small businesses and provide families with reliable income, and health projects to provide basic medical care to poor and vulnerable communities.  Twenty-five percent of contributions remain in dioceses in the U.S. to support local hunger and poverty alleviation efforts.

Resources for your use, including stories, photos and multimedia, are available at orb.crs.org/.

The other attachment is the first Migration Review newsletter from MRS.  It will be produced on a bi-monthly basis and is intended to help keep you informed on migration related issues that are important to the USCCB.

It’s a frightening honor for me to stand here before you this morning.  I have viewed the JRLC with awe since learning of its existence in January 1995 as I was preparing to begin a new phase of ministry in my own life –responding to a call to minister in the public square as ED of MNCC.  That sense of awe only grew as I grew in my grasp of all the JRLC is – a coalition of four distinct faith traditions bringing a common witness – a united voice for justice.

I want to add that it is not only awesome; it is also unique.  In meeting with State Catholic Conference Directors from across the US, I have learned that MN stands alone in drawing together those of the Jewish, Muslim, Roman Catholic and other Christian traditions to address the common good of all peoples.  I consider it a blessing to be among your number and am so grateful that we stand together.   Join Brian in thanking you for your presence today and for the advocacy work you do for JRLC.  And legislators,  you have made government service a career; we thank you not only for being here, but for your on-going everyday ministry to people of MN – that is what your service is.  Though we may not always see things in the same light, we know that you, as much as we, are seekers of justice and for that we thank you.

We, who are the JRLC share a common ancestry and a common God; in our varied faith traditions, we are sons and daughters of Abraham – the one who with his wife Sara extended hospitality to a stranger – and in that gesture – became the fore-runners of innumerable generations. 

It’s that faith that brings us – that calls us to be here.  Our God governs with equity and judges with justice — is “a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of distress” – that is the theme of our gathering today.  That faith offers our challenge, our task, our ministry today – to bring and preserve justice in our day – to be the voice for justice – empowering the powerless – to seeing that none live in oppression.

I hear the words “fair” and “equal” used a good deal in the political spectrum; not so often, justice!  They are not synonymous.  Carelessly equated by some they can have very different meanings.  Life for many is not “fair” – or if we’re willing to say all are starving together is fair, maybe it is!  But it’s not just!  Fairness and justice are not the same.

 Or, “ all are created equal”  –yes!  That is not to say all are the same – that all have the same gifts and same limitations.  And those gifts we each enjoy as individuals – they aren’t given just for us.  They’re given to be shared.  Let’s take life itself , the first and most basic gift:  No one of us gifted with life to be lived in isolation.  We are a people and the gifts given are to be shared as part of our common life together.  One reaps. One sows – another markets – another packages – another purchases and re-sells, still another purchases and consumes.   One has the gift of music, another enjoys athletic skills, one is a gifted thinker, the other a  leader. 

No, the equality we share is an equality of  rights by virtue of our human dignity.  Unfortunately not all enjoy those rights – are not treated as equals – all are not given justice. Rights bring responsibilities – my right to freedom goes along with yours.  “We are called on together to protect “our” rights?   Does that make it fair or unfair?

When we speak of justice for all, we usually address it as the “common good.”  The “good” of one is not necessarily the good of another – certainly, not of all!  The voice of justice, the common good, demand that all have that which is necessary for life commensurate with human dignity – food, housing, security, employment, healthcare.

I make no pretense of being an economist; I am not.  I respect the skill of those who are.  However, since the decimation of our economy in 2008,  in bank failures, stock price decreases, the undermining of home values , mortgage foreclosures, stagnant real estate sales, and soaring unemployment rates and govt. compensation, lack of space in homeless shelters, increasing use of food shelves and food stamps,  — if what I hear and read in the media is correct – corporate profits and stockholder values, bank profits have returned to what they were or beyond.  There has been no decrease in unemployment, use of homeless shelters or food shelves, and mortgage foreclosures – and the real estate market has remained stagnant at best.  During the same period, reduced income taxes for top wage-earners  have stayed in place and the middle class has experienced a minor decrease.  Wages have remained stagnant at best and pensions have been negatively affected.  Real estate taxes, bonding bills, special assessments and service reductions have soared.  Something is awry!!!!   Call it fairness/equality or justice …. Something doesn’t add up.  We do have serious financial problems to solve – not, however, on the backs of the poor.

In responding to those in need, some would suggest Charities – our churches and benevolent organizations be caretakers for those in the safety net – but we say NO!   we aren’t asking charity – we’re seeking justice – justice demands that rights be granted– that includes empowerment for the oppressed; they are powerless: if we are to serve the common good, we must lift them from the safety net to the ability and the will to know the dignity of work, to earn a just wage, and to themselves, find their skills, their gifts – and bring them to the common table.  That’s their right.   And that is our pledge: to climb with them the ladder out of poverty, out of unemployment or employment skills, out of a lack of education,  — and we believe that to be the role of government as well.

The opening words of Minnesota’s constitution assert that “Government is instituted for the security, benefit and protection of the people….”  And that is a re-iteration of words of our federal constitution:  “… in order to form a more perfect union …. Establish justice … domestic tranquility, common defense … general welfare   ….. the blessings of liberty  … we come together.  That is the purpose of government.  And one of our many blessings in MN and the US is that our government is a participatory one – that is why we are here – today – in the public square – to participate in government.

Conservative icon, Wm. Buckley – and I don’t reference his conservatism in anything but respect – wrote a brief book entitled “Gratitude.”  His reference point is America; I think his remarks are equally applicable to the portion of America called MN.  In the chapter “The Patrimony and Civic Obligation: he writes “Those of  lucky enough to live in the United States are the beneficiaries of a cultural inheritance that is impossible to fully reckon and that gives us enormous advantages – from the laws and institutions built over generations that allow free people to prosper to the music we enjoy.  It is vital, he states, that citizens acknowledge this debt to civilization.  One of  the ills of modern life, is that we take to many things for granted. He lamented the failure to acknowledge a running debt to one’s homeland.  One way citizens routinely acknowledge this debt is through taxes reasonably enacted.

As a nation and a state, we face incredible budget deficits.  It is the role of government to responsibly respond to the deficits – just as each of us in our individual and family situations must – but remember we’re talking now about “we and “us” – not “me and him or her.   It seems our choice is to raise revenue or fail in justice – in meeting the needs of the common good.  Yes, those who are able are called on to share more fully so those who lack are not denied justice.

Both state and nation used to boast a progressive system of taxation; those who can give more are asked to do so; that’s how we have become who we are – or were!   MN was once 1^st in education, 1^st in caring for those without power; we have fallen to mediocrity.  Why should the rich pay more?  Because they have more!  

Unfortunately, that makes them the “bad guys.”  Would that it were so simple!  We must ask, would we be any different – or has our success – our prosperity made us all the same –It’s mine – not ours!   Blessings and curses alike!  For all the criticism of the financial sector, it was ordinary people who let it happen by themselves “seeking the magic bullet – investing in the impossible schemes – buying what we could not afford.   What would happen, if for one day, the rich could really place themselves in the ranks of the poor – and the poor in  the ranks of the rich.  History suggests an unhappy response:  the great depression of 1929 saw many of the wealthy jumping from the high bridge – and lottery winner are notorious for being broke in a short time.

We were once an industrial nation; no longer!   We have a much truncated industrial block; some would blame it on high wages for those who worked in our factories.  The high wages also purchased the goods manufactured.  When one segment works against the other; all fail.  When cooperatively – and justly, we thrive!

Bishop Peter Rogness, St. Paul Synod of ELCA in a op-ed piece published  in the Star Tribune on  2/7/11, suggests in speaking of our nation that “We have changed from a people sharing a common life to several hundred million individuals who happen to live near one another.    While spoken of our nation (and we speak to Federal officials too) that same sad statement is all too true of Minnesota as well.   We have made government, in many cases, an enemy.    We have lost the realization that our individual well-being is tied to well-being of our neighbors.  Is it necessary that we ask if prosperity need isolate us  from one another and erode our common purpose?

Through our government, we build roads and hire teachers; we employ police and fire-fighters to keep us safe and establish courts to maintain order,  we protect our land and build parks; we must also care for the poor/the powerless / and empower them.

Our individualism touches closely on our understanding the freedom of which we rightly boast in our society as well.  Too often, in reflecting on freedom, we look only to a “freedom from”  ……  freedom from unjust aggressors, freedom from illness, freedom from exploitation – and too seldom the “freedom to”. ….. freedom to work together to overcome natural disasters,  to defeat threats to our security,  to end injustice – and let’s be very pragmatic to deal with budget deficits.

That freedom brings with it responsibility for our actions.    Participatory government brings not only a freedom to participate but a call to that participation and the acceptance of that call.  We enjoy the freedom; the responsibility comes with it.  That’s why we’re here!

One final word:  I have spoken of the common good and placed that in the context of the immense dignity of every human being.  In leaving this room to continue our work together. It is imperative that we respect one another’s dignity in our disagreements about solutions – that we speak respectfully – listen to each other – be open to learn from each other- and recognize that the noble art of politics calls us to compromise.