Diocese of Winona-Rochester Social Concerns   
News and Announcements
 "To promote and support parish social action through education"

Our committee meets on a monthly basis to discuss the issues of Social Concerns within our Diocese, and to plan opportunities to learn and explore issues of concern. Updates and information are available below. Feel free to contact us by responding to this newsletter or through the feedback button at the bottom of the newsletter with any questions or feedback. 
Profiles in Justice
Local Dream Catcher kids in action!
This month youth leaders, from the Worthington area Dream Catchers group , participated in the Better Together food packing program. This ecumenical service opportunity had them packing meals for the needs of the local community. Many of the meals they packed will be distributed through the "backpack" food program in the school, the food shelves, and local churches.

Most of the people working today came for a two hour shift, the first of which started at 1:30 p.m. The Dream Catchers went above and beyond in there service were there at 9 a.m., ready to serve in any way and worked assembly lines until at 3:30 pm!
The kids unloaded trucks, set up tables then prepared the assembly lines on the tables, put boxes together and stickers on bags. They squeezed in a little time between serving needs to learn about the two areas of service, justice and charity, and also time for pizza for lunch. The Dream Catchers even performed a skit "Who is My Neighbor?" which was their version of the story of the Good Samaritan. 

These kids are an amazing example with their willingness to serve. They worked consistently, never complained, and did joyfully whatever they were asked to do!

Way to go Dream Catchers!
Action Alerts
Click on the red "take action" line to get more information and to take action today!

Right now the Senate is considering a bipartisan $4.6 billion supplemental spending bill to provide aid for the humanitarian crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border. The bill includes $793 million for Customs and Border Protection migrant care and processing facilities, and $112 million for medical care and supplies, such as clothing and hygiene products. It also includes $30 million for the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program (EFSP), which funds organizations helping hungry and homeless people, as well as those at risk of becoming hungry or homeless due to economic hardships. The bill contains no funds for a wall on the southern border or additional detention by Immigration and Custom Enforcement.

This declaration expresses the U.S. Catholic community’s call to climate action, arising from our theological foundation, proclaimed to all within our one human family. From this call we envision, pray for, and act towards a thriving future, with our family and the gift of God’s creation.




The actions of thousands of others across the U.S. made a huge difference in the House's budget proposal. They helped protect life-saving funding that supports our human family living in poverty overseas.

Now, it's your turn to focus on the Senate as they develop key parts of their budget proposal before departing for August recess this week.

As the most significant piece of bipartisan climate legislation to be introduced since 2009 , the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (EICDA) seeks to reduce national carbon pollution emissions by over 90% by 2050 by pricing carbon at $15 per metric ton and increasing $10 every year. This level of ambition would be a significant step towards addressing the climate challenge, especially its impacts our poor and vulnerable neighbors, and our shared future.



Do you think that doctors should be forced to perform abortions or “gender transition” procedures against their beliefs? Or that taxpayers should be forced to pay for them?

If the answer is NO, please send a comment to the Department of Health and Human Services today!
Upcoming Events
#Luv1LuvAll "Recharge" Retreat
Luverne area's #Luv1LuvAll, who's mission is "to unite the community and surrounding areas to support dignity and create opportunities for people to move out of poverty," is offering a one day retreat on August 15th.

This fun event is free and open to the community! Join us to examine community issues that currently include:
-Access to Dental Care
-Brain Health
-Safe and Affordable Housing
-Generations (Senior Dining)
-Access to Resources

This a free event with lunch provided by Sanford Health.
Location: American Reformed Church
Date: August 15, 2019
Time: 9 am - 5 pm
Registration required: Contact ATLAS to register at 507-449-5777, by August 9.
Spotlight on Resources
Last month we looked at the Minnesota Catholic Conference (MCC)'s “ Minnesota, Our Common Home" Part 1: A Crisis of Nature. This month we want to continue and look at Part 2: Ecological Conversion

In Laudato si’, Pope Francis invites the world to a total renewal of human life and society.35 Such a renewal, however, requires a lively vision of what God intends human life to be. The response proposed by Pope Francis is a life in which we are more aware of our deep interconnectedness with God and all His creatures. It involves all of our life. Conversion will certainly have implications for how we treat the 10 Distributed by: environment, but it requires a complete reorientation of every aspect of our lives. This transformation must begin, for each and every person without exception, with a personal, life-changing encounter with the person of Jesus Christ, who modeled human life perfectly.... Check out the full document here!

Human Trafficking: Modern Day Slavery
Tool Kit Prepared by Sisters of St. Francis
Available for use in your school/parish or social group: The Human Trafficking: Modern Day Slavery (Now called Human Exploitation) Tool Kit explores Who are Victims and Traffickers, Pornography effects, Federal and MN State Legislation, Catholic social Teaching, Where it exists and What you can do?

Tool Kit includes a Power Point Presentation and instructors Manuel and Answers to frequently asked questions. Kit will be sent to your requesting group in adequate time for preparation to your group.
 
Another option is to request a presenter(s) to come to your location. Contact Darlene Kelly  507-282-0578 
(**please note this contact phone number has been updated since last month's post**)
Amplifying the Story of the Exploited: Standing Beside the Voiceless
Submitted by S Marlys Jax OSF, member of DOWR Social Concern Committee

They arrive from around the world for countless reasons. Some are fleeing persecution or violence in the country of their birth. Others leave because the lack of jobs, poverty, and the inability to support their families. Millions of immigrants risk deportation and imprisonment by living in the USA without legal documentation. They are fearful, living under stress having to navigate a somewhat “hidden” life with little protection from exploitation at the hands of employers. They struggle to carve out a life for themselves here in Southeast Minnesota. ... read full article.
You can become Laudato Si' Animators!
This is what we have seen in the news recently: Devastating heat waves in the Arctic, India, and throughout Europe. Droughts that are killing crops and resulting in loss of water access for communities. Major storms and 1-in-100 year floods happening for the second, third or fourth year in a row. Cities even seeing cars washed away after receiving one month’s worth of rain in one morning. The scale of the climate emergency is more evident by the day. 

But there is hope. Communities and institutions are standing up and announcing plans to eliminate their emissions, after communities are calling for action. Animators are leading the call to action in the Church. We invite you to join others around the world and apply to become a Laudato Si’ Animator today.

How is YOUR parish putting FAITH INTO ACTION?

“What kind of world do we want to leave to those who come after us, to children who are now growing up?” Pope Francis, Laudato Si

"Catholic Energies provides experience, expertise, and financial resources at no cost to Catholic organizations that wish to embrace and install solar power and other energy efficiency equipment to help reduce costs, protect our Common Home, and future generations.

[They] provide turnkey services including project design, development, management and capital to pay for your installation without debt financing or risk of ownership. You reduce your utility expenses and demonstrate commitment to reduce greenhouse gas pollution by consuming cleaner energy and reducing your overall energy consumption."
The Season of Creation begins with the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation on September 1st and ends the Feast of St. Francis on October 4th.

The Covenant and  the Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach  have collaborated to produce a special four-part Season of Creation Prayer Series designed to be prayed each Sunday after Mass during the Season of Creation. Each service lasts about 10-15 minutes and incorporates a reflection on the Sunday readings, viewed through the lens of creation care. The series culminates in Catholic Climate Covenant’s Feast of St. Francis program.
What are you doing in your community?
Is your community doing a project or working on an issue that you would like to share? We would love to highlight your efforts, events and ministry! Let us know what you are doing.
How are we doing?
 We would love to hear your feedback on this newsletter. What do you like? What is helpful? What would you like to see? We can't wait to hear from you!  Send Feedback

Looking for past editions of our newsletter? You can access them ALL on Catholic Charities of Southern MN's Parish Social Ministry Page.