Diocese of Winona-Rochester Social Concerns
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"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.
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CORRECTION: The original February Newsletter listed St. Mary's Church in Winona as one of the locations for the upcoming Spring Social Concerns Events focusing on St. Oscar Romero. The actual location will be at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona on 3/21 at 10:00 AM. See updated information under 'Upcoming Events'.
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Rochester
Warming Center Update
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“The warming center has kept 106 bodies and hearts warm at least for a night among the less hopeful folks thanks to the compassionate team of 172 volunteers, donors and staff who make this possible.”
-Michael Gwanjaye
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On Wednesday, December 11, 2019, the Rochester Community Warming Center opened its doors for the first time. On the first night 26 people came in from the cold to receive 10 hours of shelter, a warm bed, hot coffee, and food. Catholic Charities opened the Warming Center in a collaboration with Olmsted County and the City of Rochester.
The Rochester Community Warming Center is the newest program of Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota, patterned after Winona’s Warming Center which is in its fourth season of operation and also under the umbrella of Catholic Charities. The offer from Olmsted County and the City of Rochester to enter into a partnership to open a Warming Center in Rochester came in August, 2019.
The Olmsted County provided the building, located on 200 4th St. SE and three months were necessary to complete the renovation to accommodate 30 beds for overnight guests. Catholic Charities had to hire, build a volunteer base, provide formation in the running of the Center, and prepare the building for operation. The City of Rochester has provided a grant for season one to help in the cost of operations. This has been a great collaboration with Olmsted County, the City of Rochester and Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota. The commitment to provide shelter every night, even during holidays, was in play when the shelter was open this past Christmas and New Year . . .
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Click on the red "take action" line to get more information and to take action today!
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The visit of Pope Francis to Hiroshima and Nagasaki is a poignant reminder of the grave threat to human life posed by nuclear weapons. Please contact your members of Congress and urge them to support the Richard G. Lugar and Ellen O. Tauscher Act to Maintain Limits on Russian Nuclear Forces (S. 2394/H.R.2529).
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For children who have seen the devastation of war in their communities or been forced to flee their homes due to violence, their development is impacted severely due to the trauma and stress.
All children should be able to grow and thrive. You can help lead the way to a solution that helps children overseas not only to survive but thrive.
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CST: 101
Coming to Mankato!
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Have you heard the terms 'Common Good', 'Solidarity', 'Social Justice', or 'Consistent Life Ethic', and wondered what exactly they mean? Are you growing increasingly frustrated by a feeling that neither major party fully represents your viewpoint?
On
February 22nd
, St. John the Baptist Parish in Mankato will be hosting a morning of teaching and dialogue about how to live out our faith in the public arena! This presentation is sponsored by Catholic Charities' Office of Parish Social Ministry, and is designed to teach the basics of Catholic Social Teaching, as well as address any specific questions and concerns that participants bring.
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There will be future presentations of
CST: 101
throughout the Mankato Deanery.
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Upcoming Events with the Rochester Franciscans
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Fridays, 11:00AM - 1:00PM
2/28, 3/13, 4/3, 5/1, 6/5
Reservations due one week in advance.
Cost is $12
With the day’s Gospel message on the right and life in the fast lane on the left, Dinner and Dialogue offers in-depth conversations about the most pressing social issues of our times. Fr. J. Michael Joncas will preach on the Liturgical readings of the day. Come share your experiences with the prepared questions for integrating spirituality in your daily life.
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February 21, 6:30 - 8:00PM
Lecture | Cost is $12
Thomas Sweetser, a Jesuit, has worked for 35 years in evaluation/renewal of Catholic parishes across the country. In 2011, he sought to interview practicing and non-practicing Catholics, regarding their honest perception of the Church. In the meantime, Pope Francis was elected. Waiting several years after the election, he interviewed the same people again. Some had stayed, some had left. Their voiced opinions touched on the hot-button issues such as women, sex abuse, hierarchy, clericalism and deep desire for authentic spirituality. Author, Tom Sweetser, SJ, will explore his current opinion of the state of affairs in the church.
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February 22, 9:00AM-2:00PM
Cost is $40 (includes lunch)
A day of reflection to look at your personal awareness of God’s love and noticing the needs and responding to the call to share that love. The workshop is intended for individuals, parish committees or teams, community project groups or neighborhoods. The day will include prayer, reflection and exploring ideas for reaching out to others, especially those on the margins that is, “going out into the streets” as Pope Francis has challenges us to do. The day is designed to generate excitement, enthusiasm and reinvigorate ourselves to be engaged and invested in our faith and community.
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Fr. Tom Sweetser is a Jesuit of the Milwaukee province. He is founder and current director of the Parish Evaluation Project. He has taught in various US universities and author of numerous books, the last of which is Can Francis Change the Church? This day’s program will combine sociology, theology and group process.
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All events take place at Assisi Heights
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This year, as we prepare to celebrate the Feast of St. Oscar Romero of El Salvador and the 40th Anniversary of his death, please join the Social Concerns Committee of the Diocese of Winona Rochester and Catholic Charities of Southern MN in welcoming Marta Portilla, a catechist who worked with Archbishop Romero in the 1970s. She will be sharing with us great insight into this Saint, who he was, and what he stood for.
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Marta Portillo is a Catholic who worked with her fellow Salvadorians during the civil war there. She was a community leader among the rural populations in the countryside of El Salvador in the time of Romero. Marta speaks of drawing powerful inspiration from the Sunday homilies of then Archbishop Romero and from the political realities which propelled a new relationship between the Church and its people, the government with its people, and the people of El Salvador with themselves as well as with the world.
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Weds. March 4th | 6:15 PM
Mon. March 9th | 7:00 PM
Weds. March 11th | 7:00 PM
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Sun. March 15th | 2:00 PM
Fri. March 20th | 7:00 PM
Sat. March 21st | 10:00 AM
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Helpful Links:
National Human Trafficking Hotline
If you see something, say something.
1 (888) 373-7888
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Human Trafficking: Modern Day Slavery
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This Human Trafficking Toolkit, provided by the Sisters of St. Francis of Rochester, explores who the Victims and Traffickers are, the effects of Pornography, Federal and MN State Legislation, Catholic Social Teaching, where Trafficking exists, and what you can do.
Includes a Power Point Presentation, an Instructor's Manual, and Answers to FAQ's. A presenter can be provided at your request.
To request the Toolkit, contact Darlene Kelly: (507) 282-0578
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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.
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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
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Looking for past editions of our newsletter? You can access them ALL on Catholic Charities of Southern MN's
Parish Social Ministry Page.
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