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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"Solidarity is not a feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of so many people, both near and far. On the contrary, it is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good; that is to say, to the good of all and of each individual, because we are all really responsible for all."
-St. John Paul II,
On Social Concern
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Start a Bible Study!
Don't see your community listed?
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Join a Bible Study!
Rochester:
Tues. 2/27-4/2 6:30-7:30PM
Tues. 3/17-4/21 6:00-7:15PM
Tues. 3/3-4/14 7:00-8:30PM
Tues. 3/3-4/7 7:00PM
Winona:
Tues. 3/3-4/7 7:00PM
Iona (7 Themes of CST):
For more information,
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Click on the red "take action" line to get more information and to take action today!
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As Catholics, we are called to promote the safety and well-being of the poor and vulnerable. This bill (
SF 1152
/
HF 1000
) aims to help protect children, some of the most vulnerable members of our society, and women, who often because of economic need will turn to surrogacy from abuses. We must prevent these exploitative practices that commodify persons.
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The SOAR Act provides federal dollars to all three sectors of education in Washington, D.C. - public schools, public charter schools, and scholarships for low-income families to select a private school best suited to the needs of their children. Over half of these families select a Catholic Education! Additional funding is needed to respond to demand by DC parents.
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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
March 19th
, St. John the Baptist Parish in Mankato will be hosting an evening 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.
Questions?
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Upcoming Events with the Rochester Franciscans
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Fridays, 11:00AM - 1:00PM
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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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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Our 2020 Day on the Hill theme comes from a quotation from Pope Francis:
“Politics … is one of the highest forms of charity, because it serves the common good.”
In 2020, hundreds of people of faith will come together to serve the common good! Join faithful advocates from across the state on April 1, 2020 to reflect on why we make our voices heard, to plan for continued actions in our home communities, and to advocate for meaningful change in the state of Minnesota. Archbishop Hebda will be the keynote speaker.
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8-10:00 AM | Registration
8:30 AM | Optional Sessions
What to Expect at Day on the Hill;
The Reality of Homelessness in MN: The Wilder Homeless Study
9:25 AM | Welcome, Opening Prayer
9:50 AM | Key Note Address
Most Reverend Archbishop Hebda
10:20 AM | Issue Briefings
11:45 AM-2:30 PM | Mtgs. w/ Legislators
1:00 PM | Social Justice Awards & Closing
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For more information about the event, or to request carpooling and busing info,
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Our Journey into the Desert:
Perspectives of Another
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Lisa Kremer OFS | PSM Coordinator, Worthington Deanery
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Each and every year we enter into this season of Lent, challenged to be transformed. We make sacrifices, seek reconciliation and forgiveness and give to those in need. We pray “change our hearts, O Lord” and talk about wandering into the desert. All of these are good things.
But do we really know what it means to enter the desert? We all listen to the Gospel descriptions of the Jesus’ time in the Wilderness, and how he resisted the temptation to put his own human desires before the will of his Father.
When I read about the Lenten desert, I think of my son who spent time in Iraq. He told me that the desert he experienced wasn’t about rolling sand dunes like we generally visualize, but of dirt and wind and vast nothingness. When I have visited the desert in Arizona, my experience was similar.
But for me, it was just a visit. A short
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time seeing the desert. I didn’t spend my nights there, I didn’t travel for days or weeks through the seemingly unending wasteland. I didn’t know any fear or uncertainty of being there, as Jesus might have. But I know people who have had that physical experience. They are some of the immigrants that I have come to know, people who traveled across the desert in the hope of finding a better life, but having to face the fears of the unknown elements of the desert to do that. And the uncertainty of what would meet them when they arrived in their “promised land”.
So this Lent, I invite you to reflect with some of these people. Listen to the words they have in response to some of the scripture passages that tell us about how to welcome the stranger among us. Absorb their words and experiences as people who have known the desert first-land and allow them to lead you deeper in your Lenten journey. Allow me to introduce you to a few of your neighbors.
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Catholic Social Teaching reminds us that
how we organize our society—in economics and politics, in law and policy—directly affects human dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow in community. We believe people have a right and a duty to participate in society, seeking together the common good and well-being of all, especially the poor and vulnerable. (USCCB)
Participating in the census fulfills this mission because its results help determine how billions of dollars in federal funding flow into states and communities each year. U.S. Census Bureau data helps communities respond to natural disasters and secure funding for hospitals and fire departments. So, to benefit a community, everyone needs to be counted. And a reminder: Your responses are used only to produce statistics. The Census Bureau does not disclose any personal information. While you are required by law to participate, the Census Bureau is also required by law to protect your answers.
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Check out these three Lenten Resources!
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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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