June 11, 2009
Good News
The Summer edition of our office newsletter. 

May 21, 2009
Catholics Confront Global Poverty
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) invite Catholics throughout the U.S. to join this campaign.

May 21, 2009
To learn about the JustFaith program and other programs of shorter duration, please visit their web site and contact the national office directly (they're very helpful) and/or email J.L. Drouhard in the Missions Office about how we can help a parish to participate in 2009-2010.  If finances are a concern, please contact us in the Missions Office.

June 24 2009
Missions column in The Progress:  Supporting seminarians and novices in mission overseas


Economic Crisis
June 19, 2009
Catholic teaching on economic life resources
Economic Recovery web site at Catholic Charities USA
"A parish responds to the economic downturn" a resource packet from Diocese of Green Bay
Questions and Answers about Catholic social teaching on economic life
Can this market be saved?  Catholic social teaching and the current situation.
Moral response to the financial crisis: a letter from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to Congressional leadership.  
Poverty in the USA - virtual tour, quiz, multimedia gallery, educational resources for all ages.
Reflection Resource on Economic Justice for All

October 9, 2008
Global Food Crisis
“Those who eat the Bread of Christ cannot remain indifferent before those who, even in our days, lack daily bread." - Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict urges U.N. meeting to address global hunger, in advance of his new encyclical due out in July.
Two resources from the U.S. bishops and Catholic Relief Services:  A a two-page bulletin insert that overviews Catholic social teaching about food and USCCB/CRS’s policy responses, and a four-page FAQ sheet that explains the causes of the food crisis, ways in which people around the world have been impacted, USCCB and CRS responses, and suggestions for how Catholics in the U.S. can take action. These and more resources can be found at CRS and at the Catholic Campaign Against Global Poverty website. 

Resource Notices
The U.S. bishops in 1997 issued a statement on global solidarity in which they said,
“Catholic communities of faith should measure their prayer, education, and action by how they serve the life, dignity, and rights of the human person at home and abroad.
A parish’s ‘catholicity’ is illustrated in its willingness to go beyond its own boundaries to extend the Gospel, serve those in need, and work for global justice and peace.
This is not a work for a few agencies or one parish committee, but of every believer and every local community of faith.”

The following resources are offered in the spirit of that statement:

Youth (Grades 7-12) Multi-media arts contest on “Empowering communities, Uprooting poverty.”  Sponsored by Catholic Campaign for Human Development and the Missions Office.

Shopping with CRS Fair Trade means you are supporting artisans, bringing beautiful items into your world and strengthening the Fair Trade movement!  Through the Work of Human Hands program, Catholic Relief Services and its partner, SERRV, offer you the chance to buy high quality, fairly traded handcrafts and gourmet food items from disadvantaged producers all over the world. Consider hosting a sale at your parish this Fall!  CRS also partners with SERRV and Equal Exchange on fair trade coffee and chocolate.   The Missions Office can assist with support, speakers and educational materials.

Education for Justice
A well-received, appreciated resource in our communities. A membership-based resource for parishes and schools from the Center of Concern.

Catholic African Connections is a collaborative project among parishes in Western Washington intended to share experiences, knowledge, and resources with others working in Africa or planning to start partnerships in Africa. 
Save the date:  April 24, 2010 for the next conference for our communities with partnerships in Africa, with special invitation to those from Africa serving in our parishes and archdiocesan ministries.


Holy Childhood Association’s Resource Guide for K-8 classrooms and programs for 2009-2010 is available online from HCA.  

Poverty in America:  A Threat to the Common Good, a policy paper from Catholic Charities USA.  Please consider endorsing CCUSA's Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America.

Social Justice Resource for elementary/middle school: PovertyUSA Student Action Project materials from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development provide age-appropriate resources for use with grades K-8 in schools and religious education programs to raise awareness about poverty in the United States and our Catholic response.