Diocese of Winona 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, through the feedback button at the bottom of the newsletter, or through our Facebook page with any questions or feedback. 
Profiles in Justice: Mary Lou Mulligan
Mary Lou Mulligan is the chair person and leader of the St. Catherine’s (Luverne) and St. Mary’s (Ellsworth) Partners for Human Concerns Committee , but this title does not do her justice. She is a shining champion of political advocacy and an outspoken Catholic voice in the public sphere as well.

Mary Lou is active in advocacy at the parish, local, state and federal levels, often giving the PHC Committee updates from the work of multiple outlets that she follows and works with including Minnesota Catholic Conference, JRLC, The Network, Catholic Rural Life and many more! She keeps everyone informed on action alerts, activities and hot topics. She regularly writes, emails and calls legislators and participates in events at the Capital, such as Day on the Hill and Catholics at the Capital, to advocate in person.

Beyond being a political advocate, Mary Lou lives out what she advocates for in her daily life, through her work with organizations such as the local Food Shelf, Habitat for Humanity, #Luv1LuvAll and CRS' Fair Trade (just to name a few!). She is a great example of the “ Two Feet of Love in Action ” with her justice advocacy and charity at the local level. Thank you for being such an inspiration Mary Lou!
Do you know someone who is passionate about charity and justice? Is there someone in your parish or in your life that you would like to see highlighted in "Profiles in Justice"? Let us know! We want to share their story, their faith, their hope and their love!
Local Efforts
Free Health Screenings now offered at the
Winona Community Warming Center
Health Bridges Winona is now offering a free, walk-in, preventive-health clinic once-a-week at the site of the city’s only homeless shelter, the Winona Community Warming Center!

Winona Health Bridges is open on Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Winona Community Warming Center. The entrance to the center is in the alley behind Community Bible Church at 69 East Third Street. More information is available at www.bridgeshealthwinona.org and a recent Winona Post Article.
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.
Upcoming Events

On  February 26th, March 16th, and April 17th, Minnesota Catholics will gather at the State Capitol to learn about the issues impacting our faith and daily life. You’ll have the chance to hear from and meet with legislators, pray with fellow Catholics , and  get a window into the legislative process . These are opportunities for you to share your story and
 make your voice count.
Pre-registration is required for this free event and space is limited.
A free-will offering will be accepted.
If you are in the Worthington Deanery and interested in joining a carpool on April 17th, please contact Nicole Henrichs at nhenrichs@ccsomn.org
Our speaker will be Peter Martin, the Director of the Office of Life, Marriage & Family and Faith Formation for the Diocese of Winona. 
FEED YOUR FAITH
Social Ministry Style
Join us on February 7 th to discuss

Catholic Parenting today:
Raising your children to be saints in this culture.
 
Schedule of Events
6:15 PM – Light Supper
6:45 PM – Talk Begins
7:45 PM – Q & A
8:00 PM – Conclusion

JRLC’s Day on the Hill — If not now, when?
March 13th, 2018,
programming from 8:30am - 3pm
Keynote speaker: Rabbi David Locketz

The famous Jewish religious leader, Rabbi Hillel, once asked, “If I am not for myself, then who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I? If not now, when? ” At JRLC’s Day on the Hill 2018, hundreds of people of faith will gather to ask themselves, their communities, and their representatives: If we do not work towards social justice now, when?

Join faithful advocates from across the state on March 13, 2018 to reflect on why we make our voices heard, to plan for continued actions in our home communities, and to speak with representatives at the State Capitol.

Visit us online at jrlc.org to register or e-mail Katie Powell at kpowell@jrlc.org with questions.
February 13, 2018
6:00pm - 8:00pm
(Free Meal Included)

Grand Prairie Events
105 S. Estey Street
Luverne, MN
#Luv1LuvAll
Community Conversation
The Blandin Foundation's Leaders Partnering to End Poverty (LPEP) and #Luv1LuvAll invite you to join to a Community Conversation on Feb. 13th from 6- 8 pm to discuss, as a community, ways increase opportunities for people right here in Luverne to move out of poverty.

Every voice matters!

Please register for this FREE event by contacting ATLAS of Rock County at (507) 449- 5777. Childcare and transportation assistance will be available - ask ATLAS for more details when you call to register.
Join Us for Prayers and Reflections

Feast of Saint Josephine Bakhita

Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes | Assisi Heights
Thursday, February 8, 2018 | 6:30 PM 
St. Bakhita, patroness of kidnapped and trafficked children, was abducted as a child. She experienced the meaning of slavery by living it. In memory of St. Bakhita, let us pray for the protection of all children.
Shifting Voices

February 22, 6:30-8:00pm
Assisi Heights
1001 14th Street Northwest, Rochester, MN 55901, USA Rochester 

Donations Appreciated

“The political is religious and the religious is political: Evangelical Christianity’s shifting voice in the public sphere from the Religious Right to the Evangelical Left.” Come explore how U.S. politics are changing the lens of religion, demographics and the wedge issues.

Rick Morris serves on the Just Transitions working group of the United States Climate Action Network and on the national steering committee of the Young Evangelicals for Climate Action. He holds a master's degree in divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary and works as the Sierra Club’s Clean Energy Organizer in Rochester.
February 24, 2018
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
In the Blue Gym at the YMCA in Mankato

Pedal Past Poverty is a one-day and one-of-a-kind stationary bike race that benefits our Mankato neighbors who are experiencing a temporary housing crisis and are guests of the Theresa House or Welcome Inn.

Get ready to pedal to the limit! Register here for the Partners for Affordable Housing’s Sixth Annual Pedal Past Poverty Race! 

#PedalPastPoverty
WEBINAR: Communicating Climate Change
to People of Faith
Join us on Feb. 20th at 12:00 pm for a one-hour webinar featuring renowned atmospheric scientist and Christian leader, Dr. Katharine Hayhoe and Dr. Dan DiLeo, Catholic Climate Covenant consultant and Assistant Professor at Creighton University.

In this webinar Dr. Hayhoe and Dr. DiLeo will explore:

1) How to communicate successfully about climate change within our own faith communities.
2) Key narratives/messaging strategies that work.
3) The unique challenges and strengths within the Catholic community for successful climate change communication.
Compañeros de Viaje
 (Companions on a Journey)  
St. Theodore in Albert Lea
March 10, 2018

An opportunity to prayerfully consider the issues of immigration, solidarity and our Christian responsibility. The day will include information, reflection, and shared stories, as well as time for prayer.   All are welcome .

For more information contact
Tom Parlin at tparlin@ccsomn.org
Spotlight on Resources
Looking for ways to participate? Check out these
options:

World Day of the Sick
"Feb. 11 is World Day of the Sick, an observation introduced by Pope John Paul II as a way for believers to offer prayers for those suffering from illnesses. The day coincides with the commemoration of Our Lady of Lourdes and is an important opportunity for those who serve in Catholic health ministry to reflect on caring for those who are sick as well as those who provide care to them." - The Catholic Health Association 
JRLC has released their 2018 Legislative Agenda

CLICK HERE to learn more about the work the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition will be doing for affordable housing, childcare, fees and fines in MN, and anti-bias crimes.
CRS Rice Bowl is Catholic Relief Services’ Lenten program for families and faith communities in the United States who want to put their faith into action. Through CRS Rice Bowl, participants are invited to hear stories about their brothers and sisters in need around the world, and devote their Lenten prayers, fasting and alms to change the lives of those who suffer in poverty.

Participants journey through the 40 days of Lent with a collection of daily reflections and activities included in the   CRS Rice Bowl calendar   and on the  mobile app .
This year Ash Wednesday is February 14th. Do you have what you need to make your Lenten journey a time of prayerful reflection? CRS has redesigned their 2018 CRS Rice Bowl app , to help ensure that you have time for prayer even during the busiest moments of your week. This app, available for both Android and Apple devices, puts Lent in your pocket with daily reflections, meatless meal recipes and more.

"What's more, the CRS Rice Bowl app is the perfect way to take the global Share the Journey campaign—launched by Pope Francis last September—to the next level. You'll find reflections, videos and stories that challenge you to commit your Lenten journey to serving our brothers and sisters on the move—especially the migrant and the refugee.
Lent arrives early this year—so download the app today !" - CRS
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