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Diocese of Winona 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, through the feedback button at the bottom of the newsletter, or through our Facebook page with any questions or feedback.
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"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven." Matthew 5:3-12
The Beatitudes are at the heart of Jesus' teaching. "Blessed" are those who are poor, mourning, meek, hungry for righteousness, merciful, clean of heart, peacemakers, and persecuted. What does that mean today? How does that relate to social justice and Catholic Social Teaching? Over the next few months in our new series, The Beatitudes, we will look at these questions and explore these wonderful teachings.
For full article click here:
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Creating a “Culture of Encounter” in the Worthington Deanery: Reflections on St. Mary’s Immigration Retreat
“For nearly a half century, the Catholic Church in the United States has celebrated National Migration Week, which is an opportunity for the Church to reflect on the circumstances confronting migrants, including immigrants, refugees, children, and victims and survivors of human trafficking. The theme for National Migration Week 2017 draws attention to Pope Francis’ call to create a culture of encounter, and in doing so to look beyond our own needs and wants to those of others around us.” – USCCB, Creating a Culture of Encounter – National Migration Week 2017
Creating a culture of encounter, looking to those around us, confronting the circumstances of migrants, immigrants and refugees, this is exactly how St. Mary’s in Worthington kicked off National Migration week on Saturday, January 7th. Over 70 people, from all walks of life, came for a day of theological reflection, sharing of stories and experiences, prayer and adoration. The day was led by Father Callahan of St. Mary’s, Father Miguel from St. James and Lisa Kremer from Familias Juntas. Representatives were also on hand from The Immigrant Law Center of MN, the ACLU and Catholic Charities to provide information and answer questions. It was a day of community solidarity. It was a day of opening awareness to the experiences of those around us. It was a day of profound vulnerability. It was a day of hope and love. It was a day of faith.....more
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March 9, 2017 • 9 AM — 4 PM
RiverCentre/State Capitol • St. Paul, MN
Catholics at the Capitol 2017 will bring together over 1,000 Minnesota Catholics for a day of advocacy and inspiration at our State Capitol. We’ll visit lawmakers with our bishops, receive wisdom and encouragement from dynamic Church leaders, like Bishop James Conley and Gloria Purvis, and learn about the key issues facing our state, all while celebrating our faith and our shared discipleship in Christ. Together, we’ll take advantage of the opportunities in the new legislative session and address the challenges in Minnesota. Together, we’ll build a culture of life that works for the good of all.
Diocesan-sponsored transportation is available!
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Rochester Franciscans Are Hosting Numerous Events This Month:
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Restore One is a ministry based in Greenville, NC, opening shelters that offer faith-based residential recovery programs, free of cost to American boys who are survivors of domestic minor sex trafficking. Restore One’s goal is to see survivors live in complete freedom, and to generate communities that are intolerable to the problem of human trafficking and human exploitation.
Come learn about the challenges and obstacles they have faced, as well as their successes. Locally, we are challenged with similar issues. What can we learn from their experiences?
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January 19, 6:30-8:30 pm
Did you know that there is an affordability gap in Olmsted County? Did you know
that some families making $55,000 per year cannot find affordable housing? Join us for this informative presentation. Learn the facts and find out what is being proposed to remedy this situation.
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Religion’s Influence on the Issue of Suicide
January 26, 6:30-8:00pm
$10 pre-registered/pre-paid. $15 at the door.
Suicide remains a societal issue in Minnesota. It is complex, therefore difficult to understand and also difficult to prevent. It is the 9th leading cause of death in Minnesota. Religion and the practice of faith is a support to individuals considering suicide, but to others it has also been a source of division and confusion. Please join us for a rich dialogue with leaders of various faith traditions. It will be a time where questions such as: What are the beliefs of various faith groups concerning suicide? How do different religions view their role in today’s findings of neuroscience? What are the positive and negative effects of religion and suicide? Faith leaders will offer their religious understandings/doctrinal stances, and how their faith or theology interacts with suicide. There will be a time for interaction with the goal of deepening the awareness of how religions influence suicide.
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National Migration Week
January 8-14, 2017
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For National Migration Week 2017 and in support of immigrants and refugess, please send the following electronic postcard to your U.S. Senators and Members of Congress:
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Vocation of the Agricultural Leader
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Over the past three years Catholic Rural Life has worked with farmers, theologians, scientists and others involved in food production and caring for the land across the US and internationally to develop a resource entitled Vocation of the Agricultural Leader." - Cari Donaldson
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Small Group Faith Study Leadership Training
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Interested in starting/participating in a small group Catholic study with your friends, family and fellow parishioners?
Catholic Charities and Catholic Rural Life are offering small group leader training. They will come out and train leaders to lead small group studies. They can suggest study guides and materials or you can choose your own. You don't need to be an expert on any of the readings, letters or documents, but simply bring a desire and heart to learn more about the teachings of Christ and his Church. Learn together, with and from each other, as a community of believers.
Please contact Nicole Henrichs (nhenrichs@ccwinona.org)
or Deacon Chris Walchuk (
CWalchuk@ccwinona.org
) for more information.
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Mother Antonia Brenner
A twice divorced, Irish-Catholic, mother of seven living a rather luxurious lifestyle in an exclusive neighborhood of Beverly Hills (Eudist Servants Of The Eleventh Hour), is not the character description one thinks of when researching those living saintly lives. However, Mother Antonia Brenner proves that notion incorrect.
In 1977, at the age of 50, she gave up all of her fancy material possessions, her lifestyle and home and moved to Tijuana, Mexico. She was given permission to take private vows and sowed her own habit. (Yardley) In stead of a lavish apartment, she occupied a small 10x10 cell inside the prison walls. Instead of movie stars and the economic elite, her neighbors where thieves, rapists, murderers and drug dealers. Instead of living a life of material pleasure, she gave her life to serving others at La Mesa penitentiary, one of the world’s most dangerous and overcrowded prisons. (Marosi)....more
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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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