 |
| |
|
Diocese of Winona Social Concerns
|
|
|
"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.
|
|
"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. This month we will look at the second Beatitude, "Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted," and reflect on those words in our current age.
The Beatitudes and Social Justice
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted
(Matthew 5: 4)
Our culture sees grieving as a problem to be solved, an embarrassing inconvenience which healthy people put behind them as quickly as possible. Grief is painful, messy, and uncomfortable. It does not fit our lifestyle.
Jesus begs to differ. He has the audacity to say that those who mourn are blessed
...more.
|
|
|
Newly formed Saint John XIII Congregation of the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Waseca County
This group is in its beginning stages. Its purpose is threefold.
1. To call people to pray together.
2. To build community
3. To serve those who are in need in the community.
Those who are members in Rochester and Owatanna speak of the surprising joy and meaning they gain from being a part of this faith community.
To sign up contact any Catholic Parish in Waseca, New Richland, Waldorf or Janesville.
We hope that all of Waseca County will benefit from this new organization.
|
|
The program opened its doors on January 7, 2017 with this year's winter season running through
March 31, 2017
The Winona Community Warming Center will provide a safe, warm overnight stay every night from November through to March. In addition, snacks and coffee will be available for guests and other personal care items will be provided when available.
Guests can be checked in from 9:00 to 10:00 pm and can stay until 7:00 am in the morning. After 10:00 pm, guests can be admitted from a referral source from other agencies in Winona County.
The center is a program of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Winona. For More information please see:
http://www.winonawarmingcenter.org/
|
|
|
March 9, 2017 • 9 AM — 4 PM
RiverCentre/State Capitol • St. Paul, MN
Our state faces real challenges. Assisted suicide threatens the vulnerable. Underprivileged kids are stuck in failing schools. And too many families are trapped in poverty.
Christ asks us to boldly step into the public square to protect life and human dignity.
Will you answer the call?
Join Minnesota’s bishops, dynamic Church leaders, and 1,000+ Catholics from across the state for Catholics at the Capitol, a day of inspiration and advocacy at our State Capitol.
- Be INSPIRED by dynamic Church leaders and the power of prayer
- Be INFORMED about the critical issues impacting life and human dignity in Minnesota
- Be EQUIPPED to effectively engage your elected officials
Diocesan-sponsored transportation is available!
Contact Deacon Chris Walchuk (cwalchuk@ccwinona.org / 507-469-5563) for transportation details and to sign up to reserve your spot on the bus.
Legislators pay attention to their constituents. We will impact the process.
This is our moment. Let’s go!
|
|
|
"
Join us for our 2017 JRLC Day on the Hill
on February 23
, when we'll be
back at the RiverCentre and the newly-renovated Capitol.
Meet others from around the state who are called to advocacy through faith as we inspire one another, learn about important safety-net programs, and speak at the Capitol as stewards for a state that reflects our moral and spiritual beliefs: that all Minnesota families should have the opportunity to thrive."
|
|
|
|
|
Immigrant Law Center Presentations at St. Mary's in Worthington
|
|
|
Presentations for the Immigrant Community on what to prepare for under the new administration, constitutional rights, updates on DACA, state legislative initiatives, and more by Executive Director and Worthington Staff Attorney of the
Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota
Sunday February 12th, 2017
12:30-2:00 and 3:30-5:00
(same presentation, two options of time frames)
at St. Mary’s School
8th Ave & 12th St, Worthington
Presentations will be in Spanish but interpretation to English with
|
|
|
Presentaciones para la comunidad inmigrante
para compartir información acerca de como estar preparado para la nueva administración federal, sus derechos constitucionales, lo que se sabe de DACA, iniciativas legislativas estatales, etc por el director ejecutivo y la abogada de Worthington de la Oficina Legal/Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota
Domingo 12 de febrero de 2017
12:30-2 y 3:30-5
(la misma presentación, pero dos opciones de horario)
en la escuela de St. Mary’s
en la avenida 8 con la calle 12, Worthington
La información será presentada en español pero habrán audífonos con traducción al ingles disponibles
Esperamos verlos allí!
|
|
Join St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Luverne on Tuesday February 21st, 2017 at 7 PM for a Community Night of Prayer in Solidarity with Immigrants, Refugees and All People of Good Will. We will pray for justice, healing and peace.
In the midst of so much noise, loss of trust, fear and suspicion, we will offer time for lots of quiet, reflective silence and music with scripture, brief messages and intercessions.
|
|
|
|
|
February 25, 2017 - 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
In the Blue Gym at the YMCA in Mankato
|
Join Partners for Affordable Housing in Mankato as they host their
5th annual Pedal Past Poverty
.
This is a one-day and one-of-a-kind stationary bike race. This fun and energetic fundraiser is their signature event.
Last year, over 500 riders participated to raise funds for services & support of those in the Theresa House, Welcome Inn and transitional housing programs!
|
|
|
|
|
Interested in learning more about the bishops' Positions on Key Legislation? The Minnesota Catholic Conference keeps a regularly-updated list of bills that they support and oppose to help you stay informed.
They also provide the 2017-18 Legislative Principles which explain the principles and Catholic social teaching tenets guiding their advocacy at the Capitol.
|
|
|
|
Small Group Faith Study Leadership Training
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
"Catholic Covenant Energies is a brand new program that provides an opportunity to respond more fully to the challenges of
Laudato Si'
by working with Catholic dioceses and other entities to dramatically reduce energy use in Catholic-owned buildings. Consider this: there are over 70,000 buildings owned by the Catholic Church in the United States. What a witness it would be to parishioners, students, and those we serve to see that by reducing energy consumption in those buildings we can to put those savings toward even more efficiency and conservation projects and important mission activities, and to see this activity as a way to honor the Creator by caring for creation and caring for the poor!"
To find out more about Catholic Covenant Energies and other Catholic Climate Covenant programs check out their website!
|
|
|
|
|
A Catholic nun who lived for over 40 years as a missionary, put the needs of the poor and vulnerable above her own comfort and safety and died clutching the Bible with the words of Jesus on her lips. This sounds like the description of a saint of old, but it is actually the life lived by Sister Dorothy Stang.
Sister Dorothy Stang grew up in Dayton, Ohio in a large Catholic family.....more
|
|
|
|
|
February Extra:
Looking for a little more beatific inspiration this month? Check out Pope Francis'
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
