The latest from the Church in Rural America.



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March 15 , 2017

W
EEKLY WISDOM

" Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.  Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to  serve  and to give his life as a ransom for many."
  - Matthew 20: 26-28

capitol
New Health Care Proposals: Impacts on  Rural Communities
House Bill Puts Rural Residents at Risk

Concerns are growing about the impact of new health care legislation on rural areas, especially on older, limited-income Americans. They would see the largest increase in premiums, according to  analysis from the consulting firm, Oliver Wyman .   Their analysis reveals how rural areas could see a major increase in individual insurance premiums if there is shift from the current subsidy system to flat-sum tax credits.
 
AARP, the highly effective advocacy group for Americans over 50, has already come out in opposition . In a statement last week , AARP announced its " opposition to the House plan that would make changes to our current health care system, such as shortening the life of Medicare (and) hiking costs for those who can least afford higher insurance premiums".
 
Debate around the legislation is very contentious at the moment, so it remains to be seen what actually will happen in health care reform under the "repeal & replace" pledge by President Trump and the Republican platform.

Catholic Rural Life is following this issue closely and will keep our network informed on this. Be sure to check our website, click here.

CRL at National Farmers Union Convention
Jim Ennis Presents Vocation of the Agricultural Leader

Last week, CRL Executive Director, Jim Ennis, spoke to farm leaders from around the country at the National Farmers Union Convention in San Diego, California. Ennis's topic was  Vocation of the Agricultural Leader - Faith, Food, and the Environment, CRL's recent publication in partnership with the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, the International Catholic Rural Association, and Farmers Union Enterprises. 

"The purpose of creating the document was three-fold: 1. To affirm and honor the significant role farmers, ranchers and food leaders serve in providing food for the world; 2. To develop a resource offering key principles for agricultural leaders and showing how to apply the ethical  principles in day-to-day operations; 3. To show how faith informs ethical management decisions for current and future leaders -men and women-in the agricultural and food sectors, inspiring the next generation of leaders."

Catholic Rural Life is planning presentations around the country and organizing a national conference on the Vocation of the Agricultural Leader. For more information on this resource, please click here.

For more information about how to bring Vocation of the Agricultural Leader to your diocese or area, please contact Annie Brickweg at  Annie@CatholicRuralLife.org.

Aftermath of Wildfire in the Great Plains
Hundreds of Thousands of Acres Burned 

The deadly wildfires that raced through several states in the Great Plains in early March are now fully contained, but relief efforts for farmers and ranchers are still underway.

Besides areas in Kansas, parts of Colorado, Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle were the hardest hit by the wildfires, "which were so intense and large that they could be spotted by satellites," according to reports from The Weather Channel.
 
We continue to keep all those affected by the wildfires, and other severe weather throughout the nation, in our thoughts and prayers. We also are grateful to hear that livestock producers are continuing to come together and help one another, as they have many times in the past when weather-related crises hit.

Read more about the relief efforts and resources here.

CRL is in 48 States!
Become a Member Today

Catholic Rural Life proudly announces that we now have members in 48 states across the USA!  Our network is made up of young and old, lay and religious, rural and urban.

Join our growing group of rural life advocates and friends.  As a member, you will receive our quarterly magazine, other resources, as well as be eligible for our recognition awards.  More importantly, you can also rest in the knowledge that you are making a tangible difference in rural communities; building the Church across the countryside.  

Click here for details about becoming a member of the growing CRL family.

CATHOLIC RURAL LIFE
Our mission is dedicated to addressing and overcoming
the challenges facing rural America: social, economic and ecological.

Please support our work by becoming a member or donating today.
Contact Us

If you have a question, announcement or resource you would like to share with us, please contact   annie@catholicrurallife.org