|
The latest from the Church in Rural America.
|
|
|
W
EEKLY WISDOM
"
I like to think of Joseph as the guardian of weaknesses, of our weaknesses too: he is able to give birth to so many beautiful things from our weaknesses, even from our sins. Today I want to ask, grant to all of us the ability to dream, that when we dream great things, beautiful things, we might draw near to the dream of God, the things God dreams about us."
- Pope Francis, Feast of St. Joseph 3/20/17
|
|
 World Water Day: Pope Francis Calls for "Watershed" Dialogue
Replenish "Water Values" for a Thirsty World
|
Most Reverend John Jeremiah McRaith, 1934-2017
Former CRL Director & Bishop of Owensboro, KY
Most Rev. John J. McRaith, Bishop of the Diocese of Owensboro
from 1982 to 2009, died of natural causes this past Sunday at the age of 82.
McRaith served as co-director of Catholic Rural Life alongside Monsignor John Weber from 1972 to 1975; he became sole executive director from 1975 to 1978. We remember him for his devoted work to strengthen CRL as an effective organization: more active diocesan directors and increasing membership. He inspired many during those years, vividly showing that food, land and other natural resources are gifts from a loving Creator and must meet the needs of all.
McRaith often hosted dinners in rural areas, where one special attraction was always present. As current Bishop of Owensboro, William F. Medley, describes it: "He hooked up the wagon to his John Deere tractor and took whoever was there on hayrides through those country roads in the county."
Fittingly, a tractor-pulled wagon will process with the body of Bishop John McRaith to St. Stephen Cathedral on Thursday, Mar. 23. After an all-night vigil, a Funeral Mass will take place at 11 am, followed by burial at Mount Saint Joseph in Maple Mount, Kentucky. Expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of donations to the Diocese of Owensboro in support of charitable work across the diocese and to Catholic Relief Services.
|
President's Budget for Rural America
Proposed White House Budget Could Hurt Rural Areas
Last week, President Trump released his inaugural budget request for the coming fiscal year beginning Oct. 1. Unlike past detailed budget proposals typically issued by the White House, Trump's budget was in the form of bullet points. Widespread coverage was given to the proposed major increases in defense spending and significant cuts to domestic and international aid programs, including deep cuts to USDA programs.
Catholic Rural Life intends to join with those who will make noise on behalf of rural America, especially for farm families. Our priorities include support for sustainable agriculture programs, working lands conservation, rural economic development, and assistance for military veterans and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
This is a call to our members to express their concerns about the budget to their respective representatives in Congress.
Read more about what agriculture, faith, and advocacy groups are saying in our recent blog post by
clicking here
.
|
Opioid Epidemic Haunts Rural America
The New York Times recently published a major article about the deadly opioid epidemic that has taken a harsh hold in rural America. Here at Catholic Rural Life, we want to continue to alert our network to this dilemma, especially to ask for prayers and for raising greater awareness in your parishes and communities.
The
New York Times article (Mar. 12)
recounts how a family farm in Blancherster, Ohio, was ravaged by heroin. Several other news sources also carried the story of Roger Winemiller and his three grown children - two who overdosed and died and a third undergoing treatment for drug addiction.
As the New York Times vividly described it: "Overdoses are churning through agricultural pockets of America like a plow through soil, tearing at rural communities and posing a new threat to the generational ties of families like the Winemillers."
We encourage people to seek assistance for opioid use disorder; this includes educating people on resources.
The Rural Health Information Hub is one such resource.
As best you can, open the conversation on this topic. Greater awareness and discussion on what is happening in your rural community will be for the better. CRL will continue to inform the public of the current opioid epidemic and the continued efforts to combat it in rural America.
|
|
|
STAY CONNECTED
Follow us on social media to receive CRL updates, spiritual reflections,
and the latest on the
issues affecting Catholics in rural America.
|
|
|
|
|
