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: Fair Trade in Winona
Ethical Trade also known as Fair Trade has been in existence for many years with organizations like SERRV and 10,000 Villages functioning for more than 50 years. Catholic Relief Services began a collaboration with SERRV more than 20 years ago, which has expanded their Ethical Trade program.
 
So what is Ethical (Fair) Trade? To put it simply, it is an effort to give poor people in developing nations a fair price for the quality products they produce. In the past they worked for large corporations or local buyers sometimes referred to as coyotes, receiving subsistence wages while their products were marketed for substantial profit. Ethical Trade endeavors are working to change the system giving these poor people a hand up rather than a hand out.
 
While organizations like CRS work on a national scale, efforts by local/regional people and groups also make a difference. Winona resident John Kennedy traveled to Honduras, Central America in 2003, to see first-hand the work of his sister, Mary Kennedy, SSND (School Sisters of Notre Dame) .....Full Article 
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
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
Seeking the Common Good
Join us for a morning of reflection on living the Gospel today beyond our parish borders.

Saturday, January 20, 2018
8:30 – 1 PM (Lunch included)
Holy Spirit Church,
5455 50 th Ave NW, Rochester
Free will offering.

Registration requested by Jan. 16.
Please call HS at 280-0638
 or Pax Christi at 282-8542
or email: hspaxsocialjustice@gmail.com

Sponsored by the Social Justice committees of Holy Spirit and Pax Christi
Our facilitator will be Fr. Gregory Leif, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Waseca.
January 15, 2018
6:00pm - 8:00pm
(With Dinner and Dessert served
throughout the evening )

Grand Prairie Events
105 S. Estey Street
Luverne, MN
Poverty: What’s YOUR Baggage Dinner Theater
#Luv1LuvAll invites you to a free dinner theater performance of“ Poverty: What’s YOUR Baggage?" a play originally produced and performed by Amy Hunter and the Lamplighter Community Theater of Staples, Minnesota. Amy has worked with the Green Earth Players to bring the performance to Luverne, which will explore how the issue of poverty impacts our residents and how we can remove assumptions to help move people out of it.

Please register for the 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.

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.
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


Save the Date: March 13, 2018
 
Joint Religious Legislative Coalition's Day on the Hill is their annual policy briefing and lobby day.Each year the JRLC chooses 4-6 issues that participants will focus on as they go to lobby their elected representatives.
Participants are briefed on the JRLC issues that are being debated and voted on at our State Capitol.

  The event includes prayer, issue briefings, time to meet with your district and opportunities to take action. This event is open to everyone, no previous knowledge necessary.Registration is required.

Never been and want more info? Check out the JRLC FAQ page!

Stay tuned for more information about how and where to register!

January 24, 6:30-8:30pm
Assisi Hieghts, 1001 14th Street Northwest, Rochester
Donations Appreciated

Refugees: Acquainted with ‘the night’… Struggle with the thorny reality of human suffering…

Faced with catastrophic limitations, all refuges are in search for the door called "home!"

This is a dramatic work about the struggle refugees face, as portrayed by RCTC's drama department under the direction of Jerry Casper. A panel discussion follows to explore the issues and stories of refugees and how you may be of assistance.
Intersection of Faith and Culture

January 30, 6:30-8:00pm
Assisi Hieghts, 1001 14th Street Northwest, Rochester
Donations Appreciated

This two session series of “Standing Together” will bring together Muslims and Christians to explore a variety of traditions about each other’s faith practices. The sessions will observe the basic guidelines for interfaith dialogue.
Facilitated by Sister Briana McCarthy, OSF, a Christian, and Rashed Fehmi, Muslim, former chair of MERG.
Spotlight on Resources
Pope Francis challenges us all to live in solidarity with the poor. This month, during Poverty Awareness Month, join the US Bishops , The Catholic Campaign for Human Development, and your community of fellow Catholics in taking up that call!
Upcoming Catholic Charities USA Webinars
Advocating for Immigrant and Refugee Rights Webinar

Now more than ever, immigrants and refugees need champions to advocate for their rights and uphold their inherent human dignity. This webinar will offer practical tips about organizing an advocacy event in your community and state. Join our panelists to explore practical ideas about determining the purpose of the event, logistics to consider such as: who should be at the event, developing goals, deciding on a date, enlisting a team, agenda, and among other details.

Date and Time: Tue, Jan 23, 2018 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST. Register here .
Share the Journey Campaign: Highlights and Reflections Webinar

The Share the Journey global migration campaign has made great strides since Pope Francis launched this two-year initiative last September under the leadership of Caritas Internationalis and its worldwide member agencies, including Catholic Charities USA, Catholic Relief Services, and USCCB Migration and Refugee Services here in the US. The US Bishops and dioceses across the country have embraced the Holy Father’s vision and opportunities the campaign presents to call attention to and inspire action on behalf migrants and refugees. This webinar will highlight the efforts of several bishops, Catholic Charities agencies, parishes, among others, to give life to the campaign and continue to carry the message into the future.

Date: Friday, January 12, 2018 at 2:00 PM EST. Register here.
Those Blessed Among Us:
Blessed Chiara Luce Badano: A Legacy of Love

Chiara Luce Bandano was born in 1971 in Sassello, Italy to Ruggero and Teresa Badano (RCL Benziger, 2017). As she grew her love for God and life were evident in all that she did. She loved tennis, swimming and mountain climbing and had lots of friends (Real Life Catholic, 2013). From the outside she looked like an average teen. She wasn’t moving mountains but she was undeniably extraordinary in the small everyday actions.

Even in her youth “ Chiara seemed aware of the needs of others. She would sort through her toys to give some to poor children, and she would never give away just the old or broken ones. She invited less-fortunate people into the family’s home for holidays and visited the elderly at a retirement center. When other children were sick and confined to bed, Chiara visited them. She loved the stories of the Gospel and loved to attend Mass….. But when asked, she said she did not try to bring Jesus to her friends with words. She tried to bring Jesus to them with her example and how she lived her life.” (RCL Benziger, 2017) ....Full Article.
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