Birthright Needs Your Help. Advocacy Updates. Catholic Social Ministry Gathering. Healing the Human Heart

Office for Human Dignity

"I have come that they might have Life and life more abundantly."

John 10:10

Here are the latest opportunities

from the ministries of the Office for Human Dignity

to strengthen your faith and connect with the community.

Respect Life Ministry

Birthright Needs Your Help

In May of 1973, shortly after the legalization of abortion, a group of dedicated volunteers began Birthright with the mission of offering personal, one – on –one, confidential help to women facing unplanned pregnancies. We offer free pregnancy tests and assistance with diapers, baby and maternity clothing as well as local resources to help our clients. In these 47 years, our staff of volunteers have offered hope and support to tens of thousands of women and their children during their pregnancy and the first years of life. Many pregnant women have heroically chosen life against all odds.

For ways to help click here.

Justice & Peace Ministry

2021 Catholic Advocacy Updates

Following National Human Trafficking Day on January 11^th, we support the passage of the bipartisan EARN IT Act. Although it didn’t pass in the last Congress, we hope that the new Congress take it up a similar measure to help stop children’s sexual exploitation and trafficking online. See the U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking page for action.

The Catholic Conference of Illinois (legislative arm of the Illinois bishops) recently supported the Predatory Loan Prevention Act. It helps limit the payday and car title lenders from taking advantage of the vulnerable with excessive interest rates. The bill passed through the IL House earlier this week and through the IL Senate this week. See this fact sheet for more information!

As more federal executions sadly occurred this week, the USCCB released a statement calling on the new Congress and the incoming administration to abolish the death penalty from state and federal laws. See their statement here.

The U.S. Catholic Church has consistently sought immigration policies that adhere to respecting all humans’ sacred dignity. The USCCB’s immigration advocacy team released documents for legislative priority that we will follow in our advocacy.

Join the Catholic Climate Covenant for their webinar on Laudato Si' Focus on Environmental Justice. More information and registration here.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB ) annual conference, the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering, is virtual this year! We highly recommend attending for great speakers, helpful information, and practical action steps. Additionally, our Director of Programs, Kayla, is presenting on the Laudato Si' Panel. More information and registration here.

We are coordinating virtual legislative visits in February and March 2021. Contact Kayla is you're interested in speaking with your elected officials. One of our talking points will be the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (EICDA). Read this letter for more information and action steps.

Missions

Healing - the Heart of Being Human

By: Nancy Schramm, osf

On New Year’s Eve I was at the home of a very dear friend of mine and her sisters enjoying the ringing in of the new year and praying with confidence that 2021 had to be better than 2020. After her sisters left, we stayed up to chat a bit, but soon we both realized it was time to place 2020 in the hands of God and 2021 in the heart of God, and off to bed I went. I thought erroneously that I would fall asleep quickly, but that didn’t happen. Instead I was overcome by the Spirit and my mantra for the year came to me immediately, “dedicate your being to the healing of the world.” A spiritual, emotional, physical, mental, social, political and interior healing of the world, not just for our country, but for the human family. This is not my resolution for the New Year, but my mission.

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