Five Things You Need to Know about Poverty in America
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[January 16, 2018]
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<p>If Pope Francis has taught us anything during these last four years (and I would submit that he has taught us quite a few things), it is that “poverty in the world is a scandal.” It is a cry “in a world where there is so much wealth, so many resources to feed everyone.” It is especially a scandal in a nation like the United States, which, despite possessing more than enough money to end material poverty, consistently exhibits one of the highest rates of poverty in the “developed” world.</p>
<p>Recently released to little fanfare, the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2016 report on Income and Poverty in the United States reveals that 40.6 million, or 12.7 percent, of Americans live in poverty.</p>
<p>After spending several days pouring over this report and its close relative, The Supplemental Poverty Measure, I’d like to share five things that you should know about poverty in the United States.</p>
<p><a href="https://togoforth.org/2018/01/03/five-things-you-need-to-know-about-poverty-in-america/">READ MORE >></a></p>
<p>Recently released to little fanfare, the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2016 report on Income and Poverty in the United States reveals that 40.6 million, or 12.7 percent, of Americans live in poverty.</p>
<p>After spending several days pouring over this report and its close relative, The Supplemental Poverty Measure, I’d like to share five things that you should know about poverty in the United States.</p>
<p><a href="https://togoforth.org/2018/01/03/five-things-you-need-to-know-about-poverty-in-america/">READ MORE >></a></p>
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National Migration Week Toolkit
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[January 10, 2018]
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For nearly a half century, the Catholic Church in the United States has celebrated National Migration Week, which is an opportunity for the Church to reflect on the circumstances confronting migrants, including immigrants, refugees, children, and victims and survivors of human trafficking. The theme for National Migration Week 2017 draws attention to the fact that each of our families have a migration story, some recent and others in the distant past. Regardless of where we are and where we came from, we remain part of the human family and are called to live in solidarity with one another.</div>
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Unfortunately, in our contemporary culture we often fail to encounter migrants as persons, and instead look at them as unknown others, if we even notice them at all. We do not take the time to engage migrants in a meaningful way, as fellow children of God, but remain aloof to their presence and suspicious or fearful of them. During this National Migration Week, let us all take the opportunity to engage migrants as community members, neighbors, and friends.</div>
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<a href="https://justiceforimmigrants.org/2016site/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/2018-NMW-Final-Toolkit.pdf">READ MORE >></a></div>
For nearly a half century, the Catholic Church in the United States has celebrated National Migration Week, which is an opportunity for the Church to reflect on the circumstances confronting migrants, including immigrants, refugees, children, and victims and survivors of human trafficking. The theme for National Migration Week 2017 draws attention to the fact that each of our families have a migration story, some recent and others in the distant past. Regardless of where we are and where we came from, we remain part of the human family and are called to live in solidarity with one another.</div>
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Unfortunately, in our contemporary culture we often fail to encounter migrants as persons, and instead look at them as unknown others, if we even notice them at all. We do not take the time to engage migrants in a meaningful way, as fellow children of God, but remain aloof to their presence and suspicious or fearful of them. During this National Migration Week, let us all take the opportunity to engage migrants as community members, neighbors, and friends.</div>
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<a href="https://justiceforimmigrants.org/2016site/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/2018-NMW-Final-Toolkit.pdf">READ MORE >></a></div>
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January is Poverty Awareness Month
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[January 9, 2018]
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USCCB</div>
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During Poverty Awareness Month, join the U.S. Bishops, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development and the Catholic community in the United States in taking up Pope Francis' challenge to live in solidarity with the poor! In addition to the calendar below, longer daily reflections are also available. Share this liturgical aid with parish leaders to incorporate Poverty Awareness Month into the liturgy. All of these resources are also en Español. You can sign up. . . to have the daily reflections emailed to you during Poverty Awareness Month!</div>
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<a href="http://www.usccb.org/about/catholic-campaign-for-human-development/poverty-education/poverty-awareness-month.cfm">READ MORE >></a></div>
USCCB</div>
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During Poverty Awareness Month, join the U.S. Bishops, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development and the Catholic community in the United States in taking up Pope Francis' challenge to live in solidarity with the poor! In addition to the calendar below, longer daily reflections are also available. Share this liturgical aid with parish leaders to incorporate Poverty Awareness Month into the liturgy. All of these resources are also en Español. You can sign up. . . to have the daily reflections emailed to you during Poverty Awareness Month!</div>
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<a href="http://www.usccb.org/about/catholic-campaign-for-human-development/poverty-education/poverty-awareness-month.cfm">READ MORE >></a></div>
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State of Texas Children 2017 Child Well-Being in the Rio Grande Valley
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[November 30, 2017]
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<p>We all want a bright future for our children, and we want the Rio Grande Valley to be a place that makes that bright future possible. As the area’s economy and population grow, its future depends on the health, education, and financial security of all its children – across neighborhood, income, immigration status, race and ethnicity.1</p>
<p>Located on the U.S.-Mexico border, the Rio Grande Valley is a place of rich culture and possibilities. However, on many indicators of children’s health, education and financial security, the Valley is not doing as well as Texas overall, revealing a pattern of disinvestment in children’s futures.</p>
<p>In order to “raise the bar” in child well-being for all Rio Grande Valley area kids, we have to “close the gaps” in outcomes between children. Doing this means intentionally breaking down obstacles and creating equitable opportunities for good health, an excellent education, and economic security for every child. This is the only way to ensure the Rio Grande Valley’s economic future is strong for both businesses and families.</p>
<p>This Rio Grande Valley report is part of a larger series of reports in the Texas Kids Count project that focuses on equity in child well-being across Texas and in several of its major metro areas. See more at CPPP.org/kidscount.</p>
<p><a href="https://forabettertexas.org/images/2017_SOTC_RioGrande.pdf">READ MORE >></a></p>
<p>Located on the U.S.-Mexico border, the Rio Grande Valley is a place of rich culture and possibilities. However, on many indicators of children’s health, education and financial security, the Valley is not doing as well as Texas overall, revealing a pattern of disinvestment in children’s futures.</p>
<p>In order to “raise the bar” in child well-being for all Rio Grande Valley area kids, we have to “close the gaps” in outcomes between children. Doing this means intentionally breaking down obstacles and creating equitable opportunities for good health, an excellent education, and economic security for every child. This is the only way to ensure the Rio Grande Valley’s economic future is strong for both businesses and families.</p>
<p>This Rio Grande Valley report is part of a larger series of reports in the Texas Kids Count project that focuses on equity in child well-being across Texas and in several of its major metro areas. See more at CPPP.org/kidscount.</p>
<p><a href="https://forabettertexas.org/images/2017_SOTC_RioGrande.pdf">READ MORE >></a></p>
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Symposium for Systemic Change Oct. 20 Baton Rouge
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[October 20, 2017]
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<p>The annual Symposium on Systemic Change will be held this year at the Bishop Tracy Center, 1800 South Acadian Thruway in Baton Rouge this Friday, October 20, 2017, from 9 am to 2:30pm.</p>
<p>Rotating Workshops will engage the following topics:</p>
<p>Respect Life, Human Trafficking and Immigration</p>
<p>Faithful Citizenship: Voting your Conscience</p>
<p>Criminal Justice Reform in Louisiana</p>
<p>In addition, Rob Tasman, Executive Director of the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops, will provide a Legislative Agenda and Report.</p>
<p>Conference sponsors include the Archdiocese of New Orleans, Diocese of Baton Rouge, Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans, and Catholic Charities Diocese of Baton Rouge.</p>
<p>Pre-registration is preferred and can be accomplished by using the following link.</p>
<p><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/18FIFwt2WrxiFhT0lMZjTF7DUjh8Wb6hy_HkmPG2OnrY/viewform?edit_requested=true">https://docs.google.com/forms/d/18FIFwt2WrxiFhT0lMZjTF7DUjh8Wb6hy_HkmPG2OnrY/viewform?edit_requested=true</a></p>
<p>There is no fee to attend this conference.</p>
<p>Come join other people of faith and pray, learn, and work together to create a better, more just Louisiana!</p>
<p>If you have any questions about the Symposium for Systemic Change please contact Angela Wattler at 985-966-9846 or SystemicChangeSymposium@gmail.com.</p>
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<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>Rotating Workshops will engage the following topics:</p>
<p>Respect Life, Human Trafficking and Immigration</p>
<p>Faithful Citizenship: Voting your Conscience</p>
<p>Criminal Justice Reform in Louisiana</p>
<p>In addition, Rob Tasman, Executive Director of the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops, will provide a Legislative Agenda and Report.</p>
<p>Conference sponsors include the Archdiocese of New Orleans, Diocese of Baton Rouge, Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans, and Catholic Charities Diocese of Baton Rouge.</p>
<p>Pre-registration is preferred and can be accomplished by using the following link.</p>
<p><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/18FIFwt2WrxiFhT0lMZjTF7DUjh8Wb6hy_HkmPG2OnrY/viewform?edit_requested=true">https://docs.google.com/forms/d/18FIFwt2WrxiFhT0lMZjTF7DUjh8Wb6hy_HkmPG2OnrY/viewform?edit_requested=true</a></p>
<p>There is no fee to attend this conference.</p>
<p>Come join other people of faith and pray, learn, and work together to create a better, more just Louisiana!</p>
<p>If you have any questions about the Symposium for Systemic Change please contact Angela Wattler at 985-966-9846 or SystemicChangeSymposium@gmail.com.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
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Expert: Executive order could disproportionately affect Louisianans
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[October 12, 2017]
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<p>WVUE</p>
<p>President Trump's latest executive order is aimed at undoing key parts of the Affordable Care Act. The White House calls it a way to give Americans more choice and greater access to lower-priced plans. Yet, experts say not everyone will benefit.</p>
<p>"This is something millions and millions will be signing up for and they're going to be very happy. This will be great healthcare," said President Trump just before he signed the executive order.</p>
<p>It comes after multiple failed attempts from Congress to pass a healthcare reform bill. The executive order allows people to purchase insurance across state lines and aims to expand access to small business plans, for example. Plus, it looks to ease restrictions on some short-term policies.</p>
<p>"The president's trying to improve the ability of a family to cover themselves. That's a good thing," said Republican Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy (R).</p>
<p>Lawmakers like Cassidy are hailing the executive order as a victory.</p>
<p>"Folks are paying $40,000 a year for health insurance. You cannot afford that if you're a middle-class family," Cassidy said.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.fox8live.com/story/36587200/expert-executive-order-could-disproportionately-affect-louisianans">WATCH HERE >></a></p>
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<p>President Trump's latest executive order is aimed at undoing key parts of the Affordable Care Act. The White House calls it a way to give Americans more choice and greater access to lower-priced plans. Yet, experts say not everyone will benefit.</p>
<p>"This is something millions and millions will be signing up for and they're going to be very happy. This will be great healthcare," said President Trump just before he signed the executive order.</p>
<p>It comes after multiple failed attempts from Congress to pass a healthcare reform bill. The executive order allows people to purchase insurance across state lines and aims to expand access to small business plans, for example. Plus, it looks to ease restrictions on some short-term policies.</p>
<p>"The president's trying to improve the ability of a family to cover themselves. That's a good thing," said Republican Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy (R).</p>
<p>Lawmakers like Cassidy are hailing the executive order as a victory.</p>
<p>"Folks are paying $40,000 a year for health insurance. You cannot afford that if you're a middle-class family," Cassidy said.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.fox8live.com/story/36587200/expert-executive-order-could-disproportionately-affect-louisianans">WATCH HERE >></a></p>
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How does Trump’s tax plan line up with Catholic social teaching?
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[October 05, 2017]
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<p>by Kevin Clarke </p>
<p>Criticism has trailed the recent White House proposal for cuts in corporate and personal income tax rates, but few have been as direct as Jesuit Father Fred Kammer’s assessment. “The whole thing is basically—what can I call it?—a scam to pay back wealthy donors with more tax breaks,” he says. The plan has been promoted by the White House as a reform meant to simplify the tax code and lower the burden on working and middle-class taxpayers.</p>
<p>Father Kammer is convinced the measures proposed by the president will not achieve the advertised outcome. Analysts at the Tax Policy Center, a joint project of the Brookings Institution and the Urban Institute, agree, refusing even to refer to the Trump plan as a tax reform, but just a new round of tax breaks.</p>
<p>Referring to the center’s analysis, Father Kammer points out that the lion’s share of the tax relief offered by the plan will be consumed by the nation’s top 1 percent—the same folks who have already enjoyed previous and substantial rounds of tax reductions under the Reagan and Bush administrations. Those cuts had been similarly promoted as tax “reforms” aimed at the middle class.</p>
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<a href="https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2017/10/05/how-does-trumps-tax-plan-line-catholic-social-teaching?utm_content=buffer4bc65&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer">READ MORE >></a></div>
<p>Criticism has trailed the recent White House proposal for cuts in corporate and personal income tax rates, but few have been as direct as Jesuit Father Fred Kammer’s assessment. “The whole thing is basically—what can I call it?—a scam to pay back wealthy donors with more tax breaks,” he says. The plan has been promoted by the White House as a reform meant to simplify the tax code and lower the burden on working and middle-class taxpayers.</p>
<p>Father Kammer is convinced the measures proposed by the president will not achieve the advertised outcome. Analysts at the Tax Policy Center, a joint project of the Brookings Institution and the Urban Institute, agree, refusing even to refer to the Trump plan as a tax reform, but just a new round of tax breaks.</p>
<p>Referring to the center’s analysis, Father Kammer points out that the lion’s share of the tax relief offered by the plan will be consumed by the nation’s top 1 percent—the same folks who have already enjoyed previous and substantial rounds of tax reductions under the Reagan and Bush administrations. Those cuts had been similarly promoted as tax “reforms” aimed at the middle class.</p>
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<a href="https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2017/10/05/how-does-trumps-tax-plan-line-catholic-social-teaching?utm_content=buffer4bc65&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer">READ MORE >></a></div>
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'We feel attacked': Protesters decry immigration enforcement tactics at Gardendale court
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[September 15, 2017]
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<p>by Connor Sheets</p>
<p>Alabama.com</p>
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Gardendale has swiftly emerged as ground zero for aggressive immigration enforcement in Alabama, according to local advocacy groups.</div>
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Police officers, through the city's municipal court, have since June reportedly detained numerous Latinos and turned them over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a practice that was largely unheard of until recently of and that remains rare but increasingly common across the nation, advocates say.</div>
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On Friday morning, representatives of two Birmingham-area immigrant rights groups staged a protest outside Gardendale Municipal Court aimed at raising awareness of the immigration enforcement tactics that have been deployed there, which they describe as egregious and discriminatory.</div>
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The action featured speeches by representatives of the Adelante Alabama Worker Center and the Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice, as well as impassioned pleas for justice from area residents who have been impacted by the tactics.</div>
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"We want the police here in Gardendale to stop working with ICE," local Latino resident Flores Vega said through a translator. "I'm a worried mother. My son came to court here - he's a U.S. citizen - and they turned him right over to ICE ... We feel scared, we feel attacked and we want this to stop now."</div>
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<a href="http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2017/09/we_feel_attacked_protesters_de.html">READ MORE >></a></div>
<p>Alabama.com</p>
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Gardendale has swiftly emerged as ground zero for aggressive immigration enforcement in Alabama, according to local advocacy groups.</div>
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Police officers, through the city's municipal court, have since June reportedly detained numerous Latinos and turned them over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a practice that was largely unheard of until recently of and that remains rare but increasingly common across the nation, advocates say.</div>
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On Friday morning, representatives of two Birmingham-area immigrant rights groups staged a protest outside Gardendale Municipal Court aimed at raising awareness of the immigration enforcement tactics that have been deployed there, which they describe as egregious and discriminatory.</div>
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The action featured speeches by representatives of the Adelante Alabama Worker Center and the Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice, as well as impassioned pleas for justice from area residents who have been impacted by the tactics.</div>
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"We want the police here in Gardendale to stop working with ICE," local Latino resident Flores Vega said through a translator. "I'm a worried mother. My son came to court here - he's a U.S. citizen - and they turned him right over to ICE ... We feel scared, we feel attacked and we want this to stop now."</div>
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<a href="http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2017/09/we_feel_attacked_protesters_de.html">READ MORE >></a></div>
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SNAP Helps 1 in 8 Workers in Louisiana Put Food on the Table
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[September 12, 2017]
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<p>Center on Budget and Policy Priorities </p>
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<p>SNAP plays a crucial role in helping workers in low-paying jobs afford a basic diet in Louisiana. Roughly 238,500 Louisianian workers live in households that participated in SNAP in the last year, Census data show.</p>
<p>Millions of Americans work in jobs with low wages, inconsistent schedules, and no benefits such as paid sick leave — all of which contribute to high turnover and spells of unemployment. Many of these workers get help putting food on the table through SNAP.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.cbpp.org/snap-helps-workers-put-food-on-the-table?utm_source=CBPP+Email+Updates&utm_campaign=edea5c0b4d-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_09_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_ee3f6da374-edea5c0b4d-50655441#Louisiana">READ MORE >></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>SNAP plays a crucial role in helping workers in low-paying jobs afford a basic diet in Louisiana. Roughly 238,500 Louisianian workers live in households that participated in SNAP in the last year, Census data show.</p>
<p>Millions of Americans work in jobs with low wages, inconsistent schedules, and no benefits such as paid sick leave — all of which contribute to high turnover and spells of unemployment. Many of these workers get help putting food on the table through SNAP.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.cbpp.org/snap-helps-workers-put-food-on-the-table?utm_source=CBPP+Email+Updates&utm_campaign=edea5c0b4d-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_09_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_ee3f6da374-edea5c0b4d-50655441#Louisiana">READ MORE >></a></p>
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USCCB Labor Day Statement 2017
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[September 4, 2017]
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<div>
Most Reverend Frank J. Dewane</div>
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Bishop of Venice</div>
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Chairman of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development</div>
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United States Conference of Catholic Bishops</div>
<p>This Labor Day, we find ourselves at a time of kairos, a moment of crisis as well as opportunity. Over the past year, Pope Francis has drawn our attention to problems in the world of work that seek to undermine our understanding of the dignity of the person and threaten the stability of society. The Pope has also called us to action based on the truth about the nature of work which is intended to support the flourishing of the family. As the Holy Father recently remarked, work "comes from the first command that God gave to Adam . . . . There has always been friendship between the Church and work, starting with a working Jesus. Where there is a worker, there is the interest and the gaze of love of the Lord and of the Church."1 </p>
<p>What does our Lord's "gaze of love" see today? Surely he honors the parents and grandparents who offer their work as "prayers said with the hands"2 for their family and future. In turn, we thank God for the vocation of work, which, when healthy, "anoints" with dignity, helps children grow into adults, and strengthens cooperation across all people in our society.3 "Brother work," in Pope Francis' words, is formational and sustaining for every human life and community, and is essential to our faith.4 </p>
<p>God's "gaze of love" also receives all those who are struggling with work. A lack of work can be devastating to the human person, and it can undermine solidarity and destabilize society. "[T]he entire social pact is built around work," Pope Francis told a gathering of factory workers in Genoa. "This is the core of the problem. Because when you do not work, or you work badly, you work little or you work too much, it is democracy that enters into crisis, and the entire social pact."5 </p>
<p><a href="http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/labor-employment/labor-day-statement-2017.cfm">READ MORE >></a></p>
Most Reverend Frank J. Dewane</div>
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Bishop of Venice</div>
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Chairman of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development</div>
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United States Conference of Catholic Bishops</div>
<p>This Labor Day, we find ourselves at a time of kairos, a moment of crisis as well as opportunity. Over the past year, Pope Francis has drawn our attention to problems in the world of work that seek to undermine our understanding of the dignity of the person and threaten the stability of society. The Pope has also called us to action based on the truth about the nature of work which is intended to support the flourishing of the family. As the Holy Father recently remarked, work "comes from the first command that God gave to Adam . . . . There has always been friendship between the Church and work, starting with a working Jesus. Where there is a worker, there is the interest and the gaze of love of the Lord and of the Church."1 </p>
<p>What does our Lord's "gaze of love" see today? Surely he honors the parents and grandparents who offer their work as "prayers said with the hands"2 for their family and future. In turn, we thank God for the vocation of work, which, when healthy, "anoints" with dignity, helps children grow into adults, and strengthens cooperation across all people in our society.3 "Brother work," in Pope Francis' words, is formational and sustaining for every human life and community, and is essential to our faith.4 </p>
<p>God's "gaze of love" also receives all those who are struggling with work. A lack of work can be devastating to the human person, and it can undermine solidarity and destabilize society. "[T]he entire social pact is built around work," Pope Francis told a gathering of factory workers in Genoa. "This is the core of the problem. Because when you do not work, or you work badly, you work little or you work too much, it is democracy that enters into crisis, and the entire social pact."5 </p>
<p><a href="http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/labor-employment/labor-day-statement-2017.cfm">READ MORE >></a></p>
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