Common Good Newsletter: April 2008

April Common Good E-Newsletter

April 27 is “Health Care Sunday” in Michigan

This spring, Catholics committed to social justice in Michigan are joining thousands of other individuals devoted to the common good by working to change the course of the current costly and unsustainable health care system, by placing on the November ballot a proposal called “Health Care for Michigan.” This proposal would require the Michigan Legislature to enact policies that control health care costs and ensure that all Michigan residents have basic health insurance. Click here to view the petition.

In conjunction with Cover the Uninsured Week, over 200 congregations from across the State of Michigan will be participating in “Health Care Sunday” the weekend of April 26-27. All across the state, announcements will be made about the Health Care Campaign and interested parishioners will be invited to sign the petition after Mass.

To sign on as a participating congregation or to help support the proposal, please contact Vicky Kovari vkovari@catholicsinalliance.org or Brian Peck bcpeck@umich.edu for more information on Health Care Sunday. For parishes unable participate April 26-27, there will be an alternative weekend scheduled before the June 1 filing deadline. More information on the campaign is available at: www.healthcareformichigan.org.

Catholics Call for End to Iraq War on 5th Anniversary

About 1,000 protesters spread throughout Washington for a day of marches, rallies, sit-ins and blockades on the fifth anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. March 19 was a national day of protests, with similar events in Chicago, New York and San Francisco drawing bigger crowds.
Sister Marie Lucey, associate director for social mission for the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, told rally-goers she had been amused by a quote she had read in the newspaper that morning by a college student who said, "The (peace) movement is ours, too, not just that of old white women."

"I am thrilled that young people have claimed their voice in protesting this war, and as one of those old white women, I am glad that I, and the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, began to publicly decry the war even before it started," she said. Johnny Zokovitch, communications director for Pax Christi USA, told Catholic News Service there continues to be a steady increase in the number of Catholic peace activists "the longer the war goes on."

"People who were neutral at one point are taking stock of the human and economic costs of the war," he said, noting not only an increase in activism, but also more concrete steps taken to promote peace such as prayer services, lobbying efforts and letter-writing campaigns. .

For more information, visit: www.commongoodconvention.org.

City Museum in New York Announces New Catholic Exhibit

“Catholics in New York 1808- 1946” is an upcoming exhibit in the Museum of the City of New York on view from May 16 through December 31, 2008. This is the first Catholic feature in the museum to demonstrate the evolution of Catholicism in New York City and its rich contribution to the city’s history. The exhibit “explores the social and political history of the diverse group of people who established the formidable Catholic presence in New York.”

The exhibition is divided into three central themes: how essential early New York parishes were to the Catholic community; the creation of health, social, and educational institutions founded by Catholics to embrace their religion and insulate against Anti-Catholic prejudice; and the rise of Catholics as a force in New York politics, with such New York figures as William R. Grace (1832-1904), the Irish-born businessman who in 1880 was elected the first Catholic mayor of New York City. All three sections incorporate how the Catholic community defended its identity in response to widespread anti-Catholicism. The exhibit is brought full circle as it concludes with the implementation of the G.I. Bill, which paved the way to higher education, and low-cost home mortgages. For more information visit: http://www.mcny.org/exhibitions/future/684.html

Hollenbach on the Pope’s Visit to America

Noted theologian Rev. David Hollenbach, SJ provides a thoughtful analysis on Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the United States (April 15 – 20) on The Common Good Blog. He believes that the Pope’s visit can “help inspire a revitalized commitment to the common good that is urgently needed.” Fr. Hollenbach is the Director, Center for Human Rights and International Justice and the Margaret O’Brien Flatley Professor of Theology at Boston College. To see the rest of his reflection visit www.catholicsinalliance.org and we invite you to add your reflections on the Pope’s upcoming visit.

Catholic Media Report Survey Results

Last month, the editors of Catholic Media Report distributed a survey to its readers. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive:

“I love your Catholic Media Watch because it is all about subjects I am interested in as a catholic.”

“The summaries really do help, as I can just quickly scan them and mark the email if I am interested in reading a longer article.”

“Gives me information about events I may have missed otherwise. Often your stories send me looking for further information on topics. Thank You!”

The editors wish to thank all of those who took the time to answer the survey and invite those who are still not subscribers to check out Catholic Media Report today. If you are already a subscriber considering sharing with a friend.

Calendar of Events

April 5

Michigan Catholic Assembly

Madonna University,

36600 Schoolcraft Rd.

Livonia MI

www.madonna.edu

April 14-16,

Iraq Action and Advocacy Days

Washington DC

For more information visit www.iraqactiondays.org.

April 19

Pax Christi NJ Conference on Migration and Global Solidarity

The event is being co-sponsored by the Haiti Solidarity Network of the Northeast (HSSNE)

Jersey City, NJ

Contact Kathy O’Leary for more information.

The Common Good Newsletter Staff

Editors:

Alexia Kelley, Executive Director

Pat Wheeler, Communications Director

John Cosgriff, Communications Specialist and Online Editor

Writers:

Pat Wheeler, Communications Director

John Cosgriff, Communications Specialist and Online Editor

Veronica Dingwall, Intern

Send questions, comments and suggestions to jcosgriff@catholicsinalliance.org