Poverty 24/6 "Give Poverty a Day Off"

POVERTY 24/6 is a Trust under the auspices of the Diocese of Tucson whose ministry provides clothing, food, water and other basic human necessities to improve the quality of life for those living in the most impoverished conditions in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico.

The Mission of Poverty 24/6 is "to foster pastoral and educational outreach to migrants who have been deported from the United States of America, and to address the social and humanitarian needs of such individuals as well as the social and humanitarian needs of other needy persons throughout the state of Sonora, Mexico."

Learn all about this outstanding program by watching the video Miracles in Mexico: The Story of Poverty 24/6 online at the "What's New" link of the Poverty 24/6 website: http://www.poverty24-6.org/

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More on Health-Care Reform -- a social justice guide

From Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good:

"The issue of health care transcends political labels of "left" and "right." Something more is at stake: the dignity of the human person. Providing access to quality and affordable health care is a moral imperative. As people of faith, we are called to ensure that the value of human life is placed above profit and that our elected officials are creating policies that benefit the common good, not just a select few. Though Congress is preparing to recess, we need to continue to advocate for health care reform that benefits ALL people, including immigrants and their children."

PICO, a national network of faith-based community organizations and Sojourners -- in collaboration with the Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good -- have put together a Guide to the Health-Care Reform Debate. [pdf]

The guide is designed to educate and spark discussion and thought about how to live out God’s call for justice in our world. This guide includes biblical background, a status update on the state of U.S. health care, a look at past attempts at health-care reform, a helpful guide for understanding all the terms, options, and key choices in the current debate, a look at the role of the faith community and what values can shape our healthcare decisions, plus a list of what you and your community can do to promote health-care reform that makes coverage more affordable to families and serves the common good.

Click here to download the guide [pdf] It provides valuable information about the health care reform debate from a faith-based perspective and can help us all to learn how to speak out on behalf of justice.

Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good reminds us:

As Martin Luther King, Jr., said, "Justice too long delayed is justice denied." With almost 50 million Americans-including 9 million children-lacking health care coverage, we can't afford to wait for just health care reform any longer.

For more information, visit the Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good HEALTH CARE page:

http://www.catholicsinalliance.org/health-care

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Take Action on Health Care!

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops is urging us to get informed and involved in the ongoing health care debate and make our views known -- especially with respect to Health Care Reform that Respects Life and Human Dignity.

Read the entire ACTION ALERT at this link:

http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/national/2009-07-27-alert-health-care.pdf

On July 17, Bishop William Murphy, Chairman of the Bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, sent a letter to Congress saying, “The USCCB looks forward to working with you to reform health care successfully in a manner that offers accessible, affordable and quality health care that protects and respects the life and dignity of all people from conception until natural death.” Abortion must not be included as part of a national health care benefit. “No health care reform plan should compel us or others to pay for the destruction of human life, whether through government funding or mandatory coverage of abortion.” Bishop Murphy argued that any legislation should reflect longstanding policies “on abortion funding, dates and conscience protections because they represent sound morality, wise policy and political reality.”

The full text of Bishop Murphy’s letter can be found online at:
www.usccb.org/sdwp/national/2009-07-17-murphy-letter-congress.pdf

TAKE ACTION and contact our senators and representatives with your views on Health Care NOW!

Grijalva.house.gov
Giffords.house.gov
Kyl.senate.gov
Mccain.senate.gov

For more information, please contact Kathy Saile, Director of Domestic Social Development, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, at ksaile@usccb.org

Today is Mandela Day!

With an amazing legacy of pursuing justice and promoting reconciliation, Nelson Mandela continues to work tirelessly to promote peace and human dignity.

Today -- in honor of Nelson Mandela's birthday, we celebrate each indiviudal's ability to make an imprint.

Read about the day at this link: mandeladay.com

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