Is your parish or community doing social justice? Here are some resources
Some of the best materials for activating your parish or faith community to take action for justice come directly from the U.S. Catholic Conference. They can be ordered by phone toll free: (800) 235-8722. Some examples:
Parish Resources for Political Responsibility
Practical election year ideas for liturgy, homilies, forums, curricula. (8 pp.) Tips for conducting a parish voter registration drive (4 pp.) Camera ready bulletin inserts/handouts on the 20 election-year issues in Bishops' Political Responsibility Statement
Communities of Salt and Light: Parish Resource Manual
Starting with the text of the Bishops' Communities of Salt and Light: Reflections on the Social Mission of the Parish, the manual provides resources for incorporating social ministry into every aspect of parish life. Designed with perforated pages to be shared, the booklet contains assessment tools, models, prayers, clip art, and a wealth of suggestions. 52 pp. $5.95. Also, a companion video.
A Catholic Campaign for Children and Families: Parish Resource Manual
The Bishops' statement, Putting Children and Families First, has been the cornerstone of USCC domestic policy on Capitol Hill for several years. This manual works from the statement to planning and support materials for preaching, liturgy, religious education and family use. English or Spanish. 88 pp. $4.95.
Renewing the Face of the Earth: A Resource for Parishes
The handbook starts with the Bishops' statement, Renewing the Earth, then offers background on the connection between the environment and social justice, action ideas for parish programs, liturgical and homily materials, parish bulletin inserts, and an order form for the companion video. 80 pp. $6.95.
Resources for lobbying the Congress
Catholic Charities USA is giving superb leadership to the broad Catholic lobbying efforts in the 104th Congress. Here are some of their tools:
Congressional Handbook
Key phone numbers and addresses; tips on communicating with Congress; detailed information about senators, representatives, committees; how to contact the White House, Cabinet and federal agencies. $16.
Transforming the Welfare System: A Position Paper
As the country's largest social service network, Charities brings its unique experience into the welfare reform debate. A positive and pro-active set of recommendations, not just reactions to the latest bill which dominates the debate in Congress. 17 pp. $3.
AdvoFax
Catholic Charities USA's former monthly publication, Legislative Update, is now a weekly AdvoFax, which is faxed to subscribers without waiting for the mail. The up-to-date information allows you to respond to important issues quickly, and to make a difference in the 104th Congress. $20/year.
Order these materials from Catholic Charities USA, 1731 King St., Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314. (703) 549-1390.
NETWORK
This national Catholic social justice lobby has worked the issues of budget priorities, economic equity and world peace for over 20 years. The Jan.-Feb. issue of the bimonthly newsletter, NETWORK CONNECTION, gives voting records of all 535 Senators/Congresspersons on 15 key votes in the '95 Congressional session. For Elections '96, NETWORK staff do three-hour issues workshops. Education materials series: Voter Education (May), Issues '96 (Aug.), Candidates '96 (Sept.). The '96 Post Convention Election Chart will give summary analysis of positions of major presidential candidates on key peace-justice issues. (CTA in the past has often distributed or reproduced NETWORK's Election Chart.) Membership is $30. NETWORK, 801 Pennsylvania Ave., SE, Suite 460, Washington DC 20003. (202) 547-5556. E-mail: HN5236@Handsnet.Org
Bread For the World
Non-partisan Christian citizens' movement against hunger at home and abroad. 44,000 people, 3,500 churches in 45 denominations. A 1996 project is "Elect to End Childhood Hunger" BFW is asking all candidates for Congress to sign a pledge that once elected they will support legislation to address childhood hunger in the U.S., where one in four children under age 12, more than 13 million, face hunger or the risk of hunger. Newsletters, background papers, action networks at local/regional level. Membership $25. Bread for the World, 1100 Wayne Ave., Suite 1000, Silver Spring MD 20910. (301) 608-2400. E-mail: bread@igc.org
Other Resources
Salt of the Earth
A peace/justice magazine with bulk copies of special issues for parish groups: Building Communities of Salt and Light, Catholic Social Teaching, How to fire up your parish for justice. Claretian Publications, 1-800-328-6515.
Sharing the Tradition, Shaping the Future
A series of faith-sharing booklets for small group reflection and action, on six basic themes of Catholic social teaching, including the dignity of the human person and the preferential option for the poor. From USCC's Campaign for Human Development: (202) 541-3212.
Peace Papers
Weekly bulletin offering children, ages 6-10, a way to prevent violence and choose alternatives. Activities, games, stories, puzzles aimed at violence prevention and peacemaking. Parenting for Peace and Justice, 4144 Lindell Blvd., #124, St. Louis, MO 63108. (314) 533-4445. E-mail: ppjn@aol.com
Center of Concern
Resources on global social problems. Many books and tapes by Jesuits Jim Hug, Peter Henriot, Phil Land; Maria Riley, OP and others. Women Connecting Beyond Beijing: workbooks for small groups. Materials for social justice in the classroom, such as It's Not Fair (ages 13 to 18), Renewing the Earth: Youth Guide, and Nuncamas - Never Again written with Amnesty International as a primer on human rights. 3700 13th St., NE, Washington DC 20017. (202) 635-2757.
Domestic Violence
Women Healing the Wounds
Practical pamphlet about domestic violence against women: information and action steps for victims, friends, advocates. National Council of Catholic Women, 1275 K St., NW, Washington DC 2005. (202) 682-0334.
Call To Action News is one of three quarterly publications from Call To Action. For more information, contact:
Call To Action
2135 W. Roscoe
Chicago, IL 60618
(773/604-0400; fax 773/604-4719)
cta@cta-usa.org