Augustine of Hippo

Some think to justify what they do. They give a little in charity of the lot they stole from the poor; or give a pittance to the one, out of what they took from the many. One mouth eats the food of the many. Many are stripped so one can dress. God does not want charity to be like that. 425 AD

 Every Christian is called to practice this charity, in a

manner corresponding to his vocation and according to the degree of influence he wields in the plis. This is the institutional path we might also call it the political path of charity, no less excellent and effective than the kind of charity which encounters the neighbor directly, outside the institutional mediation of the plis. When animated by charity, commitment to the common good has greater worth than a merely secular and political stand would have. Caritas in Veritate #6

Advocating for Justice

Parishes need to promote a

revived sense of political responsibility calling Catholics to be informed and active citizens, participating in the debate over the values and vision that guide our communities and nation. Parishes as local institutions have special opportunities to develop leaders, to promote citizenship, and to provide forums for discussion and action on public issues.
- Communities of Salt and Light

Advocating for Justice

The voices of parishioners need to

be heard on behalf of vulnerable children-born and unborn-on behalf of those who suffer discrimination and injustice, on behalf of those without health care or housing, on behalf of our land and water, our communities and neighborhoods.

Parishioners need to bring our values and vision into the debates about a changing world and shifting national priorities. Parishes and parishioners are finding diverse ways to be political without being partisan, joining legislative networks, community organizations, and other advocacy groups.

Life and Dignity of the Human Person Call to Family, Community, and Participation Rights and Responsibilities Option for the Poor and Vulnerable The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers Solidarity Care for Gods Creation

 We can take on with passion specific issues that call on us and organize, in coalition with others, to address that issue. However, always remember to promote and defend all our Catholic social issues. The Gospel message cannot be compromised. It would be great and easy for us to simply take those passages that fit within our comfortable lifestyle and ignore the ones that challenge us. If you believe what you like in the gospels, and reject what you dont like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself. St. Augustine: Sermons 20,2

The Christian faith is an integral unity, and thus it is incoherent to isolate some particular element to the detriment of the whole of Catholic doctrine. A political commitment to a single isolated aspect of the Churchs social doctrine does not exhaust ones responsibility towards the common good. Nor can a Catholic think of delegating his Christian responsibility to others; rather, the Gospel of Jesus Christ gives him this task, so that the truth about man and the world might be proclaimed and put into action. #4 2002 Doctrinal note Participation of Catholics in Political Life

On single issue focus

Civil Discourse
O Catholics should try to

cooperate with all men and women of good will to promote whatever is true, whatever just, whatever holy, whatever lovable (cf. Phil. 4:8). They should hold discussions with them, excel them in prudence and courtesy, and initiate research on social and public practices which should be improved in line with the spirit of the Gospel. (Apostolicam Actuasitatem #14)

O Ground Rules: O Make sure everyone has an opportunity to speak O Share your personal experience not someone elses. O Listen carefully and respectfully. Do not play the role of know it all, convincer or corrector. Dialogue is not a Debate. O Dont interrupt unless for clarification or timekeeping O Accept that no group or viewpoint has a monopoly on the truth. O Be more ready to give a favorable interpretation to anothers statement than to condemn it. O Be cautious about assigning motives to another person.

Being a Faithful Citizen

VOTE (Make a Moral Decision) but dont stop there! Develop an ongoing relationship with your local, state and federal elected official:
Visit, Write/email, Call (take copies of our Contacting Your Elected Official handout.

Join Catholic Legislative Action Alerts:

U SCCB action center: http://www.usccb.org/issuesand-action/take-action-now/capwiz/ NYSCC Catholic Action Network: https://ssl.capwiz.com/

What Can Catholics Do?

Organize Prayer or Faith Sharing Groups related to

Catholic social teaching Develop or join a Parish advocacy/social justice Committee

Organize a Parish Voters registration where you offer resources from the USCCB or NY State Catholic Conference (NYSCC) Promote upcoming advocacy events Take part in advocacy campaigns that are sponsored by the USCCB

 Catholic Social Ministry Gathering

Join this excellent opportunity for leaders in Catholic social ministry to Connect Learn Pray Advocate! Exciting plenary presentations, briefings, workshops, and strategy sessions will address current topics essential to our various ministries, and better prepare you and your colleagues for challenges ahead. http://www.usccb.org/about/ justice-peace-and-humandevelopment/catholic-socialministry-gathering/

Advocacy Event

Advocacy Events

Catholics at the Capitol

Wednesday March 20, 2013 Join with the Cardinal

2014 Advocacy Issues Support Pregnant Women and Oppose Abortion Expansion Preserve Catholic Schools Ensure Sufficient Funding for Programs for Vulnerable Populations Support Humane Treatment for Incarcerated Individuals Support Equitable Labor Standards for Farmworkers

Dolan and the Bishops of New York State for a day of workshops and advocacy on issues of grave importance. Many participants will meet with their legislators and everyone will participate in Mass with the Bishops. Lunch will be provided. http://www.nyscatholic.org/ public-policy-dayinformation/

Advocacy Campaign
Respect Life Program The Respect Life Program begins anew each year on Respect Life Sunday, the first Sunday in October. The program is highlighted in liturgies and marked by special events. The USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities publishes a program packet each year to call attention to numerous human life issues. These materials are especially helpful for priests, parish groups and other organizations. http://www.usccb.org/about/prolife-activities/respect-lifeprogram/

Pocket folder contains Respect Life flyers (English and Spanish) and eight pamphlet-length articles (perfect for bulletins and vestibule pamphlet racks) covering major pro-life issues.

Poverty USA Campaign

Learn: Listen to real stories

http://www.povertyusa.org/

about people living in poverty, learn the facts about poverty in the United States and understand the root causes. Act: Join our Action Network and well send you updates on issues that impact people living in poverty along with opportunities to advocate. Connect: network with others and help build a national movement to end poverty. Pray: resources to pray and reflect over these issues.

Advocacy Campaign

Justice for Immigrant Campaign

The primary objectives of the JFI campaign are: To educate the public, especially the Catholic community, including Catholic public officials, about Church teaching on migration and immigrants; To create political will for positive immigration reform; To enact legislative and administrative reforms based on the principles articulated by the bishops; and To organize Catholic networks to assist qualified immigrants obtain the benefits of the reforms.

http://www.justiceforimmigrants.o rg/index.shtml

Advocacy Campaign
Catholic Mobilizing Network (CMN) Against the Death Penalty - proclaims the Churchs unconditional pro-life teaching and its application to capital punishment and restorative justice. What We Do
Educate the lay community through our programs and materials on the Churchs teachings on the death penalty. Facilitate respectful and informed discourse within the Catholic community and the community at large. Encourage informed Catholic involvement in the public debate.

http://catholicsmobilizing.org/

Advocacy Campaign

The Catholic Climate Covenant

The Coalition has also focused its work on providing a forum to explore the issues and faith implications of climate change through hosted hearings around the country. It also works to connect Catholics by staying in touch with state and diocesan leaders who are promoting climate change activities and partners with other national Catholic organizations to assist them in connecting the issue of climate change within their institutions. http://catholicclimatecovenant.org/

The Coalition also promotes participation and partnerships between Catholic dioceses and Catholic organizations to develop programs at the local level often by offering small grants.

Catholics Confront Global Poverty

We seek to educate and mobilize Catholics in the United States to defend the lives and dignity of people living in poverty throughout the world, and urge our nation to act in response to the many faces of poverty. Advocate with us to confront the root causes of poverty worldwidehunger, disease, conflict, and injusticewhich disproportionately affect the lives of our impoverished brothers and sisters around the globe.

http://www.confrontglobalpover ty.org/

Advocacy Campaign

Advocacy Resources

Your Catholic Charities PSM Developer on advocacy and special projects: John Gonzalez

Legislative resources:

(516) 733-5827 gonzalez.john@catholiccharities.cc

Catholic Legislative Action Alerts:

USCCB action center: http://www.usccb.org/issues-andaction/take-action-now/capwiz/ NYSCC Catholic Action Network: https://ssl.capwiz.com/nyscatholicconferen ce/mlm/verify/

Pop Vox: https://www.popvox.com/ Gov Tracks: http://www.govtrack.us/ Congress.org (communicating with Congress): http://www.congress.org/news/ communicating-with-congress/ THOMAS: http://thomas.loc.gov/home/tho mas.php

Local Community Organizations

DC and Hill media:

LI Congregations, Associations and Neighborhoods: http://www.lican.org/index.html Micah/Island Harvest: http://www.islandharvest.org/page.aspx?id =171&name=Advocacy LI Index: http://www.longislandindex.org/

The Hill: http://thehill.com/ Politico: http://www.politico.com/ Roll Call: http://www.rollcall.com/ National Journal: http://www.nationaljournal.com/

COMMUNICATING WITH CONGRESS

Vehicles of Communication:

Letter writing Phone calls Emails Social networking

Rule #1: Contact only your law makers, let them know you are their constituent. Rule #2: Keep it short simple and sweet, Be polite (When texting AVOID ALL CAPS)

Is it representative of the mail that is coming in? Is it something represented in the news? Is it a compelling message?

http://www.congress.org/news/co mmunicating-with-congress/

Rule #3: Get personal; avoid form letters from advocacy groups

Influencing your legislator

WHAT LEGISLATORS AND STAFF WANT IN CONSTITUENT COMMUNICATIONS

A Ministry in Need of Attention

Even if many are now involved in the lay ministries, this involvement is not reflected in a greater penetration of Christian values in the social, political and economic sectors. It often remains tied to tasks within the Church, without a real commitment to applying the Gospel to the transformation of society. The formation of the laity and the evangelization of professional and intellectual life represent a significant pastoral challenge. - #102