Make a Difference in Washington, D.C., with the Click of a Mouse

Catholic Charities USA keeps a close eye on legislation passing through Congress, and regularly asks Catholic voters to write to their Congresspersons on time urgent bills.  With a simple click of the mouse and the entry of a few fields of data about yourself, you can send an effective email to your Congressperson.  At the following website, click on “Advocacy” and then “Take Action”: www.catholiccharitiesusa.org

Bishops Call the Faithful to Form Consciences for November Election

Here are some things to think about as elections draw nearer.  As US Citizens, voters and Catholics, we need to bring Christian virtues to the public arena.

“The relative silence of candidates and their campaigns on the moral imperative to resist and overcome poverty is both ominous and disheartening … In this election year, Catholics should review and act on what the U.S. bishops said on economic issues in Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: Economic decisions and institutions should be assessed according to whether they protect or undermine the dignity of the human person. Social and economic policies should foster the creation of jobs for all who can work with decent working conditions and just wages. Barriers to equal pay and employment for women and those facing unjust discrimination must be overcome. Catholic social teaching supports the right of workers to choose whether to organize, join a union, and bargain collectively, and to exercise these rights without reprisal. It also affirms economic freedom, initiative, and the right to private property. Workers, owners, employers, and unions should work together to create decent jobs, build a more just economy, and advance the common good.”  

 -- Read more at: http://tinyurl.com/WorkersEconomy

National Voter Registration Day, September 25,2012

Supported by Catholic Charities USA
Register to vote online: www.vote411.org

Why should I register to vote, and help friends and family to do so?  In 2008, 6 million Americans didn't vote because they missed a registration deadline or didn’t know how to register. Don’t let you or someone you know be left out!

What is National Voter Registration Day?  On September 25, 2012, volunteers, civic groups, and organizations from all over the country will "hit the streets" for National Voter Registration Day. This single day of coordinated ?eld, technology and media efforts will create pervasive awareness of voter registration opportunities.  Learn more at: http://nationalvoterregistrationday.org

If I have moved since the last election, or recently turned 18, do I need to register to vote?  Yes, you do! 

How can I register to vote? Pick up a voter registration form from the Livermore Public Library, the Livermore Post Office, or go online at: http://www.vote411.org

What is the deadline for registering by mail?  Your registration must be postmarked no later than October 22, 2012.

What do our Catholic bishops say about the ballot issues?  Plenty!  On their website for the California Catholic Conference (http://www.cacatholic.org), our bishops have prepared brief summaries of the text and the arguments of the proponents and opponents of the 11 propositions which will appear on California’s November 6, 2012 ballot.  Each contains summaries of the pro and con arguments, as well as relevant Catholic social teaching.  In addition, our bishops are specifically endorsing Prop 34 SAFE California Act to replace the death penalty with life imprisonment without possibility of parole.

"Responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation."
-- Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Catholic Word of the Day

Have you ever wondered what a narthex is? Or what it means to be a recidivist or what febronianism is? Our Catholic faith is RICH with it's own vocabulary, and if you want to work your way to be a grand Catholic word-nerd, check out the Catholic Word of the Day at Our Sunday Visitor's website.  You can look up a specific word, or hit the "surprise me" button for the random word of the day.

How fun would it be to use the word of the day for your small group as an ice-breaker?  Maybe a fun trivia contest at your next bible study?