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?

Fair Trade Defeats Poverty

A poor man's field may produce abundant food, but injustice sweeps it away. -- Proverbs 13:23

 

Our Bishops Promote Fair Trade.  The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops promotes fair trade around the world through their global outreach agency, Catholic Relief Services.  Visit their website at: www.crsfairtrade.org

What is Fair Trade?  Fair Trade is about fair prices.  It’s about eliminating exploitative middlemen and sharing more of a product’s value with the people who made it.  Fair Trade is about being good stewards of the planet God gave us.   Catholic Relief Services’ Fair Trade program contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to marginalized producers and workers.  The CRS Fair Trade website helps you pray, learn, act, give (and receive!) in solidarity with artisans and farmers around the world.

Scripture 101

Scripture 101: An Intro to Reading the Bible by WILLIAM J. PARKER, C.Ss.R.

This is a great little 10 page booklet to get anyone started in understanding and reading the Bible!

http://www.liguori.org/pdf/817007_Interior.pdf