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

New Faithful Citizenship Videos Now Online.

Franciscan Media, with support from the USCCB Catholic Communications Campaign, has created a series of videos and public service announcements about Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship!

Video topics include:

• Using Faithful Citizenship Correctly, 
• Conscience Formation, 
• Civility in the Public Square, 
• The Economy, 
• Religious Liberty, 
• Life Issues, 
• Immigration, 
• Marriage, 
• War and Peace.  

See the website: http://tinyurl.com/faithful-citizenship-videos

Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship

Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States provides a framework for Catholics in the United States.

 "Responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation."
-- Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship
By our baptism, Catholics are committed to following Jesus Christ and to be "salt for the earth, light for the nations." As the Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us, "It is necessary that all participate, according to his position and role, in promoting the common good. This is inherent in the dignity of the human person ... As far as possible citizens should take an active part in public life" (nos. 1913-1915).


Click here for Spanish /  En Español

Click here for more information in English and Spanish such as bulletin inserts

Catholic Net has great daily meditations!

Catholic.net has a great treasury of daily meditations that are excellent for personal faith formation and equally useful for groups.  They all follow the same format: Scripture, introductory prayer, the day's petition followed by three meditations on the subject, a conversation to have with Christ and a resolution.

Here are just a few meditations available:

Fasting and Feasting

I will make a special sacrifice

Where Mercy Reigns

I will set a time and place for confession

Fathoming Christ’s Mercy

Today I will remember to avoid rash and judgmental thoughts

Casting out Evil

I will reject one specific sin

My Lord and My God!

Today during the day I will read numbers 150-152

Determined Discipleship

Today I will live better my vocation in life

Touching the Lord

I shall make two acts of faith