Sister Patricia “Patty” Caraher, OP, died Wed., Nov. 13, 2024, at St. Dominic Villa, Hazel Green, Wis.
Tag: social justice
Allowing the Visitation to change us
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Word on Fire
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This article is in joyful preparation for the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is observed annually on May 31.
A few years ago, I was having dinner with some friends, and the discussion turned toward Catholic social justice. This got me really excited, because one of the things that drew me into the Catholic Church was her rich body of social teachings.
Pope ties ecological justice to social justice
To the editor:
In reading through Pope Francis’ most recent encyclical, he reminds us that by hurting God’s creation, we are also hurting ourselves. We are causing pain to the poor and most vulnerable among us. We are damaging all life on this planet, including our own.
I was struck by the ways Pope Francis ties ecological justice to social justice, urging us “to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.” These cries are inextricably linked, though some try to frame them in opposition to one another.
Respecting life outside our comfort zone
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True respect for life requires us to get out of our comfort zone. Oh, we might say, “I respect life, I vote for ‘pro-life’ politicians who claim they will work to end abortion.” However, in a democracy voting is usually easy and comfortable.
But are we willing to regularly stand outside of an abortion mill on a freezing winter morning or hot summer afternoon praying and witnessing to the humanity of our unborn brothers and sisters? That’s harder and somewhat uncomfortable.
War kills life
Now for those who are willing to get uncomfortable in support of the Catholic Church’s efforts to protect unborn human life, try to move into an even more uncomfortable zone: acknowledge the truth that war does much to disrespect life. War kills life — mostly innocent life.
After the elections, the hard work begins
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Struggling to figure out which candidates would do the most good and the least harm — especially to the poor and vulnerable — and then showing up to vote, was the easy part.
Now the hard work begins!
Pardeeville parish hosts Mobile Food Pantry
St. Mary of the Most Holy Rosary Parish, 318 S. Main, will host the Mobile Food Pantry the fourth Monday of each month, beginning Monday, June 25, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Catholic conferences bring Church’s message
The springtime of the year is a season for debates over state budgets. Here, as in other places, state Catholic Conferences are part of the conversation.
And here, as in other states, the issues of concern to state Catholic Conferences don’t fit neatly into the conventional liberal-conservative categories.
WCC and the budget proposal
In Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Catholic Conference (WCC) backs the governor’s recommendations regarding the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program and his proposal to remove the mandate that health insurance policies include contraceptive services coverage, even when religious organizations do not want to purchase such coverage.
The WCC also supports budget provisions that limit or end funding for family planning programs, but also urges that those funds be redirected to programs that help pregnant women and their children.
Social justice is clearly explained by Father Sirico
To the editor:
Fr. Robert Sirico has a special knack for applying the tenets of our Catholic faith to the socio-political world in which we live. His article “‘Social Justice’ is a complex concept” in the April 14 issue of the Catholic Herald clearly explains how the free market enables the most efficient workplace rewards for all who choose to labor.
Our Christian faith doesn’t demand that everyone, regardless of effort, receive equal compensation. Our government should certainly provide for equal opportunities for all.
American society has been redistributing wealth from the poor to the rich
To the editor:
The column entitled, “‘Social justice’ is a complex concept” by Fr. Robert A. Sirico published in the April 14 issue of the Catholic Herald is confusing.
United States income has been redistributed from the poor and middle class to the wealthy for 30 years. The book Winner-Take-All Politics by Pierson and Hacker shows that in 2005 dollars, income of the 20 percent of American households earning the least rose from $14,900 in 1979 to $16,500 in 2005, or 10 percent. Average income rose from $42,900 to $52,100 or 21 percent.
CCHD seeks local grant applications
Applications are now being accepted for local grants to be distributed through the local Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD).