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The article discusses the challenges faced by progressive Catholics who want to align their charitable donations with their values. It highlights the dilemma of supporting local parishes that may perpetuate gender-based injustice and discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals. The text explores alternative ways to support Catholic organizations that reflect personal values, such as Mary's Pence, while questioning the traditional hierarchy and financial practices within the Church. Readers are encouraged to consider how their financial choices reflect their values and to support organizations that align with their beliefs. [Extracted from the article]

This article examines the lack of a comprehensive ethic of hunting within the Catholic Church and delves into the various issues surrounding hunting practices. These issues encompass Indigenous rights, colonialism, ecosystem health, toxic masculinity, animal rights, and food security. The article also sheds light on the ongoing impact of the doctrine of discovery, which has affected land and Indigenous rights in the United States. It emphasizes the need for Catholics to confront this legacy and develop a Catholic ethic of hunting that considers values such as private property, being good neighbors, and caring for creation. The article further explores the ecological consequences of hunting in North America, including the decline of animal populations and the necessity for wildlife management that is free from colonialism. The author argues that hunting can alter one's perspective on the environment and foster a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of ecosystems. From a Catholic standpoint, the article discusses the ethical considerations and responsibilities associated with hunting. It features interviews with individuals who are both hunters and Catholics, showcasing their diverse perspectives on hunting and its connection to spirituality and the environment. The article underscores the importance of respecting animals and the natural world, while also examining the ethical implications of hunting for pleasure or trophy hunting. It encourages Catholics to reframe their relationship with land and wildlife, recognizing their sacredness and interconnectedness with humanity. [Extracted from the article]

Pope Francis has expressed support for community organizing, recognizing its alignment with his vision for the Catholic Church. Community organizing has deep roots in Catholic social teaching and has been funded by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. However, there has been a decline in Catholic parish participation in community organizing in recent decades. To address this, the Collaborative for Catholic Organizing has been established to provide support, training, and a clear theology of community organizing for Catholic organizers. The article discusses the importance of community organizing and its connection to Catholic social teaching, highlighting its role in addressing social injustices and promoting democracy. It emphasizes the need for a renewed commitment to organizing and the involvement of diverse voices, particularly women and marginalized communities. The article also explores the concept of synodality and the potential for organizing to create meaningful change, concluding by discussing the theological aspects of community organizing and its transformative power. [Extracted from the article]

This article explores the ongoing opioid epidemic and the need for a compassionate Catholic response. It shares the story of Evan Hudson, who found recovery through harm reduction approaches. The article discusses the root causes of the crisis, including political, economic, and social factors, and emphasizes the importance of understanding addiction as a disorder. It calls on the Catholic Church to play a more active role in addressing the crisis, particularly in marginalized communities. The article also highlights the failure of the War on Drugs and the importance of addressing mental health issues. It emphasizes the need for community support and reducing stigma surrounding addiction. [Extracted from the article]

This article from U.S. Catholic provides excerpts from their extensive print archive to celebrate their mission of engaging all aspects of Catholicism. The selected excerpts include an open letter from 1974 discussing the American Catholic Church's alignment with American values after World War II, a piece from 1999 exploring the concept of non-traditional families in popular culture, and a reflection from 2009 on the excessive consumerism and lack of stewardship in children's birthday parties. The article aims to present diverse perspectives and does not adopt a judgmental tone. [Extracted from the article]

The Catholic Worker movement, founded by Dorothy Day, is adapting to the digital age while staying true to its principles. Although there is no official website for the movement, CatholicWorker.org was created by Jim Allaire to provide information about the Catholic Worker. Some communities within the movement have also embraced social media platforms like Instagram to connect with younger generations and share their work. However, there is some skepticism within the community about the impact of technology on personal connections and the common good. Scholars and activists are exploring alternative, community-based approaches to technology that align with Catholic social teaching and promote the common good. Overall, the Catholic Worker movement has embraced technology and the internet to expand its reach and connect with a wider audience, using its website and social media platforms to engage with followers and spread its message of social justice and mercy. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses how The Muppet Christmas Carol creatively reimagines Charles Dickens' classic tale, A Christmas Carol, using Christmas as an opportunity for conversion. Despite initial skepticism, the Muppet version, with Sir Michael Caine as Scrooge, successfully balances humor and solemnity, conveying essential social justice teachings and the importance of looking out for one another. Through a Catholic lens, the film offers a light-hearted yet meaningful interpretation of Dickens' timeless story, making it a memorable and enjoyable introduction to the classic tale for audiences of all ages. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the effects of late capitalism on the Catholic Church, focusing on the role of consulting firm McKinsey & Company. The authors highlight the greed for profits that often comes at the expense of workers and customers. They also explore the impact of late capitalism on the church's role in society, emphasizing the shift from producing model citizens to model consumers. The article references other books and authors who have warned about the effects of capitalism on religion and society. The authors argue that Catholic social teaching promotes the common good and challenges the pursuit of profit at the expense of others. They call for a reevaluation of economic systems and a focus on the well-being of neighbors and the environment. [Extracted from the article]

Apart from the significance of the act itself-which Indigenous people and some church leaders had called for as a show of the church's contrition-the move also revealed a surprising flexibility in how the church relates to itself and its teachings. On March 30, the Vatican announced its repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery, a principle used to justify centuries of colonialism and oppression of Indigenous people. "Pope Francis (or any pope) does not have the authority to change church teaching. At its best, church teaching is reflective of church practice, but there are times when church teaching has not yet caught up with church practice.". [Extracted from the article]

Mary Novak is the first lay executive director of NETWORK, a social justice lobby of Catholic sisters. She brings together her experience as a trauma-informed lawyer, educator, chaplain, organizer, activist, and restorative justice practitioner in her role. Novak has helped lead the organization through its 50th anniversary and expanded its advocacy into climate justice. She sees her vocation as one centered on love and believes that lay leaders are critical in leading the ministries founded by Catholic sisters. Novak hopes more laypeople will feel empowered and that the church will recognize their vocations. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the dominant narrative of "law and order" in U.S. politics and its impact on the criminal justice system. It highlights the oversimplification of complex social issues and the focus on criminalization as a one-size-fits-all solution. The article also explores the historical bipartisan embrace of tough-on-crime policies and the resulting mass incarceration. It mentions the First Step Act of 2018 as a bipartisan effort to reform federal sentencing laws and improve conditions in federal prisons. The article emphasizes the importance of Catholic social teachings, such as human dignity and mercy, in guiding voters' actions and decisions. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the dilemma faced by Catholics when considering a third-party vote in the 2024 presidential election. It highlights the unpopularity of the two major candidates, Joe Biden and Donald Trump, and the lack of alignment between the major parties and Catholic teachings. The article explores the platforms of third-party candidates, such as the American Solidarity Party and the Green Party, and the potential impact of voting for them. It emphasizes the importance of considering the common good, the political environment, and the realistic chances of a candidate being elected when making a voting decision. The article concludes by encouraging Catholics to prioritize Catholic values and exercise critical judgment in the voting booth. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the importance of community and the challenges of social isolation in today's society. It highlights the prevalence of loneliness and isolation, particularly among Millennials and Gen Z, and the negative impact of technology and social media on feelings of belonging. The article emphasizes the need for constant improvement in our social order, founded on truth, justice, and love. It suggests that true civic participation begins in our daily lives and emphasizes the role of community organizations, such as public libraries and recreational centers, in fostering a sense of belonging and building meaningful relationships. The article concludes by urging individuals and parishes to prioritize community building and work together for the common good. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses various perspectives on the process of converting to the Catholic Church. Some individuals believe that the current process should be maintained, while others suggest that it should be strengthened or lengthened. There is also a discussion about high-profile Catholic conversions and concerns about their association with conservative politics. When it comes to individuals with problematic views or beliefs, opinions vary on how their conversion process should be handled. Lastly, there are differing opinions on fast-tracking the conversion process for certain individuals. Overall, the article emphasizes the importance of nurturing relationships and welcoming converts to the faith. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the example of Seth, the owner of a guesthouse, to illustrate the Catholic vision of good work. Seth's work is characterized by three secrets: he doesn't prioritize money, he works for himself and finds fulfillment in his activity, and he aims to build community with his guests. These aspects align with the Catholic social teaching vision of work, which emphasizes the defense and development of the dignity of workers. The article suggests that these insights can be integrated into all workplaces to make work more fully human. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the differences between Catholic social teaching and liberation theology. While Catholic social teaching is the official body of teaching on social justice approved by the church hierarchy, liberation theology emphasizes the interpretation of scripture through the experiences of the poor and oppressed. The article argues that liberation theology challenges the hierarchical power structure of the church and is often seen as controversial and uncomfortable. However, the author suggests that embracing liberation theology can empower laypeople and bring about profound change in the church and the world. [Extracted from the article]

I'd like to think I'm a good priest, but I'm a wounded priest. Although vocations to the priesthood continue to decline in the Catholic Church, Augustinian Father Anthony Pizzo balks at referring to this phenomenon as the "vocations crisis." Pizzo sees the role of the priest as being far more than a simple celebrator of the sacraments, but rather as an integral part of bringing justice and the church's mission to the streets. [Extracted from the article]

Church safety is not about instilling fear, nor is it about building an impenetrable fortress Name withheld One way parishes can balance safety and hospitality is... To talk about the issues and involve those in safety forces to support parish safety programs. It is important, like all ministries in the church, that this not be limited to ordained clergy or members of the parish staff. At our parish staff meeting the following Tuesday, I raised the question of safety in our parish. [Extracted from the article]

The article in U.S. Catholic discusses apocalyptic thinking and the use of rhetoric in politics, questioning the possibility of reuniting as a country. It highlights the misuse of magical thinking to instill fear and control, emphasizing the importance of building up rather than tearing down. The text also touches on the impact of celebrity converts and the personal reflections of the author on confession and the role of the Holy Spirit in spiritual connection. [Extracted from the article]

But where are those Catholics now? These Catholics include Nancy Schleyer, 65, who lives out her Catholic faith through her work in social ministry at St. Kilian's Church in Farmingdale, New York. Koeth notes that the Long Island Catholic, the diocesan newspaper, chronicled how white Catholics often refused to pray with Black Catholics, who lived in isolated enclaves. STILL HANGING ON: Catholics of the Baby Boomer generation experienced the heady days of Vatican II reforms. [Extracted from the article]

In his 2018 apostolic exhortation Gaudete et Exsultate (Rejoice and Be Glad), Pope Francis speaks of the holiness God bestows on ordinary people-parents, grandparents, neighbors, schoolmates, and friends who, through their daily actions of love or quiet suffering, serve as models in life- calling these people the "saints next door." Altman and other Catholics have found answers to these questions in the four U.S. Catholic churchwomen, including two fellow Maryknoll missionaries, who were killed in El Salvador in 1980, where they were serving during a civil war. "The four churchwomen were huge role models for me. [Extracted from the article]

When housing became a commodity Inequality in housing access is rampant in one of the world's wealthiest countries. Henry Louis Taylor, a professor of urban and regional planning at the State University of New York at Buffalo, agrees that the commodification of housing that occurred throughout the 20th century is a cause of the current housing crisis. Now safely and comfortably housed, Edward Cervantes stresses that people without housing are not existentially different from those with homes. Ten years ago, Edward Cervantes-then a writer, artist, and public policy graduate student at Mills College in Oakland, California-found himself unexpectedly experiencing homelessness. [Extracted from the article]

Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz was a revolutionary writer and nun in 17th century Mexico. She was a criolla who educated herself and became a renowned intellectual. Sor Juana challenged the status quo and advocated for the rights of women and Indigenous people. Her works, such as the poem "You Foolish Men" and the play "El Divino Narciso," critiqued sexism and colonialism while celebrating Indigenous culture. Despite facing criticism and losing her prestige, Sor Juana remained faithful to the Catholic Church and saw Catholicism as a means to advocate for social justice. Her life and works continue to inspire contemporary Catholics and social justice advocates. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the upcoming 10th National Eucharistic Congress in the United States, which was organized in response to a 2019 Pew Research Center survey that showed doubts among U.S. Catholics about the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. The Congress, which will take place in Indianapolis in 2024, has faced criticism for being an expensive undertaking based on a questionable survey. A subsequent survey conducted by Georgetown University showed that belief in the real presence strongly correlates with church attendance. The article raises questions about how the church can extend eucharistic hospitality to nonpracticing Catholics and emphasizes the importance of solidarity and inclusivity in promoting the Eucharist as an ethical act. [Extracted from the article]

The article titled "Practice what you preach" discusses the issue of churches abusing the ministerial exemption to mistreat their employees. It also emphasizes the importance of churches embodying ethical and moral values. Another article, "People power," explores the principles of community organizing and their connection to Catholic social teaching. It highlights the significance of relationships, democratic voice, and staying close to the people. Additionally, the article "God doesn't have to be a white man" examines the depiction of Jesus and suggests that artists should focus on portraying love and its mystery rather than adhering to a specific physical appearance. [Extracted from the article]

-MARIA MOCHOW While Mochow's journey eventually brought her into contact with Catholics who took a less sectarian and judgmental approach to their faith, she ultimately could not separate the harm she'd witnessed and experienced from the institution. "I have mad respect for Catholics who still have hope for changing the Catholic Church and have hope with Pope Francis", says Mochow, who likens her own departure to the necessity of leaving an abusive family. Maria Mochow, a California-based writer and former Catholic, knows all too well the poisonous role that a militant, overemphasized sense of identity can have in a Catholic environment. Coming up through Catholic schools in New York all her life, Meg Stapleton Smith finds herself continually revisiting one question: "What happens to the Catholic Church if all the good people leave?". [Extracted from the article]

Can you state-or approximate-the mission statement of your parish, school, university, or organization? Maureen McCarron, Conesus, N.Y. If I were to write a mission statement for my parish, it would be... Jesus' own mission statement, as in Isaiah 61 and Luke 4. When considering a parish, I am interested primarily in ... 63% Liturgy 53% Whether the parish is traditional or progressive 47% Location 37% The pastor 29% Diversity 26% Reverence 24% The other parishioners 13% Church architecture 11% Accessibility Results are based on survey responses from 38 uscatholic.org visitors. Name withheld When I see this word or phrase in a parish's mission statement, I am inclined to visit that parish: LGBTQ Mark Cappetta, Rancho Mirage, Calif. [Extracted from the article]

One weekend each fall, some 2,000 high school students from Jesuit schools around the country descend on the Washington, D.C. area to talk about immigrants, people experiencing poverty, the LGBTQ community, and anyone who is marginalized. For Hicks, what's important is that those who instruct young Catholics-whether teachers at Catholic schools or parish personnel-make the connection for students between the church and the volunteer work, service project, or action being carried out. The way Kerr sees it, service work and its ability to actively engage young Catholics in church teaching is essential in keeping them as active Catholics, inside and outside of the church. Sometimes church leaders don't talk about them at all in the context of parish life, Kerr says. [Extracted from the article]

In that sense, it's about the whole human person engaging the farm and the farm engaging the whole human person." For many years, the hills and fields surrounding the Shrine of St. Anthony outside Ellicott City, Maryland have been a haven for those seeking a peaceful refuge. While the center is a working farm enterprise, with products sold at the farm store and local farmers markets and restaurants, Heber views most of her work as an educational ministry. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the concept of a just wage according to Catholic social teaching and compares it to the current minimum wage in the United States. The church teaches that a just wage should be sufficient for a working person to comfortably support themselves and their family, save for the future, and have disposable income for leisure. However, the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour is not enough to meet these standards. The article highlights the example of Michelin, a corporation that has committed to providing a decent wage to all its employees worldwide, and suggests that this approach could lead to more equitable distribution of wealth and bring us closer to the church's idea of a just wage. [Extracted from the article]

This article from U.S. Catholic discusses the issue of guns and gun violence in the United States. It highlights statistics showing the prevalence of gun ownership and the concern about gun violence among Americans. The article argues that the Catholic Church should take a stronger stance on this issue and presents different perspectives on guns, including those of gun owners, hunters, pacifists, and individuals affected by gun violence. The goal of the article is to encourage a comprehensive conversation about guns and violence in the United States and the role of the church in addressing this issue. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the main differences between Catholic social teaching and liberation theology. Catholic social teaching refers to papal documents and is a set of doctrines that Catholics can use to shape their social and moral lives. Liberation theology, on the other hand, is a social and academic theological movement that focuses on the process of how the gospel pushes and pulls individuals to take action in their daily lives. It is born out of contexts of oppression and grassroots attempts to respond to unfavorable political and economic conditions. The article also includes perspectives from individuals who find liberation theology important to their understanding of Catholicism, as well as those who do not. It explores the reasons why liberation theology has become less popular and why some Catholics are resistant to it. The article concludes by discussing the potential changes that could occur if Catholic social teaching or liberation theology were embraced by the church. [Extracted from the article]

With these mandates from both Pope Francis and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)-not to mention from Jesus-in mind, we asked uscatholic.org readers how they felt the church should engage with politics. The comments collected on these pages are just a small example of how faithful Catholics are engaging politics and what they hope to see from the church they love. [Extracted from the article]

"Native American Catholic schools are just like any other Catholic schools, based on the gospel and Catholic social teaching", he says. Maka Black Elk is the director for truth and healing at Red Cloud Indian School, the Catholic school on Pine Ridge. At their core, Native American Catholic schools are no different from any other Catholic schools in North America. [Extracted from the article]

Kralovec attended a Jesuit high school and learned about the Jesuit order's origins as an urban ministry. Currently, Kralovec lectures in the urban and regional planning program at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., where he also serves as associate director of mission integration of the school's Jesuit values. Growing up Catholic in Chicago, urban planner Jamie Kralovec has made the study of cities his life's vocation. [Extracted from the article]

We aren't going to be able to focus on sex and sexuality as joyful and life-giving unless we [as adult educators] pay attention to how many of us have broken relationships with sex", Kahm says. Ott defines sexuality as an "embodied human capacity to know and to communicate or express our self-understanding", offering five elements within her expansive dimension of sexuality: intimacy, health, gender identity and sexual orientation, sensuality, and behaviors. Toben and Henning echo O'Keefe's observation of how common it is to bring in outside speakers on sexuality. 'The analogy I was taught in my Catholic parish and at Christian camp was that sexuality was like a rose. [Extracted from the article]

The idea of equity has become a hot topic in American society. While there is no direct official Catholic teaching on equity, there are surely reasons why Catholics should think in equity terms and share the boxes. [Extracted from the article]

As we begin this synod, I hope that those leading the parish consultation process will welcome, promote, and integrate all cultural families found in our parishes. My hope is that the synod gestures toward this new parish model, beyond shared parishes and toward an integrated parish where culturally responsive ministries are at the heart of our work. As the synod consultations sessions begin, parishes have an opportunity to implement a real journeying together and inclusive process that may truly reflect a multicultural U.S. Catholicism, while addressing the institutional racism that exists in our parishes. [Extracted from the article]

When it comes to diversity and representation, Catholic media must do better Catholic media cannot fulfill this vocation unless it amplifies voices across the broad spectrum of Catholic experiences, engages difficult questions, and reports on stories no one else will tell. 66% of U.S. Catholic readers surveyed say they do not feel represented by Catholic media. In March 2021 FutureChurch hosted a talk on women in Catholic media, hosted by Heidi Schlumpf, executive editor of National Catholic Reporter. [Extracted from the article]

The child care crisis: Pre- and post-COVID-19 The child care crisis began, of course, far earlier than COVID-19 came to America. Although COVID-19 and the child care crisis impacted parents and families in general, mothers bore the bulk of the consequences, mirroring the impact of the child care crisis on mothers in general. Mari Barboza, a community engagement manager for Catholic Relief Services, has also witnessed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the child care crisis in her personal life as well as in her professional global work. [Extracted from the article]

The document reminds us that the bishops "do not intend to tell Catholics for whom or against whom to vote", just as the church does not tell Catholics how to vote. 3 reminders from Catholic social teaching Catholic voters are responsible for knowing the church's values and what role faith plays in our political decisions. Common good thinking-and voting-goes beyond judging candidates on their political affiliations and beyond asking, "What will this candidate do for me?" After the death of Floyd, Pope Francis warned that Catholic indifference to racism is not consistent with Catholic teaching on human dignity. [Extracted from the article]

Headmaster and Benedictine Father Edwin Leahy knew he was home when he walked through the doors of St. Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark, New Jersey as a teenager. St. Benedict's Prep has no intention of going co-ed, but Leahy maintains that the girls will bring their own complementary views to the school, along with valuable opportunities for all students to interact within the leadership model. Authentic masculinity Calles emphasizes that she has not encountered the version of toxic masculinity often associated with all-male Catholic schools from any of the students at St. Benedict's Prep. [Extracted from the article]

In a third-floor classroom of a Chicago urban Catholic school, about 25 adults gathered on a chilly October night to learn about Catholic social justice teaching and how to take steps to make it happen. The seven-class program, organized through the Archdiocese of Chicago's Office of Human Dignity and Solidarity's Immigration Ministry, trains Hispanic and Polish lay leaders to help fellow immigrants in their parishes. The Archdiocese of Chicago's Office of Human Dignity and Solidarity's Immigration Ministry presents a yearly immigration film festival that travels from parish to parish during National Migration Week (the second week of January). [Extracted from the article]

According to a survey conducted by U.S. Catholic, 92% of respondents agreed that Catholic social teaching is an important lens through which they understand their faith. Additionally, 76% agreed that liberation theology is also an important lens for understanding their faith. When asked about the conflict between Catholic social teaching and liberation theology, 51% agreed that there is no conflict, while 18% agreed that Catholic social teaching is a watered-down version of liberation theology. The survey also found that 72% of respondents agreed that liberation theology is invaluable for Catholics working for social justice, and 77% agreed that it has been unfairly maligned by the Catholic Church. [Extracted from the article]

One round-trip flight from Washington, D.C. to London for one person would have a carbon footprint equivalent to over five years of using our gas stove. More important, the more ambitious forms of gas stove bans also ban other gas appliances-dryers, hot water heaters, and furnaces. The idea is that when you replace gas with electric appliances, you can get zero-emission electricity from solar, wind, and other sources. [Extracted from the article]

White Christian nationalism is a plague in our nation's social life. Sixty years after Martin Luther King Jr. wrote his "Letter from Birmingham City Jail", white Christians still function as defenders of an unjust status quo The inescapable truth is that just as King declared, white Christians and white churches still function as "archdefenders" of an unjust "status quo.". [Extracted from the article]

Five activists on how faith inspires their work with the nation's most marginalized. Over the decades since then, I have learned in countless contexts, encounters, and campaigns that nonviolence is at the heart of our calling and identity as human beings. [Extracted from the article]

For moral reasons, Catholics should avoid speculative investments and should be suspicious of any investments that promise outrageously high returns. General investment products can be structures of solidarity that direct businesses to higher, more human purposes, instead of social structures that exclusively focus on maximizing monetary returns. [Extracted from the article]

In January, dolphins were spotted swimming in the Bronx River. The dolphins and the spinner sharks glorify God and reflect back to us the image of their creator. Seals, dolphins, and humpback whales are all now regular visitors to Rockaway Beach, Queens, where I live. [Extracted from the article]

The article offers information on how Catholic universities across the U.S. are training the next generation of advocates to fight human trafficking. Topics discussed include focus to reverse long-held beliefs about trafficking and prostitution; aim of people in religious life and faith-based organizations to offering resources to survivors, and changing laws; and focus of Catholic universities to teaching social justice and ethics along with standard university coursework.