“The Church without frontiers, Mother to all, spreads throughout the world a culture of acceptance and solidarity, in which no one is seen as useless, out of place, or disposable.” Pope Francis Message for the 2015 World Day of Migrants and Refugees, September 3, 2014

In this Year of Mercy, how are we providing shelter to the homeless? How are we caring for the immigrants among us?  Do our undocumented brothers and sisters feel  "a culture of acceptance and solidarity"?

Currently, all public colleges and universities in Connecticut set aside a proportion of tuition revenue to be used as ‘institutional aid’ to assist students with a demonstrated financial need. Undocumented Connecticut students, without immigration status, pay full tuition. They contribute towards this institutional aid, yet Connecticut does not allow undocumented students access to receive institutional aid.

After graduating from our state’s high schools, higher education remains out of reach. It doesn’t have to be this way! Our legislators have the power to change the way institutional aid is given out, so that undocumented students are able to get access to the scholarships their tuition helps fund.

For more information about how to take action and stand in solidarity with the undocumented students, check out the ct4adream.

Turning on the faucet, and having clean water come out, is a luxury that is easy to take for granted. The crisis in Flint, Michigan has helped us realize that safe, clean, water is a precious resource, even in the United States.  Over the last few month, Connecticut has also been talking about water, but not because it is toxic. Bloomfield’s water has been so well cared for that it is attractive to massive water bottling companies.  Niagara Bottling has been working with the Metropolitan District Commission to create a water bottling plant in Bloomfield.  This California- based corporation would bottle an enormous number of bottles a day- 1.8 million gallons, so much that concerned citizens are calling this a “water raid.”
 
Bottling this much water a day will have an effect on all of Connecticut, not just Bloomfield.  Recently, Senate Bill 422 was approved in the committee and needs to go to the floor for a vote.  According to the concerned citizens and environmental advocates: SB422 would
“Prioritize state residents in a drought and prohibit the export of water out of state in any Drought Emergency. Residents will be cutting water use while water bottling companies will be shipping it out-of-state. The DPH will step in only when our reservoirs are down to 10% capacity. Revise our state drought plan to protect residents. The only way to protect Connecticut's water while its state water plan is being developed is to pass SB422. (Clean Water Action, http://tinyurl.com/water322)
 
“ Without legislation, it will continue to be "open season" for corporate raids on our water. Who gets to decide the future of our water?  SB22 would put a moratorium on large water sales and level the playing field for water rates and special sewer charges for ALL customers. Help protect Connecticut's water. Urge your state representative and state senator to support SB422.”(Bloomfield Citizens,  http://tinyurl.com/water4716)
 
As Catholics, we believe that water is a fundamental right. Caring for creation is one of the seven principles of Catholic Social Teaching.  The next month will be a critical time to learn about the Niagara deal and help Connecticut form just policies around water usage to protect this sacred resource for both the present and the future.  

​There will be Department of Energy and Environmental Protection public hearings, legislative visits, and an email campaign that will be happening as part of the Bloomfield Citizens actions.  If you would like to stay up to date on this issue or be a part of advocating for a just water plan for Connecticut, please contact Sarah.Hillier@aohct.org
 

We have partnered with the Global Catholic Climate Movement to raise awareness about the climate change crisis in the Catholic community. We urge world leaders to commit to ambitious climate action and solve this urgent moral crisis (for more information, see climate change facts and Catholic teachings on climate change). Pope Francis said:“On climate change, there is a clear, definitive and ineluctable ethical imperative to act.” If you agree, click “Yes” below:”

This summer, a group of young adults from the archdiocese learned about Catholics Confront Global Poverty and decided to take action! In  late August, Claire, Adrian and Miriam visited Senator Murphy's office to advocate for current Catholics Confront Global Poverty issues of human trafficking, immigration reform, and climate change.      
Our Holy Father has called on us all to take urgent action in the face of increasing changes to our global climate in his recent encyclical "Laudato Si [Praised Be]: On the Care of Our Common Home". As Catholics, we cannot sit idly by when we see in the world around us the effects of changing weather patterns on poor and vulnerable people. Farmers in the dry Sahel region of Africa have shared with Catholic Relief Services that they are experiencing a much shorter rainy season, making it more difficult to grow the food they need.
In the near-term, the U.S. Congress must provide $500 million in this year's appropriations as a down payment to the $3 billion pledge our nation has made to the Green Climate Fund over the next 4 years. The Green Climate Fund is an international effort to help developing nations adapt to climate changes and mitigate their effects. Take Action Now: Send a message to your members of Congress and urge them to fully fund President Obama's $500 million request for the Green Climate Fund in this year's appropriation
CLICK HERE TO TAKE ACTION NOW!
"The climate is a common good, belonging to all and meant for all." Pope Francis (23)

WeAreSaltAndLight.org, a new website of the U.S. Bishops' Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development, helps Catholics respond to Jesus' call to be "salt of the earth" and "light of the world" (Mt. 5:13-16).

The website includes:

• More than 50 inspiring stories of real Catholic communities being Salt & Light (including several from our own Archdiocese!)
• Over 100 resources on praying, reaching out, learning and acting together
• Assessment tools to find ways to grow as faith-filled disciples at home and abroad
• A 1-minute introductory video
• Responsive design, for usability on handheld devices
  

WeAreSaltAndLight.org equips Catholics to live out Pope Francis' call to "go forth" on mission. It also seeks to help Catholic communities-especially parishes, dioceses, schools, universities, seminaries, religious communities, and ecclesial movements-to carry out the vision of the U.S. bishops' landmark document, Communities of Salt & Light: Reflections on the Social Mission of the Parish.

Legislation that would give certain basic labor protections to Connecticut domestic workers, including home care workers, has passed the state legislature and is awaiting a signature from Gov. Dannel Malloy. 

Currently, Connecticut law excludes people who work "in the domestic service of any person" from a host of labor protections, including:

• coverage under the state's minimum wage,
• eligibility for paid sick days and time-and-a-half overtime pay, and
• the ability to bring sexual harassment or discrimination complaints against their employer.

Unfortunately the bill that passed was watered down and, if signed, will only address the latter exemption: allowing domestic workers to file sexual harassment and discrimination complaints with the state Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities.  

We feel this is a big step in a positive direction, however, and look forward to continued work with the Brazilian Worker Center, the Naugatuck Valley Project, the CT Catholic Conference, and other allies working together to address the issue of workers' rights.

The timeliness of humanitarian assistance is critical. In addition to catastrophic loss of life, a singular event like an earthquake, especially for those in impoverished parts of our world, can derail a family's stability, deplete a lifetime of savings and push them over the edge into poverty. For communities, the devastation to infrastructure, economy and reserves can set back a generation. Immediate CRS assistance will serve as a foundation for a more comprehensive recovery effort.

How Can You Help?

Your support helps provide immediate relief. The following costs for relief items are estimates based on similar emergency relief efforts in the region

• $8 provides a water kit for a family. This includes a jerry can, a pail and aqua tabs for water purification.
• $15 provides an emergency shelter kit. This includes tarps and nails to use with local materials to build shelters.
• $22 provides household living supplies. This includes sleeping mats, blankets, utensils, plastics and a cooking pot.
• $28 provides hygiene kits. This includes soap, laundry detergent, a toothbrush, toothpaste and towels.

Catholic Relief Services appreciates your prayers and your support. Gifts can be made online at www.crs.org or by phone at (877) 435-7277. Checks may be sent to:CRS, PO Box 17090, Baltimore, MD  21297-0303, with "Nepal Earthquake" written on the memo line.

Prayer for the People of Nepal
Background Information Handout

For more about this and other critical CRS projects, visit CRS's NEW  Resource Center to find information and ministry tools for prayer, formation and action with a global perspective.