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WASHINGTON (May 21, 2004)
Summer and Stewardship for Young Catholics
As the school doors close, Catholic high school and college students are off to participate in various work camps, home-building projects, environmental projects, and poverty initiatives, all in response to the call to witness to their faith. Stewardship and Young Adults: An Invitation to Help Change the World, a new brochure from USCCB Publishing, offers young adults insights into what Catholic stewardship is and how to respond to the call of Catholic stewardship. "Part of our faith teaches us to give service to the community," says Bruce Egnew, USCCB Associate General Secretary. "With a break in the academic routine, students have a chance to continue the rich tradition of 'giving back' the blessings they have the rest of the year. "The brochure is available from USCCB Publishing (800-235-8722)."
Bruce Egnew is available at begnew@usccb.org or 202/541-3105.
World Refugee Day Calls Attention to International Plight
On UN World Refugee Day, June 20, the U.S. Catholic bishops will call for renewed efforts by the United States to protect and support the more than 14 million refugees worldwide. Their statement, Welcoming the Stranger Among Us: University and Diversity, adopted by the full body of bishops in 2001, was met with a precipitous drop in U.S. refugee resettlement, post 9/11. "Without leadership," says Mark Franken, Executive Director, USCCB Migration and Refugee Services, "refugees worldwide will continue to languish in camps, deficient of short term facilities much less long term planning." The theme of this year's Refugee Day "A Place to Call Home: Rebuilding Lives in Safety and Dignity," stresses that U.S. domestic and foreign policy can and should protect the rights of refugees, without endangering national security.
Mark Franken is available at mfranken@usccb.org or 202/541-3169.
New Book's Focus: Forgiveness
At a time of ethnic and nationalistic conflicts, and a high level of apprehensiveness about revenge, retaliation and terrorism, a new book published by the united states conference of catholic bishops (usccb) finds that forgiveness has proved to be a vital element in post war reconciliation. The book is an outgrowth of woodstock theological center project, in which the usccb participated. "Forgiveness in international politics uses a variety of historical and cultural examples to show that forgiveness can be an important element in bringing about a just and lasting peace," says Gerard Powers, Director, USCCB Office of International Justice and Peace.
Gerard Powers is available at gpowers@usccb.org or 202/541-3196