The Catholic Campaign for Human Development will convene its Diocesan Directors for a preview of "coming attractions" in the New Year, and to gain insights and feedback from our diocesan colleagues. We will look at the next implementation phase of CCHD's Strategic Directions approved in November, 2001, especially with regard to streamlining the grant-making process and expanding education, communications and resource development activities. We will also offer an opportunity for Diocesan Directors to meet and plan with the national staff assigned to their respective areas. We will hear from Fr. Bob Vitillo, our executive director.

Another component of our day together will offer an update on the third year of CCHD's major public education campaign that is focused on building greater awareness of poverty in America - utilizing TV, radio and print media, as well as our updated internet website, www.PovertyUSA.org.

Diocesan Directors will again be CCHD's guests for a mid-day lunch when a special recognition will be offered to an outstanding CCHD Diocesan Director. A day not to be missed! Plan to be with us!

For more information, contact: Mary Wright, 202-541-3374; mwright@usccb.org or Tim Collins, 202-541-3378; tcollins@usccb.org.

Join us for an evening of networking with new colleagues. We invite Diocesan Directors for CRS and CCHD to come together with the faculty and staff of Catholic colleges and universities to make new and important contacts for our social ministries at the diocesan and university levels. Sponsored by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Catholic Relief Services, The Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, and USCCB Social Development and World Peace.

For more information, contact Laurie Latuda at CRS (410-951-7346), Tim Collins at CCHD (202-541-3378), or Michael James at ACCU (202-457-0650).

Catholic Relief Services has designated HIV/AIDS as the priority issue for the agency for the next five years. Our gathering will provide an opportunity to learn the full breadth of what HIV/AIDS and its designation as the agency priority means for CRS' programming overseas and in the U.S., and to strategize together our best practices for bringing this important issue to our constituents. At the end of the session, Diocesan Directors will leave with ideas for concrete action to bring the issue to the attention of their parishes and constituencies. Come share with and learn from one another at this important strategy session. Continental breakfast will be served at 8:30 a.m.

For more information, contact Laurie Latuda at CRS: 410-951-7346 or llatuda@catholicrelief.org.

There are many innovative efforts on Catholic campuses to communicate the social doctrine of the Church. In this meeting of faculty, staff, administrators, and representatives from national Catholic service organizations we consider academic culture and campus opportunities to explore strategies in support of the explicit presence of Catholic social teaching at Catholic institutions of higher education. Renowned scholars, national leaders in catholic social services, and model campus programs and curricula are presented in this seminar to support the mission and character of Catholic higher education.

Sponsored by the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Catholic Relief Services, the USCCB Secretariat for Social Development and World Peace, and the USCCB Office for Higher Education and Campus Ministry.

A registration fee of $125 covers the cost for meeting meals and materials. For further information, visit www.accunet.org or contact Michael James, ACCU, at mjames@accunet.org, 202-457-0650.

We invite you to continue our journey. Building on the bishops' statement on Responsibility, Rehabilitation and Restoration, and using the 7 principles of Catholic Social Teaching, Detention Ministry Chaplains will come together for the second year to find ways of answering God's call "I was in prison and you visited me....". Our focus will be on restorative justice for the prisoner, the families of prisoners and victims, and, finally the ex-prisoner. Plan to bring information about legislation from around the country, as well as a report on national legislation.

For further information: call Mary D'Ambrogi at 410-547-5548, mdambrog@archbalt.org or Fr. Robert Schultz at 609-406-7400 ext. 5653.

We will explore and contemplate the role of the Church in assuring a sustainable supply of quality freshwater for humanity and nature, for all creation. We will look at past and present water resource policies and injustices in the light of sacred scripture and Catholic social teaching while framing a vision of just and sustainable ways to live with this powerful gift of water. We'll hear what dioceses are doing to improve relationships among God's creatures and this invaluable community resource.

For more information visit our website: www.ncrlc.com or contact Tim Kautza: 515-270-2634; ncrlc3@aol.com.

The last year and a half has brought a renewed discussion on national security in the public arena. Many Roundtable members have reported becoming involved with immigration justice issues because of incidents involving immigrants and national security issues. Debate on the Office for Homeland Security continues as worker organizations express reservations about the removal of securities that other federal employees enjoy. Families feel a loss of economic security in the weakness of the economy and serial corporate scandals. Our nation is at the brink of a war touted as promoting security. But whose security? At what cost is security being promoted? To whom?


Keynote Speakers, the Rev. Bryan Massingale and Rep. Marcy Kaptur, will engage us in a process of information, analysis, reflection and response on these questions. Roundtable members will lead breakout sessions on the issues of immigration, the safety net, responses to war, responses to poverty, and cultural conflict.

Program begins at 3:00 p.m. on February 8 and ends at 3:00 p.m. on February 9.

Join Friends and Colleagues in honoring Rev. Msgr. Philip J. Murnion, Recipient of the 2003 Harry A. Fagan Roundtable Award

On the occasion of his fortieth anniversary of ordination, The Roundtable invites the public to honor its second Secretary, a priest who has been at the forefront of Catholic social action, from the March on Washington, to the Catholic Committee on Urban Ministry (CCUM), to the Roundtable.

Friends and special guests will toast (and perhaps roast) Msgr. Murnion, beginning with a 6:00 p.m., reception, followed by dinner at 7:00 p.m. We hope that you will be able to attend this extra-ordinary event.

If you wish to place a congratulatory advertisement in the journal being prepared for this occasion, please contact Mr. Jeffry Korgen, Secretary, The Roundtable; 212.431.7825 (voice); 212-274.9786 (fax); roundtable@nplc.org

Join with the Catholic-Labor Network to reflect on the spiritual, theological, and practical aspects of the Catholic labor tradition. Meet with other folks working with and on behalf of low-wage workers.

For more information, contact: Thom Shellabarger, SDWP, 202-541-3189; shellabarger@usccb.org

Join us for a breakfast discussion on how we can better involve African American Catholics in our diocesan social action work.

For more information, contact: Celia Jackson of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee at 414-769-3389; jacksonc@archmil.org.

This year's breakfast will feature the work and testimony of JustFaith, a project of the Parish Social Ministry Section. For the last two years, JustFaith has been offered across the country and with some startling results. Come listen to the voices of some of those impacted and the new
insights about social ministry that have been birthed by the successes of the program.

For more information, contact: Kristi Schulenberg, 703-549-1390, ext. 121 or kschulenberg@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

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