• Join others at a “Save GAMC” forum to strategize ways to sell legislators on the importance of saving GAMC. Saturday, January 23rd, at 10:00am at St. Edward’s Church just off Normandale Blvd. on 94th St. in Bloomington.
• Also mark down February 4th from 11:30am to 1:00pm — the first day of the 2010 legislative session — for a rally calling on legislators to fix the GAMC crisis and protect Minnesota’s most vulnerable adults by continuing to provide them with necessary health coverage.

Scholarship Description: The Ben Alden Memorial Scholarship for Social Justice was created to honor the legacy of Christ the King parishioner Ben Alden, whose life reflected his enduring commitment to social justice.  The annual award of $2,000 is given to a young person between the ages of 17 and 25.

Goals or Purpose of the Scholarship: To encourage young adults to explore ways they can live their faith while using Catholic social teachings to work for social justice.  The scholarship is intended to partially allay the expenses of the recipient in this pursuit, but is not need based.

Catholic Social Teaching: Belief in the inherent dignity of the human person is the foundation of all Catholic social teaching.  Among other things, this means that everyone in our society has the right to:

• adequate food and shelter (affordable housing)
• access to quality health care
• equal opportunity in education
• work that provides a sustaining wage
• participation in the political system

Scholarship Details:

Application Deadline:            March 1, 2010

Award Amount:                       $2,000

Eligibility:                                  Consideration for this scholarship shall be given to any youth, age 17 to 25, who has an affiliation with the Church of Christ the King (CTK) in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  This affiliation includes being a member of CTK, being a relative of a member of CTK, having attended CTK-STA (Carondelet Catholic) Grade School, or being a member of a CTK sponsored organization.

Selection Criteria:                     Preference will be given to students who demonstrate an interest in, and commitment to, exploring Catholic social teachings and how they can empower us to work for permanent social change.  Recipients will participate in a qualifying internship, project, or curriculum reflecting this commitment.   See “Examples of Qualifying Activities” below for more details.

Notification Date:                      All applicants will be notified of the final selection by April 1, 2010.

Administered by:                       The Sowers of Justice of the Church of Christ the King, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the Alden family.

Application Process:

1.  Before completing the application form, applicants should first review the examples of qualifying activities, provided below, and form a general idea of what activity they would be interested in pursuing.

2.  The applicants should then contact the Scholarship Committee via email or telephone to discuss their proposed activity and get feedback.  Email Mary Colbert at m.colbert@yahoo.com or call her at 612-926-7464 or visit our website to contact additional Committee members.  If requested, members can help with ideas and suggestions.

3.  Following this discussion, and if applicable, the applicants should contact the organization or institution with whom they wish to work or study and confirm availability of an internship/major/project for the time period chosen.

4.  Applicants should complete and submit the application form and a short essay describing their proposed activity and how it will enable them to work for permanent social change.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FORM.

Examples of Qualifying Activities:

Please note that the following examples of qualifying activities are only guidelines.  All proposals will be considered. It is anticipated that the work or study project will typically occur during a single semester or summer break.   Projects/activities will vary, but all should share a focus on promoting human rights through social change and provide the recipient an opportunity to learn and develop skills that will enable her/him to continue to work for change, either through activism or research.  While we recognize the importance of charitable works or direct service, we are encouraging young adults to go beyond charity and to work for permanent change.

• Volunteering with a non-partisan organization that furthers social justice.  If desired, applicants can choose from a list of sample organizations on our website, or can work with one of their own choosing.
• Completing a research project addressing one or more of the themes of Catholic social teaching either for such an organization or school.
• Majoring or minoring in peace and justice studies at a college or university.
• Developing an independent social justice project, possibly related to career work in this area.

Following are fictitious examples of projects for social change that would qualify:

For the summer, Mary will be volunteering at a homeless shelter several days a week to help with pre-schoolers.  She will assist in the administration of screenings for school readiness and tutor the children so they are better prepared for school in the fall.  She knows the importance of a good early education that contributes to a child’s success and plans to use this experience to advocate for vulnerable children in her future career.

Jim is taking a Peace Studies course that requires him to do a community research project.  He has proposed investigating the racial injustices in the housing market.  His focus will be the recent surge of foreclosures in his school’s city to determine if there were differences in the type of mortgages offered to black families vs. white families.  Jim hopes to bring awareness to racial justice.

Joan has always had a passion for the environment.  Next semester she has the opportunity for study-abroad in an African country.  She will be studying water quality and helping local communities learn to improve their health through better water treatment technology.

Phil is taking a gap year before starting college.  During that year, he will be working for a non-profit that is making organic farming and coop opportunities more available to working class people.  He plans to study agriculture and food production in college.  Healthy communities through access to healthy food is a life-goal for Phil.

Concluding Requirement:

So that the recipient’s work can be recognized and honored by the CTK parish, a concluding summary will be requested upon completion of his or her work/project/activity.  This final summary can be one or more of the following:  a one page report submitted to the Scholarship Committee, a presentation to a CTK group, or an article for the parish newsletter.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Does my activity or project have to be in Minnesota? No.

If I am getting credit for a social justice course or am being paid for social justice work from another source, can I still apply for this scholarship? Yes. We understand that some students will have peace & justice classes with similar assignments or you may be employed by a nonprofit organization for related work. In either case, you may still apply for this scholarship.  However, it is important to share this information in your application.

What kinds of projects are most encouraged? Please review the examples of qualifying activities on the information page and the story about the work that Ben Alden did for social justice.  Then contact the scholarship advisor Mary Colbert at 612-926-7464 or m.colbert@yahoo.com or any other CTK scholarship committee member listed on the website.

Can two or more of us share the award while working together? Yes, as long as the details are fully disclosed during your application process.

Is the award given in a lump sum or over time? The recipient will receive the award in a lump sum at the time the award is announced.

Can I volunteer for a political campaign? Yes, if it is a political campaign that addresses a specific issue, rather than a candidate or party, and is under the guidance of a non-partisan organization.

No, if it is a political campaign for the election of a public official, or if it is related to a partisan organization.

When does the work have to take place? Your project, internship, or study should take place the summer and/or school year following the award.

Where can I get more information about Catholic social teaching? Please check out these two websites:  www.osjspm.org  and www.shc.edu/theolibrary or simply search “Catholic social teachings” on the web.

The CTK Sowers of Justice and the CTK Parish Council invite you to a special showing of a remarkably powerful film about a family’s emotional journey and what they discover about the origins of slavery in America.

Join us on Thursday November 19th,  7:00 – 8:30pm in the Social Hall for

THIS IS A DIFFERENT STORY
Contrary to the commonly held view that the south is solely responsible for slavery, Traces of the Trade reveals that the largest slave-trading family in history was not from the south but from the north, ancestors of Producer Katrina Browne.  In this film, Browne and members of her family explore the history and legacy of the slave trade that produced wealth and prominence, and in the process they gain a powerful new perspective on the black/white divide.  It’s a fascinating film, a moving story that not only reveals the roots of our racial divide but also provides examples of actions taken to repair it.

The showing of Traces of the Trade will be followed by a brief discussion about how our history has been impacted by the slave trade, how it can be a catalyst for social change —and how it can lead to greater compassion and understanding among us all.

• Transfer $1 billion to the NHTF from funds yet to be tapped in TARP (the Troubled Asset Relief Program – also known as the bank bailout program).
• Limit rents paid by tenants in NHTF-assisted homes to 30% of their adjusted income (the “Brooke Provision”).

Also call Senator Klobuchar and ask her to co-sponsor S. 1731, the “Preserving Homes and Communities Act,” which was introduced by Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) and which has three co-sponsors so far, including Sen. Franken. S. 1731 would, among other things, transfer $1 billion to the NHTF from the “sale of warrants” that were required in TARP.

You can call 877-210-5351, the toll-free number for the congressional switchboard, and ask to be connected to the housing staffer for your representative and senator.     ]]> http://ctksowers.org/2009/10/15/help-make-some-calls-to-support-housing/feed/ 0 http://ctksowers.org/2009/10/12/cardinal-mccarrick-brings-catholic-bishops-perspective-to-senate-hearing-on-comprehensive-immigration-reform/ http://ctksowers.org/2009/10/12/cardinal-mccarrick-brings-catholic-bishops-perspective-to-senate-hearing-on-comprehensive-immigration-reform/#comments Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:47:24 +0000 dkelley http://ctksowers.org/?p=791 Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, Archbishop Emeritus of Washington, testified in Congress before the Senate Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees, and Border Security on Comprehensive Immigration Reform. The hearing sought faith-based perspectives on immigration reform.
           
“Our nation requires an immigration system that marries legal immigration with our long-term economic needs, the principle of family unity, and basic human rights. This will help restore the rule of law to our immigration system. Now, our immigration system accomplishes none of these goals,” said Cardinal McCarrick. 
           
The cardinal also addressed concerns regarding the rule of law and how it applies to immigration.  “In truth, the church position in favor of reform seeks to restore the rule of law and provide order and legality to an otherwise chaotic system,” said Cardinal McCarrick, a consultant to the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on Migration.
           
Cardinal McCarrick outlined the key elements the U.S. bishops believe should be addressed in any immigration reform legislation.

• Bring the undocumented population in this country out of the shadows and give them a chance, over time, to achieve permanent residency and citizenship.
• Preserve family unity by strengthening family-based immigration.
• Create legal avenues for migration, so that migrant workers, who labor in many important industries in our nation, are able to enter the country legally and in a safe and orderly fashion.
• Give immigrants their day in court by restoring due process protections removed in 1996 legislation.
• Work with neighboring countries and the international community to address the root causes of migration, so that immigrants and their families ultimately can remain in their home countries and support their families in dignity.

While recognizing that immigration has economic, social, and legal aspects which must be addressed in any reform legislation, Cardinal McCarrick expressed that, from the perspective of Catholic teaching, immigration is ultimately a humanitarian issue.
           
“In our view, our immigration laws ultimately must be judged by how they impact the basic dignity and God-given human rights of the human person,” Cardinal McCarrick said.
           
The cardinal also urged Senators keep the discourse “civil” and to refrain from “labeling and de-humanizing our brothers and sisters” nor “scapegoat them for unrelated economic or social challenges we face.”
           
Cardinal McCarrick also said the Catholic Church stands ready to assist the legislators as they “lead the nation toward a humane and just immigration system which both restores the rule of law and respects the inherent human dignity of the person.”

First, the all-important Wilder Survey, which is conducted every three years to determine the number of homeless families, youth and single adults in Hennepin County. This is a massive survey and needs as many participants as possible. If you’re available during the day or evening on Thursday, October 22nd, to help in conducting the survey, please reply to Caitlin Hozeny at chozeny@ststephensmpls.org, preferably by October 5th. Details and training information will be sent to you will be able to request a day or evening shift and a survey or youth, family or singles sites. A four-hour minimum shift is desired.

Second, a 2009 Federal Housing Policy Forum, on Friday, October 23rd, at the Wilder Center, 451 Lexington Parkway North in St. Paul, from 8:30am to 1:00pm. Featured speakers will include Mark Linton, Director of the Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, Colleen Landkamer, Minnesota State Director for Rural Development, and Minnesota’s own federal housing leaders — all of whom will give a comprehensive look at the recent legislation and what it means for Minnesota communities. Since space is limited, advance registration of $10 is requested by October 16th (contact Julie Johnson at the Minnesota Housing Partnership at JJohnson@mhponline.org). An audio conference will also be available for those who can’t attend.

Training is provided for all activities — but most of all the volunteer skills needed are a generous heart, a lively spirit, and a desire to nurture, motivate, and support these children as they develop skills for school, work and life.

• Patchwork Quilt Kid’s Club (grades 1-6) focuses on strengthening academic skills, reading, computer competency, nurturing relationships, and includes sharing a healthy snack together.  Mon-Fri 2:30 to 6:00pm, 3700 Bryant Ave. No.  Volunteers still needed Tue-Thurs for any time frame to help with reading, computers, snacks — or all of the above.
• Kwanzaa Teen Program (ages 13-19) runs Mon-Fri 4:00-8:00pm at 2100 Emerson Ave. N. Volunteers needed to provide a meal Mon, Tue, or Thurs any time between 4:00 and 7:00pm or to help in the computer lab at the 3700 Bryant location.
• Technology Outreach for teens and adults.  Computer assistance for teens and adults on Saturdays at 3700 Bryant Ave. No.

Sign up NOW to add your support to any one or more of these programs. Visit the    sign-up table outside the Social Hall after Mass on the following Sundays: October 4th, October 11th and October 18th or contact PQ Volunteer Coordinator Diane Beving at 612-270-0923 or dbeving@the patchworkquilt.org

Are you one of them? Sign the pledge: I’m a Christian for Comprehensive Immigration Reform.

Our broken immigration system creates a grim reality. Millions of immigrants in the United States can’t “get in line” to gain legal status. Others wait decades to be reunited with loved ones – often trading participation in their children’s childhood for offering their kids a better future. No one should have to make that choice.

Peoples’ lives hang in the balance. We can’t wait any longer to fix our immigration system.

Will you advocate for a better immigration system – one that respects human dignity and the rule of law? Sign the pledge.

Right now Congress is debating next steps on immigration reform.  People of faith have an urgent and unique role to play in supporting practical and humane policies that reflect the best of our moral values. Our biblical values insist that all people are made in the image of God and that we have an undeniable responsibility to love, care for, and seek justice for the stranger in our midst.