#ccusa

[locustheologicus]

Catholic Charities USA: Oklahoma City

The Catholic Charities USA conference took place on September 16-19, 2024, in Oklahoma City. The conference brought us to a land that was weirdly beautiful. We took a journey where we shared in their history, their tragedy, their hope, and social renewal. We visited their cowboy museum (pic 7), we saw the site of the 1995 bombing of their federal building (pic 8&9). We saw the newly opened national shrine to Bl. Stanley Rother (pic 2&3) where we walked to Tepeyac hill and venerated la Virgen de Guadalupe (pic 4). Of coursem we also saw some of the amazing social ministries that Oklahoma City Catholic Charities offers (pics 6-7).

The newly built offices were designed creatively to respond to the emergency needs that would arise. They are equipped with access to potable water, emergency power and WiFi outside in order to assist the community in the midst of a disaster. They also have a warehouse that can transform into a 60 bed emergency shelter if necessary. They designed the building to be powered with geo-thermal energy and incorporated sun and green spaces in the spirit of Laudato Si’. They have a chapel dedicated to Mother Theresa of Calcutta and at their reception there is a powerful quote from her that guides their mission:

Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you. - Mother Theresa

Our sessions involved going over parish engagement and community collaboration. I also went to sessions on financial literacy and workforce development. The first picture has a presentation from the new CEO Kerry Robinson. She shared with us her insights in visiting many local Catholic Charities agencies throughout the nation and from those visits she highlighted six values that she feels defines who we are.

Conviviality - the idea that we coexist with the larger community as freinds to one another; being hospitable and integrative with those we serve and partner with.

Creativity - the recognition that all our agencies are able to adapt to the local reality and can design programs and services based on these realities and the crisis that emerge.

Tenacity - our ability to persevere in providing services through great social challenges and unbelievable struggles that are clients and communities face.

Magnanimity - our ability to incredibly generous and open to the people we serve and to the communities we are a part of.

Hope - we are inspired to do our work from the hope-filled message of the gospel. We are guided in the belief that creation can and will be redeemed by our service to one another.

Reverence - our commitment to the holy dignity that is imbued throughout all creation and especially with those that we serve.

In the spirit of creativity and magnanimity, I thought about the women sanctuary project that Catholic Charities in Oklahoma established in an old mission church. Catholic Charities rebuild that mission church (pic 6) to accommodate the growing needs of women and children. They maintained the mission architecture, but expanded it to build greater spaces for women and children to take showers, wash clothes, take classes, have access to food, clothes, and internet resources and rest.

Those values guided how many of us discussed the programs we each were looking at networking with. I both shared and was attentive to how we embraced these values within the area of parish engagement in social ministries, financial literacy, and workforce development. The conversations allowed us to network with national partners to receive modules from programs like Rework America Alliance, UNIDOSUS, CFPB and others. These modules and partnerships can help us improve programs we need to offer the communities in need throughout Brooklyn and Queens. At the end of the conference Brian Corbin (the last picture) presented on the history of our mission and methodology (see, judge, act) as we discussed what we, the local Catholic Charity communities, want to see with the strategic planning process CCUSA will be going through.

Part of the concluding discussion we had was the perception that Catholic Charities has both in the public eye and with its member agencies. In reviewing it's marketing and branding strategy we asked questions concerning what we members need from CCUSA in order to help be a resource for us and a useful public presence that can help bring awareness to our local agencies. As a resource, our discussion suggested that it needs to embrace a useful internal social media platform so that we members can have visual best practices and tools for the work that we do. If the platform (for now CC connect) has useful tools and resources that we can take and adapt, then many of us will gladly participate with the larger community through this platform. As for our mission and identity, this will be an ongoing discussion throughout the process. Our mission is clear in that it is based on the social mission found in the Gospel and specifically the works of mercy. But as to what we do, we need greater flexibility with how this will be presented. We are local agencies that answer to the diocese and the needs of our community. We apply the principle of subsidiarity in this way and it will be valuable for the local community to know how we operate within the diocesan structure. But CCUSA should be able to provide institutional solidarity with each of our agencies to enhance the work that we do while defining itself as the national advocacy think-tank for the issues we face. It will be interesting to see how we move forward as we go through this process.

Along with parishes, hospitals, and schools/universities the Catholic Church has always had a thriving social service componant that is very much part of our religious identity. In the past 300 years (since 1727) this has been institutionalized by agencies which we now identify as Catholic Charities here in the United States or Caritas Internationally. There are other Catholic agencies that many of us partner with including Catholic Relief Services, the Catholic Campaign for Human Developmennt and the St. Vincent DePaul Society but Catholic Charities has been the official diocesan arm of domestic charitable work. The needs are different in every location so we strive to be adaptable to the issues we face. The Brooklyn/Queens diocese has an amazing history of promoting this specific aspect of our Church's mission. Here in Brooklyn/Queens we are attentive to providing senior housing to our elderly population, early childhood programs for our struggling families, case management and food distribution for our low-income communities, social services and resources for pregnant women, and legal service and case management for our growing migrant community.

Through CCUSA we are part of a larger network of Catholic social services and this allows us to network with one another.

[ourpickwickclub]

B is gonna be on CCUSA again with Lon Helton on January 18-19!!!!!

Someone please record!!!!

https://countrycountdownusa.com/co-hosts/

Thanks.

- B

[fadingsunsjvj]

“Human Dignity is Not Dependent on a Person's Citizenship or Immigration Status” | USCCB

[ventur-pipiol]

Descubre la Mejor Experiencia en Nuestro Campamento de Verano

Un campamento de verano no es solo un lugar donde los niños y jóvenes pasan sus vacaciones; es un espacio para crecer, aprender y vivir aventuras inolvidables. En el campamento de verano de CCUSA de Ventur Pipiol, te ofrecemos una experiencia única que combina diversión, aprendizaje y la oportunidad de trabajar en resorts mientras mejoras tu inglés. Este artículo te invita a conocer más sobre lo que hace especial a nuestro campamento y por qué deberías unirte.

Un Espacio para la Diversión y el Aprendizaje

En el campamento de verano de Ventur Pipiol, cada día está lleno de actividades diseñadas para estimular tanto el cuerpo como la mente. Desde deportes al aire libre hasta talleres creativos, los participantes disfrutan de un entorno seguro y enriquecedor donde pueden descubrir nuevas habilidades y pasiones. Además, se fomenta la convivencia y el trabajo en equipo, lo que ayuda a fortalecer las habilidades sociales y la confianza en uno mismo.

Mejora Tu Inglés Mientras Te Diviertes

Una de las mayores ventajas de nuestro campamento es la oportunidad de mejorar el inglés de manera práctica y divertida. A través de talleres interactivos y actividades guiadas, los participantes pueden practicar el idioma en un ambiente natural y relajado. Para aquellos interesados en trabajar en resorts, esta habilidad es especialmente valiosa, ya que abre puertas a nuevas oportunidades laborales tanto en México como en el extranjero.

Trabaja en Resorts y Adquiere Experiencia Laboral

El programa de campamento de verano de Ventur Pipiol no solo es ideal para jóvenes que buscan diversión y aprendizaje, sino también para aquellos que desean adquirir experiencia laboral. Colaboramos con resorts que ofrecen puestos a nuestros participantes, permitiéndoles ganar experiencia real en un ambiente profesional. Esto no solo enriquece su currículum, sino que también les da la confianza para enfrentar futuros desafíos laborales.

Vive una Experiencia Inolvidable

Lo que realmente distingue al campamento de verano de Ventur Pipiol es la experiencia inolvidable que ofrecemos. Cada participante se convierte en parte de una gran familia, donde se crean amistades duraderas y recuerdos que quedarán grabados para siempre. Desde noches de fogata hasta actividades en la naturaleza, cada momento está lleno de emoción y significado.

¿Por Qué Elegir Ventur Pipiol?

Ubicación única: Rodeado de un entorno natural impresionante.

Actividades variadas: Desde deportes hasta programas culturales.

Enfoque educativo: Aprende y mejora habilidades mientras te diviertes.

Oportunidades laborales: Trabaja en resorts y enriquece tu experiencia profesional.

Únete a la Aventura Hoy

No dejes pasar la oportunidad de ser parte del campamento de verano de Ventur Pipiol. Vive la emoción, mejora tu inglés y adquiere habilidades que te acompañarán toda la vida. Para más información, visita nuestra página oficial: Ventur Pipiol Campamento de Verano. ¡Te esperamos para que formes parte de esta increíble experiencia!

Explorar el mundo de los campamentos de verano nunca había sido tan emocionante como con Ventur Pipiol. No solo es un campamento, es un viaje hacia el crecimiento personal y la diversión sin límites.

Contacto

Teléfono: 01 221 323 3990

Dirección: Boulevard Capitán Carlos Camacho Espíritu #130, Col. Gabriel Pastor 2da Secc. C.P. 72425 Puebla, Pue.

[holdingbee]

just got placed at a camp!!! ya boi is going to texas!!!

[cricketerbook]

Cricket Back in America https://youtu.be/0amdxNbMjqc #CRICKET #cricketbackinamerica #usacricket #ccusa https://www.instagram.com/p/CBI-O36hURH/?igshid=1ab7fv6duva83

[itsakatething]

Today is #camptshirtday. Being part of the @campvega staff changed my life in way I’ll never truly be able to imagine. Camp gave me friendships, memories and happiness that will always last a lifetime and a special place to always call home, no matter how long it’s been since I left. Happy Camp T-Shirt Day! 💚

[a-kiwi-and-his-cabin]

An Adventure To Remember

That’s a wrap!

Hiking Half Dome was a seemingly fitting way to end my time at camp. If 2016 Dylan could see me now. What I have achieved in four summers at camp, would not have been possible without a number of people.

Obviously, Skylake Yosemite Camp for one but how did I come to know about them or even summer camp in the USA in general? A family friend, Fiona Mitchell, spent two years at a summer camp in the USA. Her stories had me hooked. They seemed too good to be true. What she said to me has stuck with me.

“I know this sounds too good to be true and that I am hyping this up, but I am really not. Trust me, this will be the best thing you will do.”

Yep, she was right.

So how do I make this happen?

Fiona introduced me to Camp Counselors USA (CCUSA NZ). They are a Visa Sponsor company that specializes in sending New Zealanders to summer camp in the USA. After just one phone call with them, I felt right at home and so excited for my journey. They gave me a family-like feel to their company and it just felt so right choosing them.

Did I know about Skylake before being placed there?

Nope! As I applied early in the season, I was months away from the Camp Job Fair so CCUSA explained to me their application process and based on my application, skills and experience with children, they would find me the best placement for me – and they did. I can’t imagine my life without Skylake – it truly is a home away from home.

Why did I go year after year?

Trust me. After doing it once, you will have that itch to go back. Your summer camp becomes a second family and I am not usually one for the slang, but not going back would give me FOMO. Not only does summer camp introduce you to so many opportunities to grow professionally and personally but you also have the chance to see some of America’s hidden treasures through travel.

Yes, I went back to camp each summer to see my friends, hang out with some of the COOLEST kids you will meet and to travel more of America but each year, camp allowed me to grow as person through giving me senior roles and responsibilities.

From Mountain Biking to Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.

2016. Mountain Bike Activity Counselor. General Cabin Counselor.

2017. Kayak Activity Counselor. Camper In Leadership Training Counselor.

2018. Full Time Boat Driver. Yes, that’s a thing at camp.

2019. Special Programs Coordinator. Plans Avenger’s Themed Days.

Four summers at camp allowed me to progress up the ladder through various leadership roles. From going in 2016 for what was meant to be a one-time experience, turned into a career path for which I am now on, helping other New Zealanders experience a cultural exchange in America, through summer camp with CCUSA NZ.

Advice

My biggest advice to anyone thinking about some work and travel? JUST. DO. IT. You will never regret it. A cultural exchange program in America gives a safe and unique environment that allows you to be adventurous, spontaneous and lets you be you. You will walk away with some of the best friends and memories that will last a lifetime. You may discover hidden talents, interests and hobbies previously not known. You may find a new career path out of it just as I have done. You might change the life of a camper or they might change your life, just as mine did to me. You will never know unless you just do it. Your summer camp family is out there!

                                                                                                                            Dylan Lynch – 11th August, 2019.

[czarsportzglobal]

Associates galore on show for 11th edition of US Open T20 in Florida The 11th edition of the US Open T20, the ICC approved T20 League organised by Cricket Council USA (

[catholicprisonministries]

Criminal justice reform. Ending capital punishment. Care for creation. Economic justice. Just migration policies. Upholding human dignity. Standing with refugees and other displaced people. Take concrete action. Advocate and make a difference. Check our partners for advocacy: https://www.catholicprisonministries.org/advocacy/ #prisonministry #jailministry #massincarceration #restorativejustice #criminaljusticereform #jrs #jrsusa #catholicprisonchaplains #usccb #catholiccharitiesusa #ccusa #catholicmobilizingnetwork #jesuitswest #beajesuit #catholicprisonministriescoalition #cpmc #jesuitconference #jesuitconferenceofficeofjusticeandecology #popefrancis #prisonreform https://www.instagram.com/p/B2maqs_gxuR/?igshid=in6nsg1mm6c0

[locustheologicus]

Catholic Advocacy 2025:

As we begin a new political administration that promises to challenge many of our cherished Catholic social issues it may be time to offer a primer on the need to promote legislative advocacy within parish social ministry. Our Church has a prophetic voice and while our Magistarium and Bishops may offer their insights on these issue through their teachings, in a democracy it is the role of the Catholic faithful, the citizens, to advocate on these issues to their legislative representatives. A parish social ministry ought to promote some type of parish advocacy committee that voices these social principles and concerns along with their own community experience. This is perhaps the genius behind why Pope Francis has been using the term “political charity” when describing this activity. Dismayed by ideologies that dismiss political systems and instead  support unregulated economic forces Pope Francis calls for a spirit of political engagement that is in dialogue with charitable institutions.  

Whereas individuals can help others in need, when they join together in initiating social processes of fraternity and justice for all, they enter the “field of charity at its most vast, namely political charity”. This entails working for a social and political order whose soul is social charity. Once more, I appeal for a renewed appreciation of politics as “a lofty vocation and one of the highest forms of charity, inasmuch as it seeks the common good”. (FT: #180)   

The term, “political charity,” informs us of the obligation to justice, an obligation that calls to promote legislative advocacy, and the importance of promoting justice that is influenced by charity. Pope Francis invites us all to be involved with the political system, an invitation that is repeated every four years when the US Bishops disseminate their pastoral document “Faithful Citizenship.” The concept of political charity defines Catholic advocacy in a way that transcends partisan ideology; it is based on two very important elements, the strength of our social principles and the experience of our social ministries.

I have shared on this social teaching before on posts where I describe what it means to be a Catholic Citizen for example. For now I want to offer resources and the latest legislative asks from groups in affiliation with the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB). In the video above and below the Franciscan Action Network (FAN) and the Ignatian Solidarity Network (ISN) share the resources they have for doing legislative advocacy. Please check these resources out.

The Circle of Protection (Bread for the World and its broader coalition of organizations which include the USCCB), the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering (CSMG) and Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) offer their legislative priorities for the 119th Congress and specific asks based on current legislation. Here are the three priorities for the Circle of Protection, the letter follows (CCUSA's legislative priorities are below).

The Farm Bill: Congress should steer clear of cuts to SNAP, and there are bipartisan opportunities for poverty-reducing improvements in the Farm Bill. - The Circle opposes the House Agriculture Committee’s version of the Farm Bill, because it would cut $30 billion from future SNAP benefits;

Appropriations for next year: Congress should give priority to poverty-focused programs such as WIC, housing, and international aid. - The Circle also opposes the deep cuts in poverty-focused programs in the appropriations bill that is now moving through the House

Grounded in what the Bible teaches about social justice, the Circle of Protection leaders are united in support of higher taxes on high-income people and corporations: They insist that any tax breaks for corporations should be paired with an expansion of the Child Tax Credit for the poorest families. - The Circle urges the Senate to bring the House’s proposed expansion of the Child Tax Credit to the Senate floor and pass it.

Here is the video on Ignatian Advocacy 101 along with the policy priorities of CSMG and CCUSA.

CSMG has similar asks but it is also worth noting them here. At the end of January many diocesan Catholic members will be adding their voice on these issues to Congress as they advocate support vulnerable families by:  

Ensuring that all tax and budget decisions support children and families and help them flourish, especially families experiencing poverty.

Passing Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations now and ensuring the highest levels of funding possible for international poverty- and hunger-reducing development and humanitarian assistance in Fiscal Years 2025 and 2026.

Preserving and supporting humanitarian protections for vulnerable families, including refugee resettlement.

Catholic Charities USA offers the following legislative priorities for the 119 Congress.

CCUSA calls on Congress to prioritize programs that address the protection of all human life; religious liberty; poverty and racial justice; housing and homelessness; food and nutrition; economic security; climate change; support for disaster relief; support for children, youth and seniors; and immigration and refugee policies.

Click on the link below to read the legislative priorities and I want to raise the following on disaster relief and immigration reform.

Enact measures enumerated in the Reforming Disaster Recovery Act bill, introduced in the 117th Congress, and the Reforming Disaster Recovery Act of 2019, passed in the House in 2019.

Provide appropriations for the Department of Agriculture’s Emergency Grants to Assist Low-Income Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers (42 U.S.C. 5177a).

Expand funding levels for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP).

Provide additional funding for Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and CDBG Disaster Recovery funds.

Create new legal pathways for entry into the U.S. to reduce irregular migration, reunite families, staff struggling industries and boost the economy.

Protect individuals who were brought to this country as children by continuing the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy.

Provide permanent legal status and a pathway to citizenship for essential workers, including frontline healthcare and agricultural workers, teachers and others who reside in this country under DACA, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) protection.

Improve access to Employment Authorization Documents for all immigrants by adequately resourcing the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to enable the agency to shorten the processing time of Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) applications. Reducing the waiting period from 180 days to 30 days for EAD asylum applicants would also improve access.

Provide adequate funding for refugee admissions and resettlement to at least the historical average of 95,000.

Strengthen border security with policies that are proportional and just, ensuring that they are implemented in a humane and orderly manner and in coordination with state and local government, as well as faith-based and nonprofit service providers.

Robustly fund alternatives to detention that are trauma-informed and provide immigrants with community-based support to enable them to comply with legal obligations.

Let's be honest, many of these policies will not have a chance in getting passed, be that as it may it is important for us, as Catholics, to add our voice to the prophetic teachings of our Church and advocate on these policies. The legislators, whether they vote with us or not, need to hear that many of us care for our brothers and sisters in need who suffer from poverty, economic and social insecurities, natural disasters, or unjust anti-immigrant policies.

The USCCB also offers the following step-by-step resource for doing advocacy.

[ourpickwickclub]

Carly’s push week is 3/18-19. She’s on CCUSA. So her single will have peaked by the time CMTs roll around. Perfect time for her new single. I like NB. It’s catchy and fun and as good as some of the other noms. I’m a Carrie fan and do not like IHMH. Keith’s songs all sound alike. Or Luke’s awful Country meh. We’re so critical of Blake but he has such fun performing that song. Also the Voice ratings are as good as anything else. Still won its night. Just can’t fall back on that anymore. I agree with anon who pointed out the spring Voice really wasn’t supposed to happen but after the epic fail of ASC.. They scrambled to fit the Voice in around already scheduled shows. But I’m going to enjoy Blake’s last hurrah. So pleased Niall is on. Such a fun balance with him.

[agirlnamedally]

JUST HAD MY CCUSA INTERVIEW and my (very very cool) camp-coordinator told me she was going to get me placed for sure!!! 👻💖💖💖 Huuuge love to you for inspiring me to do this!!

Ahhh I’m so excited for you!! You have got to keep me posted 🥰

[wrooom]

Nissan GT-R (AJM CCUSA) 

By AJM STUDIOS

[cricketerbook]

MAQ STADIUM - Historic day in Chicago Today will be an historic day in Chicago when the sod is turned to commission the Maq Cricket Stadium. Cricket in this part of the United States will never be the same after today as Mahammad Qureshi has made a significant investment that will take the game to the next level. With three cricket grounds to come into full effect in the not too distant future, people in Chicago can be right in thinking that this is an opening to having international cricket played at this venue in Hanover Park. #chicago #maq #maqsportscomplex #sportscomplex #maqtv #cricket #usopen #t20cricket #t10cricket #t20sports #cricketerbook #ccusa https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv7BxR-hb30/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=xexx67bq6bgl

[bsbear]

Isn't it weird though, for people who obviously don't believe in Blake and Gwen, that they are fanatically following everything B and G do? I mean, I myself have just heard B's comments in the CCUSA countdown and anon has already had time to send an ask about it 🤔

They are closeted fans 🥰

Mostly like they stalk the blogs and fan twitters to be so updated on Shefani news.