Greetings friars and friends,

May God give you peace!  The tragedy in Haiti continues to move us, as do the stories of those who have survived and those working long hours to provide relief. The horror of the earthquake and the spirit of the Haitian people are clearly revealed in an account from an American priest at NCR Online, and a Catholic Relief Services worker, both living and ministering in Haiti.

OFM friars are present in Haiti, and all of them, fortunately, survived the earthquake, though their buildings were damaged or destroyed. To read their accounts and see pictures go to http://www.ofm.org/01docum/hait22eng.pdf and http://www.ofm.org/01docum/hait23eng.pdf . Additional information is also available on the OFM website.  If you're interested in assisting the friars in their recovery efforts go to our SJB province website or to that of the Order.

One of the Order's most committed friars is once again serving time for crossing the line at the School of the Americas in November. Louis Vitale, OFM, is currently in the Crisp County Jail in Cordele, GA.  You can read about the trial and sentencing at SOA Watch. Learn more about those sentenced and find Louie's mailing address at http://www.soaw.org/article.php?id=1621 .

The February issue of St. Anthony Messenger has a great article on Fair Trade, the movement that pays producers of products in poor countries a fair price. It features parishes who are promoting Fair Trade products.

Greetings friars and friends,

May God give you peace!  The tragedy in Haiti has focused the eyes of the world on the incredible poverty of the Haitian people. We have received numerous accounts of the situation as well as ways to assist. I list some of them here.

A video interview with Archbishop Dolan, chairman of Catholic Relief Services (CRS), on what he has heard from CRS staff on the ground: http://cnsblog.wordpress.com/2010/01/13/video-interview-with-archbishop-dolan-about-haiti-relief/

An account of the death of the Archbishop of Haiti and concern for missing seminarians and clergy:  http://www.zenit.org/article-28039?l=english

Jubilee USA is asking us to call the White House to request that in addition to relief efforts our government also cancel the rest of Haiti's debt and provide temporary protective status for Haitians living in the U.S. who may be facing deportation. http://www.jubileeusa.org/haiti/haitiaction.html

If you'd prefer sending a letter instead of a phone call to President Obama about these concerns, you can do that at the website of Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL).  http://capwiz.com/fconl/issues/alert/?alertid=14551696.

A report of aid efforts in progress: http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_14178606?source=rss

A report of needs and agencies accepting donations: http://www.swtimes.com/articles/2010/01/14/news/news011410_02.txt

I would suggest donations be made to organizations who already have a presence in Haiti such as Catholic Relief Services and the Red Cross.

Greetings friars and friends,

May God give you peace!  The Senate will begin debating their Health Care bill after the Thanksgiving break. It's critical that we make it clear to our Senators that adequate health care is a right (not a privilege only for those who can afford it) as Pope John XXIII stated in Pacem in Terris in 1963. You can find a summary of Catholic teaching on Health Care in an October NCR article by Richard McBrien.

You can send a letter to your Senators at the website of The Franciscan Action Network by clicking the Take Action button. You might want to include in your letter that you believe health care is a right, not a privilege; that even with health insurance many people cannot afford to pay what insurance doesn't cover; that skyrocketing health care costs need to be brought  under control. There are a number of related articles below that may be of interest.

On another topic, the U.S. Bishops will be presenting a webinar on migration, Christ's Many Faces: Pastoral Care of Migrants, Refugees and Travelers in the US Catholic Church Today, December 7, 11 am - 4 pm EST. Instructions for participating are on the site.

Articles that may be of interest:

Drug Makers Raise Prices in Face of Health Care Reform

Why Congress' Health Care Bills Are Better Than You Think

Goldman Sachs Report: Watered-Down Senate Health Bill a Windfall for Big Insurance: Shows how proposed health care reform will decrease profits of insurance companies; the reason companies are fighting reform.

We're thankful for your many efforts to bring justice and peace to our suffering world. May you have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Greetings friars and friends,

May the Lord give you peace!  In these difficult economic times, word comes from Forbes that the 400 richest Americans actually increased their wealth by $30 billion!  Les Leopold of AlterNet reminds us that the progressive taxes of the 1950s - 60s helped prevent what he calls "wild extremes of wealth",  thus narrowing the huge income/wealth gap. He also suggests what the additional tax income from the wealthy today could be used for.  

This was more in line with our Catholic value of supporting the common good. Scripture scholar Walter Brueggemann, in a talk given in Cincinnati in July, uses Scripture to remind us of the values that must shape economic policy today. He proposes that a "neighborly economy" must replace "a market economy of competitive devouring."

The desire for wealth is also a factor in our current health care crisis. Insurance companies are concerned about profit, and a lot of it!  In Maine, WellPoint subsidiary Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield requested an 18.5 % rate hike, which was refused by the state. So Anthem has taken the battle to court. While Anthem makes huge profits, insured individuals are paying more than $13,000 yearly in premiums and deductibles before any benefits actually kick in. Make sure to see the 5-minute excerpt from the Sick for Profit documentary at the end of the article.

Our Catholic Church teaches that health care is a right and should be affordable and accessible to all.  You can sign on to a letter urging health care reform at  NETWORK's website. It will be delivered to Congress October 20.  You can also send a letter to your Senators about the health care bill that should be coming before them soon.

There are several environmental organizations that make it easy to write to Congress in support of legislation that protects the environment. Some recommended ones are:

Earthjustice, www.earthjustice.org/action;

Union of Concerned Scientists, www.ucsaction.org;

Natural Resources Defense Council, www.nrdc.org/action/default.asp;

Sierra Club, whistler.sierraclub.org/action/actionindex.jsp.

NETWORK, a National Catholic Social Justice Lobby, has an easy way to stay updated on the issues in Congress and let your Congresspersons know how you want them to vote.You can go to the NETWORK web site, www.networklobby.org, click on Legislative Action Center and get information about bills and issues and also NETWORK’s position on each.You can then directly write your senator or representative, even if you’re not sure who they are. All you need is your zip code. You can go directly to the letter-writing site at capwiz.com/networklobby.

Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) has a similar site at capwiz.com/fconl/home/.