Cowardice asks the question - is it safe? Expediency asks the question - is it political? Vanity asks the question - is it popular? But Conscience asks the question - is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe…nor political…nor popular…but one must take it because it is right.– Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

 

It is necessary that all participate, each according to his [her] position and role, in promoting the common good. This obligation is inherent in the dignity of the human person.  As far as possible citizens should take an active part in public life"  -- Catechism of the Catholic Church

 

 

 

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Local Advocacy Opportunities

 

 

 

Iowa Catholic Conference-530 42nd www.iowacatholicconference.org

The public voice of Iowa Bishops.  Contact Tom Chapman at 243-6256 more information.

 

A Mid-Iowa Organizing Strategy (AMOS)

A community, issues-based ecumenical group made up of member churches.  For more information on St. Theresa’s involvement, click on AMOS on the Social Concerns menu to the left, or contact John McMichael at the church office at 279-4654.

 

Catholic Peace Ministry-  http://www.catholicpeaceministry.org/

An ecumenical group devoted to peace and justice.  For more information contact Jeffrey Weiss at 255-8114

 

Catholic Worker House-  http://www.desmoinescatholicworker.org/

Catholic Worker movement implements the teachings of the Gospels by living their promise of mercy, compassion, justice, and love. For more information contact Frank Cordaro frank.cordaro@gmail.com

 

Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement-2001 Forest Ave  http://www.iowacci.org/

Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement organizes people of all ethnic backgrounds to create social, economic and environmental justice in their local communities.  For more information call 282-0484.

 

Des Moines Area Social Action Committee (DMASAC)
Des Moines Catholic parish social action groups meet quarterly to raise awareness on current issues.  Contact Roxy Ventling at rventling@msn.com

 

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) Iowa  http://www.namiiowa.org/

Iowa’s voice on mental illness.  Call 254-0417 for more information

 

National Catholic Rural Life Conference  http://www.ncrlc.com/

The National Catholic Rural Life Conference headquarters is located here in Des Moines.  NCRLC applies the teachings of Jesus Christ for the betterment of rural America and care of God's creation. We provide spiritual, educational and advocacy assistance to help rural people shape their own destinies and lead lives of dignity.

 

 

peopl6cNational & International Advocacy Opportunities

 

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/actionops.shtml

is an assembly of the hierarchy of the United States and the U.S. Virgin Islands who jointly exercise certain pastoral functions on behalf of the Christian faithful of the United States. The purpose of the Conference is to promote the greater good which the Church offers humankind, especially through forms and programs of the apostolate fittingly adapted to the circumstances of time and place. This purpose is drawn from the universal law of the Church and applies to the episcopal conferences which are established all over the world for the same purpose.

 

Catholic Campaign for Human Development  http://www.usccb.org/cchd

CCHD mission is to fund low-income controlled empowerment projects and to educate Catholics about the root causes of poverty within the context of the Catholic social tradition. CCHD programs are funded through an annual collection in parishes each year—of which 25% is used to fund local projects.

 

Catholic Charities USA- http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/

 

Catholic Relief Services- http://www.crs.org/act/

 

Bread for the World- http://www.bread.org/

 

Pax Christi- http://www.paxchristiusa.org/

 

National Religious Campaign Against Torture  http://www.nrcat.org/

The National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) is a growing membership organization committed to ending U.S.-sponsored torture, and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.

 

Local Justice Opportunities 

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Just Faith http://www.justfaith.org/Contact Susie Paloma at 782-3054.  Since 2005, service trips are offered from Central Iowa to New Orleans in February and August, which are coordinated through Operation Helping Hands program of Catholic Charities USA..  Service trips to Cedar Rapids to help with the rebuilding from the 2008 flood are also ongoing.  Contact Celeste Egger at 274-6483 for more info.  Click here to see pics and reflection from a past service trip

 

St. Theresa Coffee Project/Work of Human Hands  On the Social Concerns menu on the left side of this screen, click on Coffee Project/Work of Human hands.  Support Catholic Relief Services Fair Trade program by buying coffee, tea, chocolate and items for your home and gifts for your loved ones.  Contact Judy Kendzora at t.kendzora@mchsi.com for more info.

 

St. Theresa Transitional House On the Social Concerns Menu on the left side of this screen, click on St. Theresa Transitional House.  A house of justice for large, low-income families.  Contact Anne Dols at 277-2465 for more info.

 

Reggies Sleepout  http://www.reggiessleepout.org/  Annual event to raise funds and awareness of homeless youth in our community