Vol. 2, No. 23, June 26, 2019

Vol. 2, No. 23
Wednesday, June 26, 2019
Please note: The Pastoral Center offices at Cathedral Square will be closed on Thursday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day.

U.S. Bishops decry horrific death of father and daughter at the border and

the appalling conditions for children
June 26, 2019
WASHINGTON—The cry of a father and his baby daughter who drowned crossing the Rio Grande reaches heaven itself. This unspeakable consequence of a failed immigration system, together with growing reports of inhumane conditions for children in the custody of the federal government at the border, shock the conscience and demand immediate action. Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, joins Bishop Joe S. Vásquez of Austin, Chairman of the USCCB Committee on Migration, in calling on the federal government to hear the cry of the poor and vulnerable.
 
Their joint statement follows:
 
“We join with our Holy Father Pope Francis in immense sadness, having seen the horrific images of Oscar Martinez and his daughter Angie Valeria who drowned in the Rio Grande Valley while attempting to flee persecution and enter the United States. This image cries to heaven for justice.
 
“This image silences politics. Who can look on this picture and not see the results of the failures of all of us to find a humane and just solution to the immigration crisis? Sadly, this picture shows the daily plight of our brothers and sisters. Not only does their cry reach heaven. It reaches us. And it must now reach our federal government.
 
“All people, regardless of their country of origin or legal status, are made in the image of God and should be treated with dignity and respect. Recent reports of overcrowded and unsanitary conditions are appalling and unacceptable for any person in U.S. custody, but particularly for children, who are uniquely vulnerable. Such conditions cannot be used as tools of deterrence. We can and must remain a country that provides refuge for children and families fleeing violence, persecution, and acute poverty.
 
“Congress has a duty to provide additional funding to address the needs of children in federal custody. Their supplemental appropriations bill should also increase protections for immigrant children, including heightened standards and oversight for border facilities. It is possible and necessary to care for the safety of migrant children and the security of our citizens. By putting aside partisan interests, a nation as great as ours is able to do both.”
 
 
Prayer & Action in action
I spent the morning with teens participating in  this week’s Prayer & Action camp. This is the second year that our diocese is sponsoring the program for young Catholics. We were working on houses in the area around St. John the Evangelist Parish in Tucson.
Prayer & Action brings high school aged youths together to work at a mission service retreat where they help elderly or other homeowners with yard work, painting or cleaning.
The multi-day and night summer camp provides an experience that emphasizes service to others. There is work, but also fun and games and prayer. It is a program that was successful in my last  diocese and very much taught teens by giving them a better understanding of the needs of others, what they could do to help, and how wonderful it is to  be of service.
It is our hope that the experiences gained in Prayer & Action programs can become the starting ground for these teens to consider future ministries and careers dedicated to others. 
An additional camp is set to take place in Yuma from July 7 to July 12.
 
  Farewell
To Iliana Gonzales, graphic designer, who is leaving our diocese to take a position as Residence Director and assistant coach for the womens’ basketball team at the Franciscan University of Steubenville.
Iliana has been with our Communications Department for the last 15 months and during that time has been the lead designer for our diocesan newspaper, the Catholic Outlook, and also has produced beautiful posters and dynamic social media images for many of our Pastoral Center ministries.  Three of her Catholic Outlook covers were given honors at the recent Catholic Press Awards.
Please join me in wishing Iliana good luck and many blessings in her new venture.
 
Congratulations
To our Communications staff that publish our diocesan newspaper, The Catholic Outlook.

The Outlook received eight awards from the Catholic Press Association at the CPA Awards last week, including first, second and third place awards. Congratulations to editor Michael Brown and the staff. All of the department members contribute to the publications of each edition, with editing, ideas, photography, page design and graphics and online publishing. Good work!

The newspaper is available online and free of charge at each of our parishes and at affiliated Catholic Organizations. Each edition works to provide important diocesan, national and international church news to our lay faith.

Here are the awards the Outlook received:

BEST REPORTING ON SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES – Rights and Responsibilities in Spanish.
First Place
Judge's comment: This was a really great article. So often the core social beliefs of Catholicism can get lost in translation, misunderstood or forgotten, and it is important to remind people of the fundamental Catholic teachings and how they relate to social justice. The anecdote provided about Obispo Henry Granjon and his dedication to the protection of the Native population was unique and interesting and helped to provide an example of how these values have been applied by Catholic figures. The connection to the history of the Catholic press was particularly fitting for the Catholic Press Awards!

BEST COVERAGE - Immigration
Second Place
Judge's comment: The Catholic Outlook had a cover story that covered the Pope and policies on refugees that were superb. The story had historical underpinnings that provided context to current church policies. It also had powerful photography and graphics. The coverage was comprehensive with strong writing and reporting.

BEST REPORTING ON SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES - Spanish language Call to Family, Community and Participation
Third Place

Judge's comments: It talks about different dimensions of living the faith in the present time, like voting or protecting the life of children.

BEST REPORTING ON SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES – Life and Dignity of the Human Person in Spanish language
Honorable Mention
 
BEST REPORTING ON SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES - Solidarity:
Honorable Mention. This entry also was in Spanish

BEST FRONT PAGE - Tabloid
Honorable Mention. Award took into account three consecutive issues from 2018: May 2018, Parish "Stewardship", June: "Death in Nigeria" and August: "Faith in Action."